NameCensus.

UK surname

Muckle

A Scottish surname derived from the Scottish word "muckle" meaning large or great.

In the 1881 census there were 336 people recorded with the Muckle surname, ranking it #8,996 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 428, ranked #11,234, down from #8,996 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Norham, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Lancaster and North Tyneside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Muckle is 453 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.4%.

1881 census count

336

Ranked #8,996

Modern count

428

2016, ranked #11,234

Peak year

2010

453 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Muckle had 336 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,996 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 428 in 2016, ranked #11,234.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 390 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Muckle surname distribution map

The map shows where the Muckle surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Muckle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Muckle over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 232 #9,296
1861 historical 177 #13,265
1881 historical 336 #8,996
1891 historical 354 #9,741
1901 historical 382 #9,775
1911 historical 390 #9,455
1997 modern 422 #10,571
1998 modern 441 #10,560
1999 modern 443 #10,577
2000 modern 427 #10,867
2001 modern 419 #10,835
2002 modern 444 #10,553
2003 modern 438 #10,507
2004 modern 433 #10,644
2005 modern 423 #10,713
2006 modern 426 #10,712
2007 modern 424 #10,867
2008 modern 428 #10,869
2009 modern 433 #11,031
2010 modern 453 #10,858
2011 modern 451 #10,766
2012 modern 435 #10,959
2013 modern 436 #11,106
2014 modern 438 #11,149
2015 modern 436 #11,099
2016 modern 428 #11,234

Geography

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Where Muckles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Norham, London parishes, Gateshead, Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Lancaster and North Tyneside. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Norham Northumberland
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
5 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 007 Northumberland
2 Lancaster 020 Lancaster
3 Northumberland 005 Northumberland
4 North Tyneside 019 North Tyneside
5 Northumberland 011 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Muckle

These lists show first names that appear often with the Muckle surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Muckle

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Muckle, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Muckle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Muckle household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Muckle is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Muckle is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Muckle falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Muckle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Muckle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Muckle

The surname Muckle originated in Scotland, derived from the Scots language word "muckle," which means "large" or "great." The name likely arose as a descriptive nickname for someone of considerable size or stature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the late 13th century in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of Scottish homage rolls from 1296. The name appears as "Muckle" in these records, indicating its Scottish roots and early usage.

In the 14th century, the name can be found in various forms in Scottish historical records, such as "Muckill" and "Muckyll." These variations suggest the name's evolution over time and reflect the regional dialects in different parts of Scotland.

The name Muckle has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person is Sir John Muckle (1540-1598), a Scottish landowner and politician who served as a member of the Parliament of Scotland during the reign of Queen Mary.

Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Robert Muckle (1720-1789), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Edinburgh, including funding the construction of the Muckle Hall, a public assembly room.

In the 17th century, the name Muckle appeared in various place names in Scotland, such as Muckle Roe in the Shetland Islands and Muckle Moss in East Lothian. These place names further reinforce the Scottish origins of the surname and its connection to the local geography.

The Muckle family has also produced notable individuals in other fields, such as Alexander Muckle (1870-1942), a Scottish architect who designed several buildings in Edinburgh, and John Muckle (1837-1909), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria.

While the surname Muckle is not among the most common in Scotland, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various areas, from politics and business to architecture and public service.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Muckle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Muckle surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Northumberland leads with 132 Muckles recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.83x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 132 26.83x
Kent 50 4.43x
Middlesex 26 0.79x
Durham 24 2.44x
Aberdeenshire 15 4.90x
Lancashire 14 0.36x
Yorkshire 14 0.43x
Essex 11 1.69x
Berwickshire 10 24.98x
Surrey 8 0.50x
Lanarkshire 7 0.65x
Cumberland 6 2.11x
Hertfordshire 5 2.19x
Renfrewshire 3 1.17x
Somerset 3 0.56x
Staffordshire 3 0.27x
Royal Navy 2 5.08x
Anglesey 1 1.71x
Angus 1 0.33x
Banffshire 1 1.46x
Denbighshire 1 0.80x
Isle of Man 1 1.63x
Roxburghshire 1 1.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Norham in Northumberland leads with 27 Muckles recorded in 1881 and an index of 2477.06x.

