About Modern Distribution
Today, McCreary surname bearers are found throughout the United States, with the highest
concentrations in states where Scotch-Irish families originally settled in the 18th and
19th centuries.
Top States by Concentration
- Kentucky - Highest concentration, McCreary County named for the family
- Tennessee - Strong Eastern Tennessee presence
- North Carolina - Western mountains, Great Wagon Road heritage
- Virginia - Shenandoah Valley descendants
- Pennsylvania - Original 1718 landing point, Cumberland Valley
- Ohio - 19th-century expansion from Kentucky
- South Carolina - Piedmont/backcountry settlement
- Indiana - Old Northwest settlement
- Missouri - Gateway to the West
- Texas - Southern frontier expansion
20th Century Changes
The 20th century brought major demographic shifts:
- Urbanization - Movement from farms to cities (1900-1950)
- Great Migration - Some families moved to northern industrial cities
- WWII & Post-War - Military service and education dispersed families
- Sunbelt Migration - Retirement and economic migration to Florida, Arizona, California (1960-present)
- Professional Mobility - College education enabled national distribution
Geographic Patterns
Despite 20th-century dispersal, clear patterns remain:
- Appalachian Core - Highest concentrations remain in original settlement areas
- Midwest Presence - Strong in states settled during 19th-century expansion
- Urban Centers - Concentrations in major metropolitan areas
- Lower Density West - Fewer families in Mountain West and Pacific Northwest
Cultural Continuity
Despite geographic dispersal, McCreary families often maintain:
- Presbyterian church affiliation
- Family reunion traditions
- Genealogical research and heritage interest
- Connection to ancestral homeland (Scotland, Ulster, Appalachia)
- Educational values and achievement
Modern Genealogy
The internet age has transformed McCreary family connections:
- DNA Testing - Ancestry.com, 23andMe connect distant cousins
- Online Records - FamilySearch, Ancestry digitize historical records
- Social Media - Facebook groups unite McCreary researchers
- Virtual Reunions - Zoom enables nationwide family gatherings
Looking Forward
21st century trends suggest continued evolution:
- Remote work enables return to ancestral regions
- Heritage tourism to Scotland, Ulster, and Appalachia
- Renewed interest in Scotch-Irish history and culture
- Preservation of family stories and traditions
Concentration Legend
Very High Concentration (KY, TN)
High Concentration (NC, VA, PA)
Moderate Concentration (OH, SC, IN, MO, TX)
Low-Moderate Concentration (IL, CA, FL, GA)