Find out how popular the last name McCune is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named McCune.

McCune, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the McCune surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McCune in America

McCune is the 3715th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McCune surname appeared 9,549 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname McCune.

We can also compare 2010 data for McCune to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name McCune

The surname McCune has its origins in Scotland, with records dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic Mac Cuinn, meaning "son of Conn." Conn was a personal name that held significance in ancient Irish and Scottish history, often associated with kings and warriors.

The earliest recorded instances of the McCune surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage rolls submitted to King Edward I of England. These rolls documented Scottish landowners and prominent individuals who swore allegiance to the English king during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

During the Middle Ages, the McCune family was predominantly concentrated in the regions of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, located in the western central lowlands of Scotland. The name is closely linked to the historic parish of Kilwinning in Ayrshire, where a branch of the McCune clan is believed to have originated.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the McCune surname was Robert McCune, a Scottish clergyman who served as the Bishop of Raphoe in Ireland from 1571 to 1589. Another prominent individual was John McCune, a Scottish Presbyterian minister who lived in the late 17th century and was known for his role in the Covenanters' struggle for religious freedom.

In the 18th century, the McCune name gained recognition through individuals like Archibald McCune, a Scottish merchant and landowner who lived from 1707 to 1785. He was known for his extensive business ventures and acquisition of significant landholdings in the Ayrshire region.

As the McCune family spread throughout the centuries, various spelling variations emerged, including McCoon, McCoune, and McQuin. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the phonetic interpretation of the name by scribes and record-keepers.

One notable figure from the 19th century was John McCune Smith, an African-American physician, abolitionist, and educator who lived from 1823 to 1863. He played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of African Americans and was the first African American to hold a medical degree and obtain a professorship at a university in the United States.

Another significant individual with the McCune surname was George McCune, an American Presbyterian missionary who lived from 1808 to 1835. He was one of the first American missionaries to establish a Christian presence in Siam (now Thailand) and made significant contributions to the translation of religious texts into the Thai language.

The McCune surname has a rich history rooted in Scotland, with connections to influential figures spanning various fields, including religion, commerce, and social activism. While the name's origins can be traced back to the 12th century, its legacy continues to endure across generations and geographical boundaries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McCune

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname McCune.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for McCune was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of McCune has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name McCune was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of McCune, please contact us.

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