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

McDonald's, 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 McDonald's surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of McDonald's in America

McDonald's is the 90252nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McDonald's surname appeared 190 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname McDonald's.

The history of the last name McDonald's

The surname McDonalds originates from Scotland, specifically the Highlands, and dates back to the early Middle Ages. It is an Anglicized form derived from the Gaelic name MacDhòmhnaill, which translates to "son of Domhnall." The name Domhnall itself is composed of the Gaelic elements "domno," meaning "world," and "val," meaning "might" or "rule." This signifies "world ruler."

The McDonalds clan is one of the oldest and most notable in Scottish history, with the earliest records appearing in the 12th century. The name McDonald, comprising the clans MacDonald and Donald, has earlier mentions in medieval Scottish texts such as the Annals of Ulster and the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba. A variant spelling, MacDonell, was also common and can be traced back to the same origins.

One of the earliest recorded examples is Angus Mor MacDonald, born in the early 13th century, who was a prominent figure in Scotland and held the title of Lord of the Isles. Historical references also include Alastair MacDonald, who played a significant role during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

Donald MacDonald, born around 1580, was another notable figure, known for his leadership during the early years of the Scottish colonization of Ulster. Further historical references include Flora MacDonald, born in 1722, famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

In the 19th century, Ranald George MacDonald, born in 1788, earned recognition for his part in the Great Highland Emigration and his efforts to maintain Scottish culture in North America. Each of these individuals has contributed to the historical tapestry associated with the surname McDonalds. The name remains a symbol of rich Scottish heritage and enduring legacy throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McDonald's

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname McDonald's.

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for McDonald's 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.

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 McDonald's was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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