NameCensus.

UK surname

Caines

Derived from the Welsh surname Cain, meaning "clear" or "fair," likely referring to a person with light-colored hair or complexion.

In the 1881 census there were 599 people recorded with the Caines surname, ranking it #5,842 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,156, ranked #5,105, up from #5,842 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Coker, West. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Dorset, Neath Port Talbot and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caines is 1,215 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 93.0%.

1881 census count

599

Ranked #5,842

Modern count

1,156

2016, ranked #5,105

Peak year

2010

1,215 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Caines had 599 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,842 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,156 in 2016, ranked #5,105.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,002 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Caines surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caines surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caines 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 317 #7,308
1861 historical 459 #5,654
1881 historical 599 #5,842
1891 historical 630 #6,141
1901 historical 848 #5,369
1911 historical 1,002 #4,539
1997 modern 1,172 #4,815
1998 modern 1,183 #4,939
1999 modern 1,179 #5,006
2000 modern 1,163 #5,032
2001 modern 1,146 #5,006
2002 modern 1,209 #4,872
2003 modern 1,176 #4,888
2004 modern 1,170 #4,916
2005 modern 1,151 #4,940
2006 modern 1,132 #5,006
2007 modern 1,133 #5,055
2008 modern 1,142 #5,052
2009 modern 1,162 #5,086
2010 modern 1,215 #4,988
2011 modern 1,189 #5,022
2012 modern 1,166 #5,027
2013 modern 1,171 #5,099
2014 modern 1,178 #5,108
2015 modern 1,184 #5,030
2016 modern 1,156 #5,105

Geography

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Where Caines' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Coker, West and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Dorset, Neath Port Talbot and South Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Coker, West Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Dorset 007 North Dorset
2 Neath Port Talbot 020 Neath Port Talbot
3 South Somerset 001 South Somerset
4 South Somerset 005 South Somerset
5 South Somerset 017 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caines

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caines

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Caines 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.

Read profile summary

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

Caines is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Caines 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 Caines 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 Caines, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Caines

The surname Caines is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cæne," meaning brave or bold, and was likely initially used as a nickname for someone with those qualities.

The earliest known record of the name Caines appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where a person named Walter Caines is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century in parts of England.

During the medieval period, the name Caines was primarily found in the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire. It is believed that the name may have originated in these regions or nearby areas.

One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Caines was Sir John Caines, a member of the English gentry who lived in the late 15th century. He was a landowner in Oxfordshire and is mentioned in various records from that time.

In the 16th century, the name Caines appeared in the parish records of several villages in Oxfordshire, including Bampton and Burford. This indicates that the name was well-established in that county by that time.

Another notable figure with the surname Caines was William Caines, a prominent English author and translator who lived from 1609 to 1677. He is best known for his translation of the Spanish novel "Don Quixote" into English.

In the 17th century, the name Caines also appeared in the records of the nearby county of Berkshire. One example is Thomas Caines, a landowner who was born in Bray, Berkshire, in 1632.

During the 18th century, the name Caines continued to be found in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. One notable figure from this period was John Caines, a clergyman and antiquarian who lived from 1740 to 1821. He was the author of several books on the history and antiquities of Oxfordshire.

In the 19th century, the surname Caines spread to other parts of England, as well as to other English-speaking countries through immigration. One notable person with this name was George Caines, an English actor and playwright who lived from 1819 to 1890.

Overall, the surname Caines has a long and well-documented history in England, particularly in the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, where it is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who was considered brave or bold.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caines families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caines 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. Dorset leads with 131 Caines' recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.99x.

County Total Index
Dorset 131 33.99x
Middlesex 81 1.38x
Somerset 68 7.19x
Gloucestershire 67 5.82x
Yorkshire 56 0.96x
Hampshire 48 3.99x
Devon 19 1.55x
Monmouthshire 17 4.00x
Surrey 17 0.59x
Berkshire 16 3.63x
Herefordshire 13 5.40x
Hertfordshire 13 3.21x
Warwickshire 13 0.88x
Glamorgan 11 1.08x
Oxfordshire 8 2.21x
Kent 5 0.25x
Derbyshire 3 0.33x
Channel Islands 2 1.15x
Lancashire 2 0.03x
Northumberland 2 0.23x
Durham 1 0.06x
East Lothian 1 1.29x
Essex 1 0.09x
Isle of Man 1 0.92x
Lanarkshire 1 0.05x
Leicestershire 1 0.15x
Renfrewshire 1 0.22x
Staffordshire 1 0.05x
Sussex 1 0.10x
Worcestershire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe in Yorkshire leads with 41 Caines' recorded in 1881 and an index of 151.68x.

