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

McKellar, 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 McKellar surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McKellar in America

McKellar is the 10900th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McKellar surname appeared 2,921 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 McKellar.

We can also compare 2010 data for McKellar 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 McKellar

The surname McKellar has its origins in Scotland, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is a locational name derived from the lands of Kellar or Keillor, located in the former counties of Angus and Perthshire. The name is believed to have derived from the Gaelic words "cill" meaning church and "fholair" meaning pool or marsh, suggesting a connection to a church near a marshy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 14th century, where a Willelmus de Kelore is mentioned in the Records of the Abbey of Cupar in 1366. This early spelling variation highlights the evolving nature of the name over time.

In the 16th century, the McKellar family held significant influence in the Angus region. The Household Books of James V, King of Scots, mention a John McKellar who served as the King's Tailor in 1537. This record provides insight into the family's prominence during that era.

The McKellars were also involved in the Scottish Reformation, with John McKellar being listed as a reader at the Kirk of Auchterderran in Fife in 1567. This connection to religious affairs further underscores the name's potential ecclesiastical origins.

Notable individuals with the McKellar surname include:

1. Kenneth McKellar (1927-2010), a renowned Scottish tenor known for his performances of traditional Scottish songs.
2. John McKellar (1734-1778), a Scottish-born soldier who served in the American Revolutionary War and was a member of the Culper Spy Ring.
3. Janice McKellar (born 1939), a Canadian actress best known for her role as Miss Crabtree on the television series "The Little Rascals."
4. David McKellar (born 1935), an Australian mathematician and author who has written extensively on mathematics and its applications.
5. Archibald McKellar (1812-1894), a Scottish-born businessman and politician who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons.

The McKellar surname has endured through centuries, with its origins firmly rooted in Scotland's rich history and cultural traditions. Its presence in various historical records and its association with notable individuals reflect the name's significance and longevity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McKellar

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

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

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

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