Mcgavin
A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "Gamhanach" meaning "born of a cleric or monk".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 651 Americans carry the last name Mcgavin. That puts it at #39,352 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.19 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 526,504 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mcgavin 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
651
1 in 526,504
Census rank
#39,352
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
559
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 559 bearers of the surname Mcgavin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 39352nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcgavin, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mcgavin
The surname McGavin has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacGobhann," which means "son of the smith" or "son of the metalworker." This name originated in the Scottish Highlands and was initially used to identify individuals whose fathers were skilled in metalworking or blacksmithing.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable reference is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, which mentions a "Gillecrist MacGobhann" from the county of Argyll. Another early record is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists several individuals with variations of the name, such as "Gillecrist McGowan" and "Gylmychel McGouan."
Over time, the name evolved and took on different spellings, including McGavin, McGavine, McGavyn, and McGowan. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individual scribes or record-keepers. In the 16th century, the name McGavin began to emerge as a more common spelling.
One notable individual with the surname McGavin was Sir Robert McGavin (1607-1673), a Scottish merchant and landowner who served as a member of the Scottish Parliament and was knighted by King Charles II. Another prominent figure was Reverend William McGavin (1773-1832), a Scottish minister and author who wrote extensively on religious and historical topics.
In later centuries, the name McGavin spread beyond Scotland as members of the clan migrated to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to other countries. William McGavin (1837-1914), a Scottish-born businessman, founded the McGavin's Bakeries chain in Canada, which became a major supplier of bread and baked goods across North America.
Other notable individuals with the surname include John McGavin (1918-1985), an American actor known for his roles in films and television shows such as "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." Additionally, Neil McGavin (born 1934) is a Scottish actor who has appeared in numerous television series, including "The Professionals" and "Minder."
While the name McGavin has evolved and spread over the centuries, it remains firmly rooted in its Scottish heritage, carrying with it a connection to the skilled metalworkers and blacksmiths of the medieval Highlands.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mcgavin
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcgavin, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Mcgavin 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 Mcgavin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.6%
- Hispanic or Latino4.3%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mcgavin 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 | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #39,352 | #39,352 | 0.0% |
| Count | 559 | 559 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Mcgavin bearers went from 559 to 559 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #39,352 to #39,352.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mcgavin
FAQ
Mcgavin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mcgavin?
The surname Mcgavin holds position #39,352 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 651 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.19 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mcgavin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mcgavin, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.3%). 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.