UK surname
An Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname 'O Baoighill' meaning "descendant of Baoigheall".
In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Boyl surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #30,738 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Ayr Newton and St Quivox and Rutherglen. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Boyl is 131 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.0%.
1881 census count
20
Ranked #30,738
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1851
131 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Boyl surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Boyl surname density by area, 1851 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 | 131 | #14,243 |
| 1861 | historical | 56 | #26,864 |
| 1881 | historical | 20 | #30,738 |
| 1891 | historical | 16 | #32,868 |
| 1901 | historical | 26 | #31,152 |
| 1911 | historical | 12 | #32,302 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Ayr Newton and St Quivox, Rutherglen, Edinburgh and Manchester. 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 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 2 | Ayr Newton and St Quivox | Ayr |
| 3 | Rutherglen | Lanark |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Boyl 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 Boyl, 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 Boyl surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Boyl 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, Boyl 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 Boyl is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Boyl, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BOYL finds its origins in the Emerald Isle of Ireland. Tracing back to the medieval era, around the 12th century, the name emerged as an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name O'Baoill or O'Boyle, both of which derive from the word "bóidheach," meaning "yellow" or "fair-haired."
This surname was predominantly concentrated in the northern counties of Ireland, particularly in Donegal, where the O'Boyle clan held considerable influence and prominence. The name is also linked to the placename Boylagh or Boyoughter, located in County Donegal, where the family had ancestral lands.
Historical records reveal instances of the name in various forms, such as de Boyl, de Boylle, and O'Boyll, appearing in ancient manuscripts and charters. One notable mention is in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where the name O'Boyle is recorded as early as the 13th century.
The earliest known bearer of the name was Niall O'Boyle, born around 1260, who served as the Chief of the O'Boyle clan and played a significant role in the conflicts between the Irish clans and the Anglo-Norman invaders. Another prominent figure was Conor O'Boyle, who lived in the 15th century and was renowned for his military prowess and leadership during the turbulent times of the Irish Confederate Wars.
In the 16th century, the name gained recognition with Neachtan O'Boyle, a renowned scholar and poet who composed works in both Irish and Latin. His poetic works contributed to the preservation of Irish culture and language during a period of English dominance.
As the centuries progressed, the BOYL surname spread across Ireland and beyond. One notable bearer was Charles Boyle, born in 1676, who served as the 4th Earl of Orrery and was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time, known for his plays and translations.
In the 19th century, John Boyle O'Reilly, born in 1844, gained fame as an Irish poet, journalist, and activist. His work played a crucial role in raising awareness about the Irish nationalist cause and advocating for independence from British rule.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who carried the BOYL surname throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Irish cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Boyl 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. Renfrewshire leads with 6 Boyls recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.81x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Renfrewshire | 6 | 41.81x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 2.28x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 6.68x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 7.22x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.81x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 12.03x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 14.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Abbey in Renfrewshire leads with 3 Boyls recorded in 1881 and an index of 136.99x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey | 3 | 136.99x |
| Blackburn | 3 | 51.28x |
| New Monkland | 2 | 112.99x |
| West Greenock | 2 | 77.52x |
| Dalziel | 1 | 156.25x |
| Govan | 1 | 6.75x |
| Kinnoull | 1 | 454.55x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 7.49x |
| Paisley High Church | 1 | 87.72x |
| St Quivox | 1 | 212.77x |
| Stirling | 1 | 116.28x |
| Usworth | 1 | 344.83x |
| West Derby | 1 | 15.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Boyl 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 Boyl 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 Boyl households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Masons Labourer | 1 |
| Rover In Cotton Mill | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Boyl surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Boyl a modern rank of #39,061.
An Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname 'O Baoighill' meaning "descendant of Baoigheall".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Boyl 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.