NameCensus.

UK surname

Mulgrew

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "mulgrewaidh" meaning tub-shaped hill or promontory.

In the 1881 census there were 145 people recorded with the Mulgrew surname, ranking it #15,838 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 897, ranked #6,321, up from #15,838 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Balfron, Govan Combination and Killearn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness and Bridge of Earn and Abernethy.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mulgrew is 902 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 518.6%.

1881 census count

145

Ranked #15,838

Modern count

897

2016, ranked #6,321

Peak year

2014

902 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mulgrew had 145 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,838 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 897 in 2016, ranked #6,321.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 298 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Mulgrew surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mulgrew surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mulgrew 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 49 #24,448
1861 historical 58 #26,585
1881 historical 145 #15,838
1891 historical 237 #13,242
1901 historical 298 #11,695
1911 historical 119 #20,535
1997 modern 756 #6,844
1998 modern 774 #6,938
1999 modern 786 #6,901
2000 modern 773 #6,955
2001 modern 766 #6,876
2002 modern 802 #6,761
2003 modern 772 #6,848
2004 modern 768 #6,898
2005 modern 781 #6,729
2006 modern 810 #6,557
2007 modern 800 #6,691
2008 modern 825 #6,572
2009 modern 848 #6,576
2010 modern 899 #6,389
2011 modern 884 #6,413
2012 modern 854 #6,508
2013 modern 882 #6,445
2014 modern 902 #6,364
2015 modern 902 #6,318
2016 modern 897 #6,321

Geography

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Where Mulgrews are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Balfron, Govan Combination, Killearn, Durham St Oswald and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness, Bridge of Earn and Abernethy, Uddingston and Gardenside and Port Glasgow Upper, West and Central. 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 Balfron Stirling
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Killearn Stirling
4 Durham St Oswald Durham
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 004 Allerdale
2 Barrow-in-Furness 010 Barrow-in-Furness
3 Bridge of Earn and Abernethy Perth and Kinross
4 Uddingston and Gardenside South Lanarkshire
5 Port Glasgow Upper, West and Central Inverclyde

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mulgrew

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mulgrew

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mulgrew, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Mulgrew surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Mulgrew household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mulgrew is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mulgrew is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mulgrew falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mulgrew 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mulgrew

The surname Mulgrew has its origins in Scotland, emerging in the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "mul" meaning "summit" or "hillock" and "cruaidh" meaning "hard" or "firm," suggesting the name was originally given to someone who lived on or near a rocky hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of Scottish nobles who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England. Here, the name appears as "Mulgrew." Over time, variations in spelling emerged, such as Mulgrue, Mulgrieu, and Mulgrou.

The name is associated with the Scottish county of Argyll, particularly the area around Loch Lomond. In the 16th century, a prominent Mulgrew family owned lands near the village of Arrochar, situated on the western shores of the loch. Records from this period mention a John Mulgrew, who was born around 1520 and served as a local laird (landowner).

During the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 14th century, a Sir William Mulgrew is mentioned in chronicles as a valiant warrior who fought alongside Robert the Bruce. He is said to have been present at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where the Scots defeated the English forces of King Edward II.

In the 17th century, the Mulgrew name appears in the records of the Clan Campbell, one of the largest and most influential clans in the Scottish Highlands. A notable figure from this time was Duncan Mulgrew, born in 1640, who was a respected scholar and author of several works on Scottish history and culture.

Other notable individuals with the surname Mulgrew include:

1. Sir Patrick Mulgrew (1785-1864), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the textile industry. 2. Mary Mulgrew (1867-1938), a Scottish poet and novelist known for her works depicting life in the Highlands. 3. John Mulgrew (1892-1971), a Scottish-born American architect who designed several prominent buildings in New York City. 4. Catherine Mulgrew (1918-2008), a Scottish actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout the 20th century. 5. Kate Mulgrew (born 1955), an American actress best known for her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway on the TV series Star Trek: Voyager.

While the Mulgrew name has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread across the world, carried by emigrants and their descendants. However, its origins can be traced back to the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, where it was borne by generations of individuals who called those lands home.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mulgrew families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mulgrew 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. Stirlingshire leads with 41 Mulgrews recorded in 1881 and an index of 78.60x.

County Total Index
Stirlingshire 41 78.60x
Lancashire 23 1.37x
Lanarkshire 18 3.94x
Durham 16 3.80x
Angus 9 6.87x
Dunbartonshire 8 21.05x
Worcestershire 8 4.33x
Ayrshire 5 4.72x
Brecknockshire 5 17.68x
Northumberland 5 2.38x
Renfrewshire 5 4.56x
Hampshire 1 0.35x
Staffordshire 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Balfron in Stirlingshire leads with 19 Mulgrews recorded in 1881 and an index of 2968.75x.

Place Total Index
Balfron 19 2968.75x
Kilsyth 14 420.42x
Framwellgate 12 481.93x
Barony 8 6.91x
Stourbridge 8 168.42x
Liverpool 7 6.87x
Old Kilpatrick 7 155.90x
Walton On Hill 7 77.01x
Preston 6 13.36x
Bothwell 5 40.32x
Brecknock St John 5 210.08x
Cowpen 5 103.09x
Dundee 5 10.22x
Killearn 5 909.09x
Abbey 4 23.92x
St Vigeans 4 56.58x
Ardrossan 3 81.97x
Govan 3 2.65x
Layton With Warbreck 3 48.70x
Benfieldside 2 72.20x
Buchanan 1 370.37x
Cadder 1 29.59x
Carluke 1 24.10x
Drymen 1 142.86x
Dumbarton 1 18.90x
Esh 1 32.68x
Kilmarnock 1 7.94x
Portsmouth 1 14.99x
Stevenston 1 36.23x
Strathblane 1 153.85x
West Greenock 1 5.08x
Whittington 1 102.04x
Wolsingham 1 26.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Ellen 4
Ann 3
Annie 2
Elizabeth 2
Margaret 2
Sarah 2
A.P. 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Jane 1
Letty 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Selena 1
Veronica 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
James 4
Patrick 4
Thomas 3
Michael 2
Edward 1
Francis 1
Peter 1
Willm. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mulgrew households.

FAQ

Mulgrew surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mulgrew surname in 1881?

In 1881, 145 people were recorded with the Mulgrew surname. That placed it at #15,838 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mulgrew surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 897 in 2016. That gives Mulgrew a modern rank of #6,321.

What does the Mulgrew surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "mulgrewaidh" meaning tub-shaped hill or promontory.

What does the Mulgrew map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mulgrew 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.