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

McLinden, 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 McLinden surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McLinden in America

McLinden is the 41886th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McLinden surname appeared 519 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname McLinden.

We can also compare 2010 data for McLinden 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 McLinden

The surname MCLINDEN is of Scottish origin, with its roots traced back to the late 16th century. It is believed to be a variant of the Scottish surname McLinden, derived from the Gaelic "mac Gille Fhinnein," meaning "son of the servant of St. Finnan."

This name is closely associated with the Scottish Highlands, particularly in regions like Argyll and Perthshire, where the veneration of St. Finnan was widespread. The earliest recorded instances of the name appear in parish records and local histories from these areas.

One notable historical reference to the MCLINDEN surname can be found in the "Annals of Loch Cé," a 15th-century Irish chronicle. This manuscript mentions a "Gillebride McLinden" who was involved in a conflict with the O'Conors in the year 1418.

The MCLINDEN surname has seen various spellings over the centuries, including McLinden, McLyndyn, and McLynden. These variations often reflected regional dialects and the inconsistencies in record-keeping practices of the time.

Among the earliest recorded examples of individuals bearing the MCLINDEN surname are:

1. Angus MCLINDEN (c. 1590 – 1670), a prominent landowner and clan chief in Argyll.
2. Malcolm MCLINDEN (1625 – 1698), a Scottish Presbyterian minister who served in Paisley.
3. Catherine MCLINDEN (1710 – 1782), a notable figure in the Jacobite Risings, known for her support of the Stuart cause.

As the name spread beyond Scotland, it also gained recognition in other parts of the British Isles and, later, in North America. Notable individuals with the MCLINDEN surname include:

1. Robert MCLINDEN (1812 – 1893), an Irish-born politician and judge who served in Canada.
2. Elizabeth MCLINDEN (1873 – 1956), an American educator and advocate for the rights of the blind.
3. James MCLINDEN (1895 – 1972), a Scottish-born Canadian soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross during World War I.
4. William MCLINDEN (1922 – 2008), an English author and historian known for his works on medieval Scotland.
5. Mary MCLINDEN (born 1962), an American disability rights activist and entrepreneur.

While the MCLINDEN surname may not be among the most common in the present day, its rich history and connections to Scottish heritage continue to be a source of pride for those who bear it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McLinden

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

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

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

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