NameCensus.

UK surname

Cahalin

A surname of Irish origin likely derived from Ó Cathail meaning "descendant of Cathal".

In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Cahalin surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 101, ranked #30,929, up from #31,451 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Swindon and St. Helens.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cahalin is 113 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 573.3%.

1881 census count

15

Ranked #31,451

Modern count

101

2016, ranked #30,929

Peak year

1998

113 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cahalin had 15 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,451 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016, ranked #30,929.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 46 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Cahalin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cahalin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cahalin 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 20 #31,364
1881 historical 15 #31,451
1891 historical 34 #31,604
1901 historical 27 #31,057
1911 historical 46 #28,224
1997 modern 104 #26,351
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 108 #26,602
2000 modern 111 #26,111
2001 modern 102 #27,093
2002 modern 99 #28,082
2003 modern 92 #28,974
2004 modern 94 #28,896
2005 modern 97 #28,485
2006 modern 99 #28,453
2007 modern 100 #28,669
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 104 #28,982
2010 modern 104 #29,618
2011 modern 108 #28,811
2012 modern 101 #30,078
2013 modern 105 #29,916
2014 modern 104 #30,365
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 101 #30,929

Geography

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Where Cahalins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Swindon, St. Helens and Brent. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 011 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Swindon 003 Swindon
3 St. Helens 017 St. Helens
4 Swindon 020 Swindon
5 Brent 003 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cahalin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cahalin

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Cahalin is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cahalin 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

Cahalin falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cahalin 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Cahalin

The surname CAHALIN originates from Ireland, specifically from the Gaelic language spoken in the medieval period. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "cathán," which means "little battler" or "little warrior." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone known for their feisty or combative nature.

The earliest recorded instances of the CAHALIN surname can be traced back to the 16th century in County Cork, Ireland. In 1598, a document referred to a landowner named Dermot Cahalin, who held property in the parish of Kilmichael. This suggests that the name had already been established in the region by that time.

Another notable early reference to the CAHALIN name is found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. In 1604, the annals mention a man named Brian Cahalin, who was involved in a conflict between rival Irish clans.

Over the centuries, the surname CAHALIN has been subject to various spelling variations, including Cahalan, Cahalin, Cahalen, and Cahillon. These variations likely arose due to the translation of the Irish Gaelic name into English and the inconsistencies in record-keeping practices.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the CAHALIN surname was Diarmaid Cahalin, born around 1620 in County Cork. He was a prominent landowner and local chieftain who played a role in the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1640s.

Another notable figure was Seán Cahalin (1730-1819), a renowned Irish harper and composer from County Limerick. He was considered one of the last great traditional Irish harpers and helped preserve the ancient bardic traditions of Ireland.

In the 19th century, John Cahalin (1853-1932) was a prominent Irish-American lawyer and politician from New York City. He served as a member of the New York State Assembly and was involved in various legal and political initiatives.

Bridget Cahalin (1874-1948), born in County Mayo, Ireland, was a notable figure in the Irish emigrant community in London, England. She was a prominent activist and advocate for Irish cultural preservation and women's rights.

Finally, Joseph Cahalin (1920-2008) was a distinguished Irish-American writer and academic. Born in Philadelphia, he taught English literature at several universities and published numerous works of poetry, fiction, and literary criticism.

While the CAHALIN surname may not be among the most common in Ireland or worldwide, it has a rich history deeply rooted in Irish culture and tradition, reflecting the resilience and spirit of those who bore this name over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cahalin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cahalin 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 12 Cahalins recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.76x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 12 7.76x
Warwickshire 3 7.63x
Cheshire 1 2.90x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holy Trinity in Yorkshire leads with 7 Cahalins recorded in 1881 and an index of 188.17x.

Place Total Index
Holy Trinity 7 188.17x
Chilvers Coton 3 1875.00x
Sculcoates 3 122.45x
Gomersal 2 277.78x
Aston By Sutton 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Bridget 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Julia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Daniel 4
Thomas 4
Charles 1
Peter 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 Cahalin households.

FAQ

Cahalin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cahalin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Cahalin surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cahalin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016. That gives Cahalin a modern rank of #30,929.

What does the Cahalin surname mean?

A surname of Irish origin likely derived from Ó Cathail meaning "descendant of Cathal".

What does the Cahalin map show?

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