NameCensus.

UK surname

Boyne

A locational surname derived from the River Boyne in Ireland.

In the 1881 census there were 462 people recorded with the Boyne surname, ranking it #7,183 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 843, ranked #6,627, up from #7,183 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Elgin, Edinburgh and Teignmouth, East. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Teignbridge, South Hams and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Boyne is 894 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 82.5%.

1881 census count

462

Ranked #7,183

Modern count

843

2016, ranked #6,627

Peak year

2002

894 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Boyne had 462 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,183 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 843 in 2016, ranked #6,627.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 592 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Boyne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Boyne surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Boyne 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 303 #7,590
1861 historical 404 #6,354
1881 historical 462 #7,183
1891 historical 464 #7,887
1901 historical 592 #7,144
1911 historical 321 #10,902
1997 modern 869 #6,130
1998 modern 891 #6,209
1999 modern 891 #6,251
2000 modern 885 #6,249
2001 modern 851 #6,330
2002 modern 894 #6,218
2003 modern 871 #6,227
2004 modern 861 #6,289
2005 modern 844 #6,340
2006 modern 846 #6,344
2007 modern 832 #6,485
2008 modern 831 #6,547
2009 modern 853 #6,550
2010 modern 889 #6,452
2011 modern 885 #6,403
2012 modern 855 #6,502
2013 modern 858 #6,580
2014 modern 868 #6,552
2015 modern 848 #6,619
2016 modern 843 #6,627

Geography

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Where Boynes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Elgin, Edinburgh, Teignmouth, East, Unst and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Teignbridge, South Hams, Leeds and Lhanbryde, Urquhart, Pitgavney and seaward. 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 Elgin Elgin
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Teignmouth, East Devon
4 Unst Shetland
5 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Teignbridge 008 Teignbridge
2 Teignbridge 010 Teignbridge
3 South Hams 005 South Hams
4 Leeds 094 Leeds
5 Lhanbryde, Urquhart, Pitgavney and seaward Moray

Forenames

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First names often paired with Boyne

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Boyne

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Boyne surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Boyne household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Boyne is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Boyne is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Boyne falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Boyne is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Boyne

The surname Boyne has its origins in Ireland and is believed to have derived from the River Boyne, a major river that flows through the counties of Louth, Meath, and Westmeath. The name is thought to come from the Irish Gaelic word "bóinn," meaning "fertile cow" or "bright water."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Boyne can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The entry for the year 1176 mentions a battle that took place near the River Boyne, suggesting that the name was already in use as a geographic reference at that time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in the Chartularies of St. Mary's Abbey in Dublin, where references were made to individuals with the surname Boyne. This indicates that the name had become established as a hereditary surname by this period.

During the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century, many Norman families adopted Irish surnames, including Boyne. It is possible that some of these families took the name in recognition of their lands or estates situated near the River Boyne.

One notable historical figure with the surname Boyne was Sir Richard Boyne, an Irish soldier and landowner who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He served as a commander in the Irish Wars and was granted lands in County Meath for his military service.

In the 17th century, another prominent individual was Michael Boyne, a Catholic clergyman who served as the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1624 to 1638. He played a significant role in the Catholic Church during a period of religious tensions in Ireland.

During the 18th century, a member of the Boyne family rose to prominence in the field of architecture. Richard Boyne (1720-1785) was an Irish architect best known for his work on the Royal Exchange in Dublin, which he designed in the neoclassical style.

In the 19th century, Arabella Boyne (1833-1904) was a notable Irish writer and philanthropist. She published several novels and works of non-fiction, including "A Memoir of the Rt. Hon. Robert Boyne" about her father, who served as a member of the British Parliament.

Another individual with the surname Boyne who achieved recognition was John Boyne (born 1971), an Irish novelist and author of several best-selling books, including "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," which was adapted into a critically acclaimed film.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Boyne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Boyne 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. Yorkshire leads with 69 Boynes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.51x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 69 1.51x
Aberdeenshire 53 12.43x
Midlothian 46 7.46x
Middlesex 37 0.80x
Devon 27 2.82x
Lanarkshire 27 1.81x
Lancashire 25 0.46x
Morayshire 25 34.95x
Banffshire 23 24.08x
Stirlingshire 16 9.42x
Durham 13 0.95x
Surrey 11 0.49x
Isle of Man 8 9.36x
Nairnshire 8 56.94x
Shetland 8 17.01x
Warwickshire 8 0.69x
Northumberland 7 1.02x
Caernarfonshire 6 3.22x
Hampshire 6 0.64x
Cheshire 5 0.49x
Hertfordshire 5 1.58x
Inverness-shire 5 3.64x
Worcestershire 5 0.83x
Angus 4 0.94x
Berkshire 4 1.16x
Cumberland 4 1.01x
Shropshire 3 0.75x
Fife 2 0.73x
Northamptonshire 2 0.46x
Cornwall 1 0.19x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.98x
Glamorgan 1 0.12x
Kent 1 0.06x
Norfolk 1 0.14x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.16x
Renfrewshire 1 0.28x
Royal Navy 1 1.82x
West Lothian 1 1.44x
Westmorland 1 0.99x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Leith in Midlothian leads with 20 Boynes recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.08x.

