Macdougal
A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "son of Dougal".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 548 Americans carry the last name Macdougal. That puts it at #45,653 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 625,464 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Macdougal surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
548
1 in 625,464
Census rank
#45,653
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
468
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 468 bearers of the surname Macdougal in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 45653rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Macdougal, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Black (3.0%) and Hispanic (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Macdougal
The surname MacDougal is of Scottish origin and dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic name MacDougaill, which means "son of Dougall". The name Dougall itself is a variant of the name Dugald or Dougal, which comes from the Gaelic name Dúngal, meaning "brown stranger" or "brown valor".
The MacDougals were a prominent family in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the region of Argyll and Lorne. They were a branch of the Clan MacDonald and played a significant role in the feuds and battles that shaped the history of the Scottish clans.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name MacDougal can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of agreements made by Scottish nobles and gentry to recognize Edward I of England as their overlord. Several individuals with the surname MacDougal are listed in these rolls.
In the 14th century, John MacDougal, Lord of Lorne, was a powerful figure in Scottish politics. He was involved in the Wars of Scottish Independence and fought alongside Robert the Bruce. Another notable member of the MacDougal clan was Dougal MacDougall, who was the head of the clan in the late 16th century and played a role in the Jacobite risings.
The MacDougals were also associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Dunollie Castle in Argyll, which was the ancient seat of the MacDougal chiefs. The name "Dunollie" is derived from the Gaelic "Dun Ollaigh", meaning "fort of the principal family".
In the 17th century, Sir Duncan MacDougal of Dunollie (1601-1669) was a prominent figure who supported the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was later knighted by King Charles II in recognition of his loyalty.
Other notable individuals with the surname MacDougal include:
1. James MacDougal (1800-1871), a Scottish-American businessman and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.
2. William MacDougal (1642-1696), a Scottish-American printer and publisher who established the first printing press in New York City.
3. Alexander MacDougal (1732-1786), a Scottish-American soldier who served as a Brigadier General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
4. Ranald MacDougall (1915-1973), a Scottish-American screenwriter and novelist best known for his work on the film "Macao".
5. Katharine MacDougal (1949-present), an American actress and singer who has appeared in various films and television shows.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Macdougal
Among Census respondents with the surname Macdougal, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Black (3.0%) and Hispanic (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Macdougal bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Macdougal surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.4%
- Black or African American3.0%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Macdougal surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #45,653 | #45,653 | 0.0% |
| Count | 468 | 468 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Macdougal bearers went from 468 to 468 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #45,653 to #45,653.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Macdougal
FAQ
Macdougal surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Macdougal?
The surname Macdougal holds position #45,653 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 548 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Macdougal surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Macdougal, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.4%. The next largest groups are Black (3.0%) and Hispanic (1.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.