Mcculloch
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cullach," meaning "son of the boar" or "son of Cullach."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 9,563 Americans carry the last name Mcculloch. That puts it at #4,312 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.79 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 35,842 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mcculloch 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
9.6K
1 in 35,842
Census rank
#4,312
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
8.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 8,244 bearers of the surname Mcculloch in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.79 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 4312th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcculloch, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Black (3.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mcculloch
The surname McCulloch has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "cuilloch" meaning "boar" or "young boar." This suggests that the name may have been a descriptive nickname for an ancestor who possessed boar-like characteristics or lived in an area populated by these animals.
The name McCulloch is closely related to the Scottish clan MacCulloch, which held lands in the counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a document containing a list of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. Among the names listed is "Patricii Makculochi."
In the 14th century, a branch of the McCulloch family settled in the parish of Plunton, near Stirling. This is evidenced by a charter from 1368 that mentions "Robert McCulloch of Plunton." The name also appears in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in the 15th century, where a "John McCulloch" is recorded as holding lands in Wigtown.
One of the notable McCullochs in history was Sir Humphrey McCulloch (c. 1470-1536), a Scottish diplomat and clergyman who served as the Lord Privy Seal of Scotland under King James V. He played a significant role in the negotiations that led to the marriage of James V to Princess Madeleine of France.
Another prominent figure was Benjamin McCulloch (1811-1862), a Texan soldier and officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was born in Tennessee and gained fame for his military exploits, particularly his victory at the Battle of Valverde in 1862, before being killed later that year at the Battle of Pea Ridge.
In the literary world, John McCulloch (1789-1864) was a Scottish geographer, statistician, and author who published numerous works on geography, economics, and history. His most notable work was "A Descriptive and Statistical Account of the British Empire" (1824).
The name McCulloch has also been associated with several place names in Scotland, such as McCulloch's Castle in Wigtownshire and the village of McCulloch Bridge in Kirkcudbrightshire, further emphasizing the family's historical ties to the region.
While variations in spelling, such as McCullough and McCullagh, exist, the McCulloch surname has maintained a strong connection to its Scottish heritage and has been carried by individuals of note throughout history.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mcculloch
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcculloch, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Black (3.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Mcculloch 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 Mcculloch surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.9%
- Black or African American3.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mcculloch 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 | #4,087 | #4,312 | -5.5% |
| Count | 8,021 | 8,244 | 2.8% |
| Per 100K | 2.97 | 2.79 | -6.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mcculloch bearers went from 8,021 to 8,244 (+2.8% change). The surname moved down 225 positions in the national ranking, going from #4,087 to #4,312.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mcculloch
FAQ
Mcculloch surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mcculloch?
The surname Mcculloch holds position #4,312 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 9,563 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.79 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mcculloch surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcculloch, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Black (3.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%). 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.