NameCensus.

UK surname

Caine

A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic byname "O Catháin," meaning "descendant of Cathán" (a warrior).

In the 1881 census there were 871 people recorded with the Caine surname, ranking it #4,351 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,737, ranked #2,453, up from #4,351 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, Manchester and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barrow-in-Furness, Rotherham and Allerdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caine is 2,785 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 214.2%.

1881 census count

871

Ranked #4,351

Modern count

2,737

2016, ranked #2,453

Peak year

2014

2,785 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Caine had 871 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,351 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,737 in 2016, ranked #2,453.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,778 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Caine surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caine surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caine 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 205 #10,223
1861 historical 284 #8,845
1881 historical 871 #4,351
1891 historical 1,158 #3,692
1901 historical 1,580 #3,265
1911 historical 1,778 #2,752
1997 modern 2,543 #2,489
1998 modern 2,645 #2,489
1999 modern 2,700 #2,467
2000 modern 2,682 #2,469
2001 modern 2,635 #2,459
2002 modern 2,657 #2,485
2003 modern 2,595 #2,485
2004 modern 2,598 #2,486
2005 modern 2,592 #2,462
2006 modern 2,571 #2,478
2007 modern 2,614 #2,468
2008 modern 2,626 #2,472
2009 modern 2,677 #2,480
2010 modern 2,725 #2,502
2011 modern 2,700 #2,490
2012 modern 2,681 #2,472
2013 modern 2,736 #2,469
2014 modern 2,785 #2,451
2015 modern 2,747 #2,461
2016 modern 2,737 #2,453

Geography

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Where Caines are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Barrow-in-Furness, Rotherham and Allerdale. 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 Toxteth Park Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barrow-in-Furness 002 Barrow-in-Furness
2 Barrow-in-Furness 001 Barrow-in-Furness
3 Rotherham 001 Rotherham
4 Barrow-in-Furness 008 Barrow-in-Furness
5 Allerdale 011 Allerdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caine

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caine

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Caine, 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 Caine surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Caine household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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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, Caine 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.

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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

Caine is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Caine 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 Caine is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Caine

The surname CAINE has its origins in England, emerging in the medieval period around the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "caine," which means "cane" or "walking stick." This name was likely given as a descriptive surname to someone who used a cane or walking stick, perhaps due to a disability or advanced age.

The earliest recorded instance of the name CAINE can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1166, where a person named Roger Caine is mentioned. These rolls were financial records maintained by the Exchequer of the English Crown, indicating that individuals bearing this surname were present in northern England during the 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Cayne, Caigne, and Kayne, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. One notable early bearer of the name was John de Caine, who was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1275. These rolls were administrative records documenting land ownership and taxation.

The CAINE surname is also linked to several place names in England, particularly in the counties of Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. For instance, there is a village called Caine in Derbyshire, which may have influenced the surname's development or been influenced by it.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname CAINE have achieved notable recognition. One of the earliest was Sir Thomas Caine (1505-1570), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1553. Another prominent figure was Michael Caine (born 1933), the renowned English actor known for his roles in films such as "The Italian Job" and "The Dark Knight."

Other notable individuals with the CAINE surname include:

1. Sir Thomas Caine (1645-1711), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Newton. 2. John Caine (1773-1858), a British naval officer and explorer who surveyed parts of the Australian coastline. 3. Hall Caine (1853-1931), a British novelist and playwright, best known for his novel "The Bondman." 4. Thomas Henry Caine (1853-1925), a British politician and writer who served as a Member of Parliament for North-West Manchester. 5. Derwent Hall Caine (1862-1946), a British author and politician, the son of Hall Caine.

The surname CAINE has a rich history rooted in medieval England, with its origins possibly stemming from a descriptive nickname related to the use of a walking stick. Over the centuries, the name has been associated with various geographic locations, historical records, and notable individuals who have contributed to various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caine families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caine 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 389 Caines recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.68x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 389 2.68x
Isle of Man 384 169.04x
Middlesex 75 0.61x
Cheshire 55 2.04x
Staffordshire 49 1.19x
Yorkshire 45 0.37x
Devon 37 1.45x
Durham 35 0.96x
Surrey 26 0.44x
Cumberland 21 1.99x
Hampshire 18 0.72x
Ayrshire 16 1.75x
Sussex 11 0.53x
Essex 10 0.41x
Shropshire 9 0.85x
Berkshire 8 0.87x
Kent 7 0.17x
Lanarkshire 7 0.18x
Derbyshire 6 0.31x
Hertfordshire 4 0.47x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.24x
Stirlingshire 4 0.89x
Gloucestershire 3 0.13x
Midlothian 3 0.18x
Northamptonshire 3 0.26x
West Lothian 3 1.63x
Worcestershire 3 0.19x
Channel Islands 2 0.55x
Denbighshire 2 0.43x
Lincolnshire 2 0.10x
Buteshire 1 1.35x
Cornwall 1 0.07x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.30x
Norfolk 1 0.05x
Northumberland 1 0.05x
Perthshire 1 0.18x
Renfrewshire 1 0.11x
Royal Navy 1 0.69x
Somerset 1 0.05x
Suffolk 1 0.07x
Warwickshire 1 0.03x
Westmorland 1 0.37x
Wigtownshire 1 0.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Onchan in Isle of Man leads with 72 Caines recorded in 1881 and an index of 110.04x.

