NameCensus.

UK surname

Bergin

Anglicized form of Irish Ó Beirgin, meaning "descendant of Beirgin," a diminutive of the byname Bearg, meaning "spear" or "soldier."

In the 1881 census there were 280 people recorded with the Bergin surname, ranking it #10,202 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,343, ranked #4,491, up from #10,202 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Halifax and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Glenmavis and Greengairs and Lewes.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bergin is 1,377 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 379.6%.

1881 census count

280

Ranked #10,202

Modern count

1,343

2016, ranked #4,491

Peak year

2014

1,377 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bergin had 280 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,202 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,343 in 2016, ranked #4,491.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 375 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Bergin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bergin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bergin 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 94 #17,837
1861 historical 104 #20,477
1881 historical 280 #10,202
1891 historical 291 #11,388
1901 historical 312 #11,339
1911 historical 375 #9,747
1997 modern 1,251 #4,553
1998 modern 1,303 #4,559
1999 modern 1,295 #4,611
2000 modern 1,299 #4,579
2001 modern 1,285 #4,529
2002 modern 1,296 #4,585
2003 modern 1,239 #4,678
2004 modern 1,231 #4,698
2005 modern 1,189 #4,803
2006 modern 1,219 #4,716
2007 modern 1,248 #4,659
2008 modern 1,250 #4,671
2009 modern 1,310 #4,573
2010 modern 1,347 #4,548
2011 modern 1,330 #4,545
2012 modern 1,321 #4,502
2013 modern 1,375 #4,436
2014 modern 1,377 #4,448
2015 modern 1,322 #4,566
2016 modern 1,343 #4,491

Geography

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Where Bergins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Halifax, Toxteth Park and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Manchester, Glenmavis and Greengairs, Lewes and Havant. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Manchester 053 Manchester
2 Glenmavis and Greengairs North Lanarkshire
3 Lewes 006 Lewes
4 Havant 007 Havant
5 Manchester 050 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bergin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bergin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bergin, 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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Bergin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Bergin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bergin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bergin 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

Bergin falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bergin 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
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Bergin

The surname Bergin is believed to have originated in Ireland, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "beargain," which means "little hill" or "sharp-pointed hill." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived near or on a small hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bergin can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The name appears in the annals as "O'Beargain," referring to a prominent family from County Longford.

In the 16th century, the name Bergin was also found in various legal and administrative records in Ireland, often spelled as "Bergyn" or "Bergan." This variation in spelling was common during that time, as standardized spelling conventions were not yet widely adopted.

One notable historical figure with the surname Bergin was John Bergin, an Irish Catholic priest and historian who lived from 1707 to 1770. He is known for his work "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," which chronicled the history of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Another significant figure was Michael Bergin, an Irish politician and Member of Parliament who lived from 1836 to 1907. He was a prominent member of the Irish Parliamentary Party and played a crucial role in advocating for Irish Home Rule.

In the literary world, Nora Bergin (1905-1976) was an Irish novelist and short story writer known for her works exploring themes of rural Irish life. Her novel "The Capuchins" was a notable success and received critical acclaim.

Turning to the world of sports, Paddy Bergin (1919-2007) was an Irish hurler who played for the Kilkenny senior team and was part of the All-Ireland winning team in 1947.

Finally, in more recent times, Jonathan Bergin (born 1976) is an Irish actor best known for his roles in television series such as "Vikings" and "Outlander."

While the surname Bergin has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to Irish emigration over the centuries. However, its origins can be traced back to the Gaelic word "beargain," reflecting the connection to the landscape and geography of Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bergin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bergin 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. Lancashire leads with 109 Bergins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.33x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 109 3.33x
Surrey 33 2.45x
Yorkshire 33 1.21x
Warwickshire 20 2.87x
Middlesex 14 0.51x
Durham 11 1.34x
Kent 11 1.17x
Hampshire 10 1.77x
Gloucestershire 8 1.48x
Essex 6 1.10x
Sussex 6 1.29x
Lanarkshire 5 0.56x
Cornwall 4 1.28x
Cheshire 3 0.49x
Channel Islands 2 2.45x
Staffordshire 2 0.21x
Westmorland 2 3.30x
Devon 1 0.17x
Leicestershire 1 0.33x
Northamptonshire 1 0.39x
Royal Navy 1 3.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Salford in Lancashire leads with 24 Bergins recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.91x.

