UK surname
A short French surname derived from the word blanc, meaning white or fair.
In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Blan surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #29,646 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Wigan and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blan is 111 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.1%.
1881 census count
28
Ranked #29,646
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1861
111 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Blan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Blan surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 56 | #23,235 |
| 1861 | historical | 111 | #19,429 |
| 1881 | historical | 28 | #29,646 |
| 1891 | historical | 92 | #25,109 |
| 1901 | historical | 81 | #25,130 |
| 1911 | historical | 38 | #29,147 |
| 1997 | modern | 48 | #32,878 |
| 1998 | modern | 45 | #33,374 |
| 1999 | modern | 50 | #33,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 49 | #33,187 |
| 2001 | modern | 50 | #32,957 |
| 2002 | modern | 46 | #33,631 |
| 2003 | modern | 45 | #33,803 |
| 2004 | modern | 44 | #34,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 40 | #34,562 |
| 2006 | modern | 40 | #34,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 40 | #35,037 |
| 2008 | modern | 41 | #35,067 |
| 2009 | modern | 46 | #34,918 |
| 2010 | modern | 42 | #35,294 |
| 2011 | modern | 46 | #35,047 |
| 2012 | modern | 43 | #35,224 |
| 2013 | modern | 45 | #35,167 |
| 2014 | modern | 44 | #35,241 |
| 2015 | modern | 45 | #35,161 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Wigan, Manchester, Glasgow and Tottenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Tottenham | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Blan surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Blan, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Blan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Blan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Blan is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Blan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Blan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BLAN has its origins in France, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "blan," which means "white" or "blond." This surname was likely initially used as a nickname or descriptive name to identify individuals with fair hair or a pale complexion.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the BLAN surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners in England compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Blaun" and "Blawn," reflecting the phonetic variations common during that time.
In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the BLAN surname was Jean Blan, a French poet and troubadour who lived from around 1230 to 1290. His works provide valuable insights into the literary and cultural traditions of medieval France.
During the Renaissance period, the BLAN surname gained prominence in the arts and literature. One notable bearer was François Blan (c. 1500-1570), a French painter known for his vivid portraits and religious works, which can be found in several European galleries and museums.
In the 17th century, the BLAN surname appeared in various historical records, including parish registers and legal documents. One noteworthy individual was Pierre Blan (1625-1698), a French architect who contributed to the design of several prominent buildings in Paris, including the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).
Moving into the 18th century, the BLAN surname gained recognition in the field of science and exploration. Jacques Blan (1730-1799) was a French naturalist and explorer who accompanied several expeditions to the Americas, making significant contributions to the study of flora and fauna in the New World.
Throughout history, the BLAN surname has been associated with various place names and locations, often reflecting the migration patterns of families bearing this name. For instance, the village of Blancourt in northern France is believed to have derived its name from the BLAN surname, suggesting the presence of families with this name in the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 10 Blans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.66x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 10 | 4.66x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.97x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 1.88x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 15.43x |
| Cardiganshire | 1 | 19.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tottenham in Middlesex leads with 9 Blans recorded in 1881 and an index of 263.16x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Tottenham | 9 | 263.16x |
| Haigh | 5 | 5555.56x |
| Bradwell | 2 | 1111.11x |
| York St Michael | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Aberystwith | 1 | 222.22x |
| East Heslerton | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 21.93x |
| Scarborough | 1 | 51.81x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Blan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Blan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Blan households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Engineer Apprentice (E & M) | 1 |
| Forest Man (Wood) | 1 |
| Hairdresser | 1 |
| Hairdressers Assistant | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic | 1 |
| Raily Navvy | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Waterman | 1 |
| Waterprosser? | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Blan surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Blan a modern rank of #35,224.
A short French surname derived from the word blanc, meaning white or fair.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Blan bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.