Macrae
Son of grace, or son of the fortunate one.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 2,708 Americans carry the last name Macrae. That puts it at #13,138 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.79 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 126,571 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Macrae 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
2.7K
1 in 126,571
Census rank
#13,138
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.3K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,330 bearers of the surname Macrae in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.79 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 13138th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Macrae, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Black (2.4%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Macrae
The surname MACRAE has its origins in the Scottish Highlands, tracing back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacRath," which means "son of grace" or "son of fortune." The name is believed to have originated in the region of Ross-shire, particularly around the areas of Easter Ross and the Black Isle.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homages rendered to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "MacRath," suggesting its ancient Gaelic roots. Over time, the spelling evolved into various forms, such as MacRae, MacRae, and MacCrae, before settling on the modern spelling of MACRAE.
The MACRAE name has been linked to several historical figures and events. In the 16th century, a branch of the clan played a prominent role in the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547, where they fought alongside the Scottish forces against the English army. One notable MACRAE from this period was Reverend Christopher MACRAE (1552-1622), a Scottish minister and author who wrote extensively on religious matters.
During the 17th century, the MACRAE clan was involved in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, with many members supporting the Royalist cause. One of the most famous figures from this era was Sir Colin MACRAE (1604-1689), a Scottish soldier and chief of the MACRAE clan, who fought alongside the Marquis of Montrose in the Scottish Civil War.
In the 18th century, the MACRAE name gained further prominence with the exploits of Gillies MACRAE (1734-1808), a Scottish soldier and adventurer who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is known for his daring escape from a British prison ship and his subsequent efforts to aid the patriot cause.
Another notable MACRAE was John MACRAE (1808-1892), a Scottish-born explorer and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of natural history in Australia. He is renowned for his extensive collections of plant and animal specimens, as well as his detailed observations of the Australian landscape and indigenous cultures.
Throughout history, the MACRAE surname has been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Inverinate in Ross-shire, where the MACRAE clan had a significant presence. The name has also been linked to locations like Clachan Srath in Badenoch, which was once a MACRAE stronghold.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Macrae
Among Census respondents with the surname Macrae, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Black (2.4%) and Hispanic (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Macrae 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 Macrae surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.1%
- Black or African American2.4%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
- Two or more races1.2%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Macrae 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 | #13,138 | #13,138 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,330 | 2,330 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.79 | 0.79 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Macrae bearers went from 2,330 to 2,330 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #13,138 to #13,138.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Macrae
FAQ
Macrae surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Macrae?
The surname Macrae holds position #13,138 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 2,708 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.79 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Macrae surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Macrae, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.1%. The next largest groups are Black (2.4%) and Hispanic (2.1%). 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.