Mckellar
A Scottish toponymic surname derived from a place near Ayr, meaning "the fort of Eallair."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,393 Americans carry the last name Mckellar. That puts it at #10,900 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.99 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 101,018 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mckellar 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
3.4K
1 in 101,018
Census rank
#10,900
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.9K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,921 bearers of the surname Mckellar in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.99 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 10900th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mckellar, the largest self-reported group is White at 71.7%. The next largest groups are Black (23.1%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of 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.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mckellar
Among Census respondents with the surname Mckellar, the largest self-reported group is White at 71.7%. The next largest groups are Black (23.1%) and Two or More Races (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Mckellar 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 Mckellar surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White71.7%
- Black or African American23.1%
- Two or more races2.4%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mckellar 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #10,876 | #10,900 | -0.2% |
| Count | 2,687 | 2,921 | 8.7% |
| Per 100K | 1.00 | 0.99 | -1.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mckellar bearers went from 2,687 to 2,921 (+8.7% change). The surname moved down 24 positions in the national ranking, going from #10,876 to #10,900.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mckellar
FAQ
Mckellar surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mckellar?
The surname Mckellar holds position #10,900 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,393 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.99 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mckellar surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mckellar, the largest self-reported group is White at 71.7%. The next largest groups are Black (23.1%) and Two or More Races (2.4%). 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.