Place Total Index
North Leith 20 70.08x
Elgin 16 114.94x
South Leith 14 20.17x
Leeds 13 5.05x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 11 13.79x
Falkirk 11 27.67x
Fintray 11 674.85x
York St Helen On Walls 10 1333.33x
Forgue 9 234.99x
West Teignmouth 9 122.78x
Aberdeen Old Machar 8 8.99x
Birmingham 8 2.07x
Hackney London 8 3.10x
Nairn 8 93.79x
Tiverton 8 48.46x
Unst 8 232.56x
Urquhart 8 236.69x
York St Margaret 8 282.69x
Banff 7 84.44x
Gateshead 7 6.83x
Glasgow 7 2.65x
Holbeck 7 23.16x
Keith 7 68.76x
York St George 7 194.99x
Bangor 6 33.41x
Braddan 6 128.48x
Duddingston 6 48.47x
Fulham London 6 8.99x
Govan 6 1.63x
St Marylebone London 6 2.44x
Wakefield 6 17.13x
Auchindoir Kearn 5 209.21x
Bishop Stortford 5 47.17x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 5 2.01x
Kings Norton 5 9.27x
Larbert 5 49.26x
Liverpool 5 1.51x
Newton 5 11.87x
Old Monkland 5 8.46x
Portsea 5 2.70x
Rotherhithe 5 8.79x
Barony 4 1.06x
Bellie 4 800.00x
Birkenhead 4 4.94x
Bothwell 4 9.91x
Drumblade 4 264.90x
Inverness 4 11.57x
Islington London 4 0.90x
Paddington London 4 2.36x
Reading St Mary 4 14.45x
Richmond 4 12.72x
York St Denis In 4 200.00x
Arbroath 3 21.22x
Broad Clist 3 90.63x
Elswick 3 5.49x
Everton 3 1.72x
Inveravon 3 73.71x
Plymouth Charles The 3 7.11x
Ratcliffe London 3 11.80x
Wellington 3 13.42x
Westgate 3 7.07x
York St Maurice 3 34.92x
Bishop Auckland 2 10.88x
Blackburn 2 1.38x
Brancepeth 2 80.32x
Crail 2 71.94x
Egremont 2 21.16x
Fraserburgh 2 16.67x
Newington 2 1.18x
Onchan 2 8.12x
Pannal 2 45.66x
Whitehaven 2 9.47x
Aberlour 1 33.00x
Bideford 1 9.74x
Edinburgh Greenside 1 12.27x
Falmouth 1 5.42x
Goole 1 13.07x
Maryhill 1 3.43x
St Pancras London 1 0.27x
Warrington 1 1.54x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Sarah 8
Margaret 7
Annie 6
Elizabeth 6
Ellen 6
Jane 6
Alice 4
Eliza 4
Emma 4
Alicia 3
Catherine 3
Isabella 3
Louisa 3
Agnes 2
Flora 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Jessie 2
Lizzie 2
Margt. 2
Rose 2
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Charlotte 1
Constance 1
Edith 1
Estelle 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Florian 1
Francis 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Helen 1
Ida 1
Jemima 1
K.F. 1
Kate 1
Katharine 1
Lea... 1
Maggie 1
Margret 1
Margt.E. 1
Maud 1
Patrick 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 17
John 17
Thomas 12
William 12
George 7
Charles 6
Edward 6
Patrick 5
Alexander 3
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Michael 2
Albert 1
Alex 1
Alexr. 1
Andrew 1
Augustine 1
Bartholomew 1
Buchanon 1
Cecil 1
Daniel 1
Domnick 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Er.Edward 1
Francis 1
Gavin 1
Harrold 1
Harry 1
Hayes 1
Howard 1
Jos. 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Oliver 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Thos. 1
Vicount 1
Walter 1
Wm.George 1

FAQ

Boyne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Boyne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 462 people were recorded with the Boyne surname. That placed it at #7,183 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Boyne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 843 in 2016. That gives Boyne a modern rank of #6,627.

What does the Boyne surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the River Boyne in Ireland.

What does the Boyne map show?

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