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

McNeely, 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 McNeely surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McNeely in America

McNeely is the 3183rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McNeely surname appeared 11,350 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname McNeely.

We can also compare 2010 data for McNeely 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 McNeely

The surname McNeely has its origins in Scotland, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is a variant of the Gaelic name "Mac Naomhall," which translates to "son of the servant of the storm god." This suggests that the name may have originated from a clan or family with ties to ancient pagan beliefs or associations with the natural elements.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name appeared with various spellings, including MacNeillie, McNeillie, and McNele, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in those times. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded the names of Scottish noblemen who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

The McNeely surname has strong connections to the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Argyll and the Western Isles. It is believed that the name may have originated in or around the Isle of Islay, where several notable McNeely families resided in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Historical records from the 16th century mention a John McNeely, who was a prominent landowner and chieftain in the Argyll region. Another notable figure was Lachlan McNeely, a Scottish soldier who fought alongside William Wallace in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th century.

The McNeelys played a significant role in the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries, with several members of the clan supporting the cause of the exiled Stuart monarchy. One such figure was Duncan McNeely, a Jacobite commander who led a regiment at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

In the 19th century, the McNeely surname gained recognition with the birth of John McNeely (1815-1890), a prominent Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Another notable figure was Agnes McNeely (1860-1942), a Scottish suffragette and activist who campaigned for women's rights and social reform.

As the McNeely family spread across Scotland and beyond, variations of the name emerged, such as McNeillie and McNelly, reflecting regional dialects and spellings. The surname has also been found in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, where it may have been adopted by Scottish settlers during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McNeely

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

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

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

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