NameCensus.

UK surname

Alan

A Celtic surname meaning "harmony," "stone," or "noble," or a Turkish surname meaning "red" or "scarlet."

In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Alan surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 515, ranked #9,793, up from #24,561 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Old Cumnock, Callington and Wigton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Chichester, Waltham Forest and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alan is 515 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 704.7%.

1881 census count

64

Ranked #24,561

Modern count

515

2016, ranked #9,793

Peak year

2016

515 bearers

Map years

4

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alan had 64 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,561 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 515 in 2016, ranked #9,793.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 142 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Alan surname distribution map

The map shows where the Alan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Alan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Alan over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 60 #22,584
1861 historical 142 #15,982
1881 historical 64 #24,561
1891 historical 31 #31,820
1901 historical 17 #32,146
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 185 #18,506
1998 modern 197 #18,283
1999 modern 188 #18,931
2000 modern 171 #20,044
2001 modern 165 #20,199
2002 modern 186 #19,150
2003 modern 187 #18,856
2004 modern 212 #17,540
2005 modern 227 #16,730
2006 modern 232 #16,600
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 261 #15,597
2009 modern 312 #14,040
2010 modern 341 #13,477
2011 modern 347 #13,167
2012 modern 419 #11,295
2013 modern 451 #10,814
2014 modern 486 #10,309
2015 modern 495 #10,070
2016 modern 515 #9,793

Geography

Back to top

Where Alans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Old Cumnock, Callington, Wigton, Rattray and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Chichester, Waltham Forest, Cornwall, Kensington and Chelsea and Luton. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Old Cumnock Ayr
2 Callington Cornwall
3 Wigton Cumberland
4 Rattray Perth
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Chichester 014 Chichester
2 Waltham Forest 020 Waltham Forest
3 Cornwall 037 Cornwall
4 Kensington and Chelsea 018 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Luton 015 Luton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Alan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Alan surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Alan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Alan, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Alan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Alan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Alan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Alan is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Alan falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Alan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Alan

The surname ALAN has its origins in ancient Brittany, a region located in the northwest of modern-day France. It is derived from the Breton word "alen," which means "little rock" or "pebble." This name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near a rocky area or had some association with stones.

The earliest known record of the name ALAN dates back to the 11th century. In the Domesday Book, a survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are several references to individuals with the surname ALAN or variations such as Aleyn and Alayn.

One notable bearer of the name was Alan of Brittany (c. 1084-1146), a prominent military leader who fought alongside King Henry I of England during the Norman Conquest. He later became the Earl of Richmond and played a significant role in the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda.

In the 13th century, the surname ALAN was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, where the village of Alanby (now called Anlaby) was named after an individual with this surname. Another early example is Alan de Walkington (c. 1190-1260), a distinguished English theologian and Bishop of Galloway in Scotland.

During the 14th century, the ALAN surname appeared in Scotland, where it was sometimes spelled as Alane or Alayn. One notable Scot with this name was Sir Alan de Erskine (c. 1310-1367), a prominent military commander who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence alongside King Robert the Bruce.

In the 15th century, the surname ALAN was also found in Ireland, where it was often rendered as Ó Lachtnáin or O'Loughnan. One notable bearer was Fearghal Óg Ó Lachtnáin (c. 1450-1512), an Irish poet and scribe from County Westmeath.

Throughout history, the ALAN surname has been associated with various professions and social classes, ranging from landed gentry to artisans and tradesmen. While its origins can be traced back to Brittany, the name has since spread across Europe and beyond, carried by individuals who have left their mark in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Alan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 16 Alans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.56x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 16 2.56x
Lancashire 9 1.21x
Lanarkshire 8 3.96x
Ayrshire 7 14.98x
Caithness 4 46.78x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 44.25x
Hampshire 3 2.34x
Derbyshire 2 2.05x
Durham 2 1.08x
Aberdeenshire 1 1.73x
Fife 1 2.71x
Inverness-shire 1 5.36x
Leicestershire 1 1.44x
Northumberland 1 1.08x
Rutland 1 21.83x
Surrey 1 0.33x
Westmorland 1 7.29x
Yorkshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 13 Alans recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.14x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 13 37.14x
Barony 8 15.66x
Widnes 8 149.81x
Dalry 7 318.18x
Kirkcudbright 4 533.33x
Thurso 4 300.75x
Titchfield 3 312.50x
Long Eaton 2 155.04x
Westoe 2 18.99x
Alnwick 1 62.50x
Bradford 1 6.68x
Burntisland 1 97.09x
East Broughton 1 476.19x
Edith Weston 1 1428.57x
Inverness 1 21.32x
Leicester St Margaret 1 5.92x
Paddington London 1 4.36x
Rotherhithe 1 12.97x
St George In East London 1 17.04x
Turriff 1 107.53x
Whitechapel London 1 16.26x
Whitwell Selside 1 2000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Alan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Alice 2
Florence 2
Mary 2
Amy 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Barbara 1
Bridget 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Eliza 1
Fanny 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Larna 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Alan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 4
George 2
Henry 2
John 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
Frank 1
Hugh 1
James 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Alan households.

FAQ

Alan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Alan surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 515 in 2016. That gives Alan a modern rank of #9,793.

What does the Alan surname mean?

A Celtic surname meaning "harmony," "stone," or "noble," or a Turkish surname meaning "red" or "scarlet."

What does the Alan map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Alan bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.