Place Total Index
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 41 151.68x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 26 23.98x
Kensington London 16 4.90x
Llanover 14 96.55x
Colwall 13 436.24x
Hitchin 13 71.15x
South Stoneham 13 49.79x
Stapleton 13 59.50x
East Stonehouse 12 49.83x
Fifehead Neville 12 5000.00x
Haselbury Bryan 12 827.59x
Dewlish 11 1182.80x
Sherborne 11 96.92x
Aston 10 2.45x
Batheaston 10 308.64x
Blandford Forum 10 131.58x
Henstridge 10 383.14x
Charminster 9 293.16x
Chelsea London 9 5.09x
Compton 9 708.66x
Ilminster 9 136.36x
Islington London 9 1.58x
Weymouth 9 123.29x
Bristol St George 8 15.02x
Caversham 8 110.34x
Stoke Newington London 8 17.49x
Chard 7 61.14x
Cheltenham 7 7.88x
Hilton 7 526.32x
Holdenhurst 7 22.17x
Leigh 7 864.20x
Southampton St Mary 7 9.25x
St Andrew Holborn London 7 27.54x
Yeovil 7 36.44x
Cardiff St John 6 17.96x
Lambeth 6 1.17x
Leeds 6 1.83x
Melcombe Regis 6 37.57x
Mile End New Town London 6 51.72x
Street 6 117.42x
Bermondsey 5 2.86x
Hammersmith London 5 3.46x
Lymington 5 56.50x
Montacute 5 289.02x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 5.31x
Southampton All Sts 5 24.21x
St Luke London 5 5.31x
Warfield 5 125.00x
Christchurch 4 15.33x
Froyle 4 259.74x
Leckhampton 4 56.34x
Milton Abbas 4 211.64x
Newington 4 1.84x
Penselwood 4 476.19x
Roath 4 8.61x
St Clement Danes London 4 32.92x
St Pancras London 4 0.85x
Baslow With Bubnell 3 177.51x
Bellchalwell 3 882.35x
Birmingham 3 0.61x
Bristol St Augustine 3 16.14x
Cerne Abbas 3 160.43x
Deptford St Paul 3 1.94x
Ecclesall Bierlow 3 2.53x
Hackney London 3 0.91x
Up Cerne 3 2000.00x
Westbury On Trym 3 7.69x
Worth Matravers 3 483.87x
Wyke Regis 3 54.25x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 2 19.07x
Corfe Castle 2 56.02x
Kington Magna 2 215.05x
Melcombe Horsey 2 540.54x
Mynyddyslwyn 2 11.94x
Okeford Fitzpaine 2 162.60x
Plumstead 2 2.99x
Queen Camel 2 180.18x
Stoke Damerel 2 2.34x
Wakefield 2 4.48x
Wokingham 2 19.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 46
Sarah 23
Eliza 20
Elizabeth 19
Ann 14
Ellen 13
Emily 13
Alice 11
Jane 11
Florence 10
Emma 8
Louisa 8
Maria 7
Annie 5
Caroline 4
Martha 4
Rose 4
Edith 3
Eleanor 3
Elizth. 3
Frances 3
Kate 3
Lucy 3
Minnie 3
Sophia 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Anna 2
Beatrice 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Georgina 2
Grace 2
Leonora 2
Matilda 2
Maude 2
Rebecca 2
Selina 2
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
Elizh.Ann 1
Esther 1
Eva 1
Evelina 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Lillie 1
Tryphena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 36
William 30
John 20
Charles 19
James 15
Thomas 13
Alfred 11
Henry 11
Edward 9
Robert 8
Edwin 7
Richard 7
Frederick 6
Wm. 6
Albert 5
Geo. 4
Harry 4
Herbert 4
Joseph 4
Arthur 3
Benjamin 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
David 2
Ernest 2
Tom 2
Abraham 1
Bertie 1
Christ 1
Christopher 1
Colston 1
Emanuel 1
Ezra 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.J. 1
Hammon 1
Hubert 1
Isaac 1
Jack 1
Jane 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Jno. 1
Joshua 1
Leonard 1
Mary 1
Matthew 1

FAQ

Caines surname: questions and answers

How common was the Caines surname in 1881?

In 1881, 599 people were recorded with the Caines surname. That placed it at #5,842 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Caines surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,156 in 2016. That gives Caines a modern rank of #5,105.

What does the Caines surname mean?

Derived from the Welsh surname Cain, meaning "clear" or "fair," likely referring to a person with light-colored hair or complexion.

What does the Caines map show?

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