Mccardell
Scottish patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Cathmhaoil, meaning "wealthy battle-chief".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,371 Americans carry the last name Mccardell. That puts it at #21,986 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.40 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 250,003 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mccardell 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
1.4K
1 in 250,003
Census rank
#21,986
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,180 bearers of the surname Mccardell in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.40 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 21986th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mccardell, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.6%. The next largest groups are Black (25.9%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mccardell
The surname MCCARDELL is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name "Carthach," which means "loving." This name was commonly found in regions like Argyll, Ayrshire, and the Hebrides islands during the Middle Ages.
The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 13th century, where it appears in the form "MacCarddell" in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document containing the names of Scottish noblemen who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.
In the 16th century, the name evolved into various spellings such as "McCardle," "McCardill," and "McCardell." This variation was likely due to the phonetic transcription of the name by English-speaking scribes and record-keepers.
One notable bearer of the MCCARDELL surname was Sir John McCardell (1592-1673), a Scottish military officer who served under King Charles I during the English Civil War. He was knighted for his bravery and loyalty on the battlefield.
Another prominent figure was Robert McCardell (1802-1880), a Scottish-born author and journalist who immigrated to the United States in the 1820s. He founded several newspapers in New York City and was an influential voice in the American literary scene.
In the 18th century, the MCCARDELL name can be found in parish records from the Isle of Islay, one of the Hebrides islands, suggesting a strong connection between the surname and this region of Scotland.
The name MCCARDELL also has a long history in Ireland, particularly in counties like Antrim and Down, where it is thought to have been introduced by Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.
One notable Irish bearer of the name was Patrick McCardell (1787-1864), a Catholic priest and educator who founded several schools in County Down and was a prominent figure in the Irish education system of his time.
Throughout the centuries, the MCCARDELL surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including farmers, soldiers, clergymen, and professionals, contributing to the rich tapestry of Scottish and Irish history and culture.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mccardell
Among Census respondents with the surname Mccardell, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.6%. The next largest groups are Black (25.9%) and Two or More Races (2.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Mccardell 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 Mccardell surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White68.6%
- Black or African American25.9%
- Two or more races2.1%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- Unknown or suppressed1.4%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mccardell 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,553 | #21,986 | -2.0% |
| Count | 1,129 | 1,180 | 4.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.42 | 0.40 | -4.8% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mccardell bearers went from 1,129 to 1,180 (+4.5% change). The surname moved down 433 positions in the national ranking, going from #21,553 to #21,986.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mccardell
FAQ
Mccardell surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mccardell?
The surname Mccardell holds position #21,986 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,371 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.40 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mccardell surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mccardell, the largest self-reported group is White at 68.6%. The next largest groups are Black (25.9%) and Two or More Races (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.