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

McPeak, 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 McPeak surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of McPeak in America

McPeak is the 9020th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McPeak surname appeared 3,625 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 McPeak.

We can also compare 2010 data for McPeak 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 McPeak

The surname McPeak is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic words "Mac" meaning "son of" and "Peac" or "Peacaidh," which refers to a person with a freckled or pockmarked complexion. This name likely emerged in the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century, in the Scottish Highlands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the McPeak name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the late 15th century, where a person named John McPeak is mentioned as a tenant farmer in Perthshire. The name also appears in various parish records and court documents from the 16th and 17th centuries in areas like Argyll, Inverness-shire, and the Scottish Borders.

In the 17th century, a notable figure named Duncan McPeak (c. 1620-1692) was a prominent Presbyterian minister and author who played a significant role in the religious struggles of the time, particularly during the Covenanting period in Scotland. His writings and sermons were widely circulated and influential.

Another individual of note was James McPeak (1744-1824), a Scottish-born soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He later settled in Pennsylvania and became a successful farmer and landowner.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the McPeak surname was found in various parts of Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Lowlands. The spelling variations included McPeake, McPeek, and McPeik, reflecting the regional dialects and pronunciation differences.

In the early 19th century, a branch of the McPeak family settled in County Antrim, Ireland, where they became prominent landowners and merchants. One member, Robert McPeak (1798-1878), was a wealthy businessman and philanthropist who supported various educational and charitable causes.

As Scottish emigrants spread throughout the British Empire and beyond, the McPeak name was carried to various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Notable individuals with this surname include:

1. William McPeak (1825-1901), a Canadian politician and businessman from Ontario.
2. John McPeak (1858-1934), an American journalist and author from Missouri.
3. Mary McPeak (1873-1959), a Scottish-born educator and suffragist who worked in New Zealand.
4. Alexander McPeak (1889-1965), a Scottish-born Australian soldier and recipient of the Military Cross during World War I.
5. Robert McPeak (1920-2008), an American artist and illustrator known for his works depicting the American West.

The McPeak surname has a rich history rooted in the Scottish Highlands, with its origins reflecting the distinctive physical characteristics of its early bearers. Over time, it has been carried to various parts of the world, leaving its mark on numerous fields and contributing to the cultural tapestry of many nations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McPeak

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

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

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

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