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

McNeece, 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 McNeece surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McNeece in America

McNeece is the 31629th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McNeece surname appeared 731 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 McNeece.

We can also compare 2010 data for McNeece 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 McNeece

The surname MCNEECE has its origins in Scotland, where it emerged in the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic name "MacNice," which means "son of the passionate one." The name may have evolved from an earlier form, such as "MacNish" or "MacNaish," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.

Historical records indicate that the MCNEECE surname was prevalent in the western Scottish Highlands, particularly in the areas of Argyll and the Hebrides islands. The earliest known reference to the name dates back to the late 13th century, when a certain Gillechrist MacNice was mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1292.

In the 16th century, the MCNEECE name appeared in several historical documents, including the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland. One notable bearer of the name from this period was John McNeece, a laird (landowner) who was recorded in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented the Scottish nobility's pledge of allegiance to King Edward I of England.

The McNeece family played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence, with several members fighting alongside William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. One such individual was Duncan McNeece, who participated in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, a pivotal victory for the Scots against the English.

As the centuries passed, the MCNEECE surname spread beyond Scotland, with many bearers settling in Ireland, particularly in the Ulster region. By the 17th century, the name had also found its way to the Americas, with several McNeece families establishing roots in the British colonies.

One prominent figure with the MCNEECE surname was Robert McNeece (1721-1795), a Scottish-born soldier and surveyor who served in the British colonial militia during the French and Indian War. He later became a prominent landowner and community leader in what is now West Virginia.

Another notable McNeece was James McNeece (1810-1878), an Irish-born artist and painter who achieved recognition for his landscapes and portraits. His works are held in several prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Ireland.

In the 19th century, John McNeece (1828-1905) made a name for himself as a successful businessman and banker in Pennsylvania. He founded the McNeece Bank, which played a crucial role in the economic development of the region.

The MCNEECE surname has also been associated with academic and literary achievements. One such figure was Margaret McNeece (1874-1952), a Scottish-born educator and author who wrote extensively on topics related to education and children's literature.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the MCNEECE surname throughout history, contributing to various fields and leaving their mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of the regions they inhabited.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McNeece

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

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

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

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