McCracken

What is the origin of the last name McCracken?

Scottish originPatronymic (from a parent or ancestor)Rank #1,862 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name McCracken is of Gaelic origin and can be traced back to Scotland and Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Riocaird, meaning "son of Richard." Variations of the name include MacCraith, MacCrea, and MacCrachan. McCracken is a patronymic name indicating descent from an ancestor named Richard.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

Similar spellings

#1,862

McCracken was the 1,862nd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 19,287 people, about 6.2 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

White (non-Hispanic)92.2%
Hispanic or Latino1.9%
Black (non-Hispanic)3.3%
Asian or Pacific Islander0.5%
Two or more races1.7%
American Indian or Alaska Native0.5%

Where it is found

Countries linked to McCracken.

Surnames like McCracken

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

Forebears: where McCracken is found around the world
The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.