Place Total Index
Onchan 72 110.04x
German Peel 63 481.65x
Michael 56 1212.12x
German 44 355.13x
Liverpool 43 4.88x
Toxteth Park 43 8.75x
Wolverhampton 35 11.02x
Patrick 33 298.10x
Manchester 32 4.90x
Lonan 25 181.69x
Ballaugh 24 592.59x
Everton 19 4.11x
Lezayre 19 186.46x
Ashton Under Lyne 18 5.67x
Maughold 16 91.27x
West Derby 14 3.30x
Oldham 13 2.77x
Braddan 12 96.70x
Barrow In Furness 11 5.57x
Barton Upon Irwell 11 10.07x
Blackburn 11 2.85x
Kilbirnie 11 50.05x
Higher Booths 10 38.21x
Kensington London 10 1.47x
Latchford 10 55.74x
Plymouth Charles The 10 8.91x
Portsea 10 2.04x
Abdon 9 1406.25x
Castle Sowerby 9 384.62x
Dalton In Furness 9 16.06x
Hammersmith London 9 2.99x
Kirkdale 9 3.69x
Over Darwen 9 7.76x
Skelmersdale 9 37.21x
Altrincham 8 16.96x
Chorlton On Medlock 8 3.47x
Douglas 8 243.16x
Exeter St George The 8 284.70x
Garston 8 18.67x
Handsworth 8 24.96x
Heap 8 10.39x
Leeds 8 1.17x
Pennington In Ulverston 8 110.80x
Bold 7 194.44x
Dartmouth St Petrox 7 190.74x
Godley 7 120.07x
Great Bolton 7 3.64x
Shoreditch London 7 1.32x
Spitalfields London 7 7.61x
St Luke London 7 3.57x
St Pancras London 7 0.71x
Wanstead 7 16.55x
Widnes 7 6.69x
Wokingham 7 33.40x
Barnard Castle 6 33.35x
Clapham 6 3.92x
Dewsbury 6 4.83x
Gorton 6 4.40x
North Meols 6 4.22x
Rotherhithe 6 3.97x
Sheffield 6 1.55x
St Bartholomew Less 6 95.39x
Broughton In Salford 5 3.77x
Congleton 5 10.72x
Conside Knitsley 5 17.67x
Coundon 5 33.90x
Henfield 5 63.13x
Huddersfield 5 2.83x
Little Bolton 5 2.68x
Long Eaton 5 19.78x
Millom 5 15.49x
Muirkirk 5 23.26x
Parr 5 9.63x
Stockport 5 3.60x
Tadley 5 117.10x
Tottenham 5 2.57x
Willesden 5 4.34x
Eccleston In Prescot 4 5.49x
Helmington Row 4 23.60x
Hulme 4 1.32x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 108
Thomas 74
William 74
James 49
Henry 21
Robert 21
Charles 20
Edward 18
Patrick 17
Michael 16
George 15
Philip 12
Peter 9
Richard 9
Thos. 8
Albert 7
Joseph 7
Alfred 6
Arthur 6
Frederick 6
Wm. 6
Walter 5
Andrew 4
Caesar 4
Francis 4
Samuel 4
Daniel 3
David 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Jno. 3
Lawrence 3
Nathan 3
Owen 3
Anthony 2
Bernard 2
Ceasar 2
Earnest 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Fredrick 2
Hugh 2
Jas. 2
Lionel 2
Martin 2
Nathaniel 2
Pat 2
Ph. 2
Stanley 2
Stephen 2

FAQ

Caine surname: questions and answers

How common was the Caine surname in 1881?

In 1881, 871 people were recorded with the Caine surname. That placed it at #4,351 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Caine surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,737 in 2016. That gives Caine a modern rank of #2,453.

What does the Caine surname mean?

A surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic byname "O Catháin," meaning "descendant of Cathán" (a warrior).

What does the Caine map show?

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