Place Total Index
Salford 24 24.91x
Everton 21 20.11x
Aston 20 10.43x
Bowling 10 36.91x
Liverpool 9 4.52x
Toxteth Park 9 8.11x
Northowram 8 41.71x
Westbury On Trym 8 43.62x
Blackburn 7 8.03x
Croydon 7 9.38x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 12.60x
Wigan 7 15.29x
Woolwich 7 20.11x
Bury 6 16.03x
Horton In Bradford 6 14.04x
Aldershot 5 26.39x
Barony 5 2.21x
Kensington London 5 3.26x
Lambeth 5 2.08x
Much Woolton 5 112.61x
Newbottle 5 111.61x
Over Darwen 5 19.11x
St Marylebone London 5 3.39x
Bodmin 4 77.37x
Southcoates 4 26.33x
Stansted Mountfitchet 4 289.86x
Brighton 3 3.19x
Clapham 3 8.69x
Liscard 3 27.32x
Little Bolton 3 7.12x
Milton In Gravesend 3 21.25x
Wilsden 3 106.76x
Barrow In Furness 2 4.49x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 3.84x
Farnborough 2 33.67x
Hove 2 9.79x
Huyton With Roby 2 52.08x
Kingston On Thames 2 6.19x
Kirkby Stephen 2 127.39x
Lexden 2 91.32x
Portsea 2 1.80x
Southwark Christchurch 2 15.47x
Southwark St Saviour 2 14.09x
St Helier 2 7.51x
Stockton On Tees 2 5.05x
Streatham 2 9.77x
Washington 2 58.14x
Burnley 1 3.63x
Camberwell 1 0.57x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 10.18x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 42.74x
Ditchling 1 78.74x
Elvet 1 16.86x
Headingley Cum Burley 1 5.68x
Heston 1 10.91x
Knighton 1 57.80x
Manchester 1 0.68x
Millbrook 1 7.02x
Monkwearmouth Shore 1 6.24x
Newcastle Under Lyme 1 6.06x
Newington 1 0.98x
Pendleton In Salford 1 2.56x
Preston 1 1.14x
Royal Navy 1 3.56x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.06x
St George Martyr London 1 17.89x
St Mary Le Strand London 1 99.01x
Stone 1 8.39x
Tanshelf 1 45.87x
Walton On Hill 1 5.64x
Wandsworth 1 3.76x
Warrington 1 2.58x
Weedon Beck 1 53.76x
West Derby 1 1.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Catherine 13
Margaret 12
Ellen 6
Elizabeth 5
Kate 5
Annie 4
Julia 4
Louisa 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Jane 3
Agnes 2
Bridget 2
Eliza 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Isabella 2
Sarah 2
Theresa 2
Anarah 1
Anne 1
Betsy 1
Cathleen 1
Cecilia 1
Christine 1
Dora 1
Ellinor 1
Emily 1
Fannie 1
Florence 1
Georgina 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Johanna 1
Livina 1
Lizzy 1
Lydia 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Mildred 1
Mornice 1
Pheobe 1
Robina 1
Rose 1
Zoe 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 32
William 17
Patrick 12
James 11
Michael 8
Edward 5
Joseph 5
Martin 5
George 4
Thomas 4
Charles 3
Dennis 3
Andrew 2
Daniel 2
Frank 2
Peter 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Augustus 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Enardrieter 1
Frederick 1
Henry 1
Hyram 1
Jas.Patk. 1
Jerome 1
Jno. 1
Josheph 1
Lawrance 1
Lawrence 1
Mathew 1
Oswald 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Rickard 1
Robt. 1
Timothy 1
Vincent 1

FAQ

Bergin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bergin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 280 people were recorded with the Bergin surname. That placed it at #10,202 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bergin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,343 in 2016. That gives Bergin a modern rank of #4,491.

What does the Bergin surname mean?

Anglicized form of Irish Ó Beirgin, meaning "descendant of Beirgin," a diminutive of the byname Bearg, meaning "spear" or "soldier."

What does the Bergin map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bergin 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.