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

McGary, 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 McGary surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McGary in America

McGary is the 10219th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McGary surname appeared 3,154 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname McGary.

We can also compare 2010 data for McGary 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 McGary

The surname MCGARY is of Scottish origin, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "MacGearaidh," which translates to "son of Gerard." This suggests that the name may have been derived from a personal name or patronymic, indicating the lineage of the family.

MCGARY can be traced back to the ancient Scottish Highlands, where it was predominantly found in the regions of Argyll and the Isles. The name's earliest recorded spelling was "MacGerrie," which was documented in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a significant historical record that lists Scottish nobles and landowners who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England.

During the 16th century, the MCGARY name appeared in various legal documents and charters in the Highlands, often associated with land grants and property ownership. One notable mention was in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1528, where a John McGary was listed as a landowner in the county of Argyll.

As the centuries passed, the name evolved into different spellings, such as McGarry, McGarrie, and McGarrigle, reflecting the phonetic variations common in the era. In the 17th century, a branch of the MCGARY family settled in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the regions of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.

Among the notable individuals bearing the MCGARY surname throughout history are:

1. John McGary (c. 1600-1670), a Scottish soldier who fought in the English Civil War and later served as a member of the Parliament of Scotland.
2. William McGary (1760-1825), a Scottish-American pioneer and Revolutionary War veteran, who played a crucial role in the settlement of Kentucky.
3. Hugh McGary (1805-1881), an American politician and lawyer from Tennessee, who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.
4. Robert McGary (1880-1952), a Scottish-born American industrialist and businessman, known for his contributions to the automotive industry in Detroit.
5. Eileen McGary (1920-2005), an American actress and singer, who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and television shows during the mid-20th century.

The MCGARY name has a rich history deeply rooted in Scottish heritage, with its origins dating back to the medieval era. Despite various spelling variations over time, the surname has maintained its distinct identity and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, from military service to politics, business, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McGary

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

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 McGary 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 McGary 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 McGary was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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