Place Total Index
Norham 27 2477.06x
Chatton 22 1456.95x
Morpeth 19 328.15x
Gateshead 16 21.72x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 14 24.43x
Deptford St Nicholas 14 156.42x
Alnwick 13 153.66x
Lewisham 12 19.95x
Tynemouth 11 41.75x
Woolwich 10 23.99x
Barrow In Furness 9 16.86x
Deptford St Paul 8 9.19x
Detchant 8 6666.67x
Swinton 8 733.95x
Barony 7 2.59x
Hampton London 7 128.68x
Monk Bretton 7 210.84x
St Marylebone London 7 3.96x
West Thurrock 7 322.58x
Cramlington 6 92.31x
Cullercoates 6 387.10x
Lambeth 6 2.08x
Islington London 5 1.56x
Wallsend 5 32.05x
Brandon Byshottles 4 32.47x
Bullers Green 4 1081.08x
Above Derwent 3 283.02x
Charlton Next Woolwich 3 25.49x
Eastwood 3 19.01x
Elstree 3 400.00x
Elswick 3 7.64x
Handsworth 3 10.91x
Keswick 3 82.42x
Lamesley 3 56.60x
Plumstead 3 7.98x
Sculcoates 3 5.77x
Wrington 3 167.60x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 2 17.84x
Broughton In Salford 2 5.57x
Chigwell 2 32.47x
Kirkdale 2 3.03x
Royal Navy 2 5.94x
Shilbottle 2 416.67x
Teddington London 2 26.70x
Arthington 1 196.08x
Barnsley 1 2.96x
Battersea 1 0.82x
Bedford 1 12.18x
Bermondsey 1 1.02x
Berwick Upon Tweed 1 9.60x
Blenkinsopp 1 120.48x
Chelmsford 1 8.93x
Cresswell 1 454.55x
Cullen 1 39.37x
Douglas 1 112.36x
East Ham 1 8.26x
Eyemouth 1 29.94x
Hampstead London 1 1.94x
Holyhead 1 9.15x
Hutton 1 90.91x
Llanarmon 1 52.63x
Monifieth 1 9.24x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 1 3.40x
St Albans 1 21.41x
St Albans St Michael 1 39.22x
St George Hanover 1 2.32x
St Nicholas 1 526.32x
St Pancras London 1 0.38x
Westgate 1 3.28x
Westminster St James 1 2.94x
Westoe 1 1.79x
Willesden 1 3.21x
Wooler 1 57.80x
Yetholm 1 84.75x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Muckle surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Jane 18
Mary 18
Elizabeth 16
Margaret 11
Alice 6
Catherine 6
Eliza 6
Sarah 6
Annie 5
Hannah 5
Margt. 5
Agnes 3
Ann 3
Isabella 3
Bertha 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Elisabeth 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Louisa 2
Selina 2
Susan 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
B.Eliza 1
Catharine 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Eleanor 1
Eleiner 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
Jessie 1
Josephine 1
Kate 1
Lilian 1
Lily 1
Lydia 1
Margery 1
Marion 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
Rossanna 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Muckle surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 19
Robert 17
William 17
George 13
Thomas 11
James 9
Edward 5
Joseph 5
Alfred 4
Wm. 4
Charles 3
David 3
Richard 3
Andrew 2
Henry 2
Mark 2
Paul 2
Peter 2
Alexander 1
Arthur 1
Augustus 1
Ebenezer 1
Edwd.Willm. 1
Ernest 1
Ernst 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Gillford 1
Hardy 1
Harold 1
Jno. 1
Patrick 1
Ralph 1
Th.Edwd. 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wm.Edwd. 1
Wm.Peter 1

FAQ

Muckle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Muckle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 336 people were recorded with the Muckle surname. That placed it at #8,996 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Muckle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 428 in 2016. That gives Muckle a modern rank of #11,234.

What does the Muckle surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Scottish word "muckle" meaning large or great.

What does the Muckle map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Muckle bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.