NameCensus.

UK surname

Callinan

Of Irish origin, denoting someone who lived near a callan or stone church.

In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Callinan surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 212, ranked #18,843, up from #30,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stroud, Luton and Harrogate.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Callinan is 238 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 960.0%.

1881 census count

20

Ranked #30,738

Modern count

212

2016, ranked #18,843

Peak year

1998

238 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Callinan had 20 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 212 in 2016, ranked #18,843.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 38 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Callinan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Callinan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Callinan 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 20 #29,743
1861 historical 32 #29,944
1881 historical 20 #30,738
1891 historical 26 #32,189
1901 historical 23 #31,466
1911 historical 38 #29,147
1997 modern 231 #16,049
1998 modern 238 #16,218
1999 modern 235 #16,458
2000 modern 233 #16,524
2001 modern 219 #16,967
2002 modern 212 #17,651
2003 modern 208 #17,685
2004 modern 212 #17,540
2005 modern 205 #17,838
2006 modern 206 #17,945
2007 modern 208 #18,013
2008 modern 202 #18,528
2009 modern 203 #18,840
2010 modern 213 #18,660
2011 modern 214 #18,436
2012 modern 221 #17,979
2013 modern 233 #17,606
2014 modern 221 #18,412
2015 modern 218 #18,478
2016 modern 212 #18,843

Geography

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Where Callinans 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 Stroud, Luton, Harrogate, Brent and Wigan. 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 Stroud 005 Stroud
2 Luton 001 Luton
3 Harrogate 021 Harrogate
4 Brent 031 Brent
5 Wigan 032 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Callinan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Callinan

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Callinan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Callinan 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Callinan is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Callinan 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

Callinan falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Callinan 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Callinan

The surname Callinan originated in Ireland and is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "O'Callinan," which means "descendant of the bright-headed one." The name can be traced back to County Cork in the southwestern part of Ireland, where it was most prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Callinan can be found in the Annals of Inisfallen, a historical chronicle compiled in the 12th century by monks at the Inisfallen Abbey on an island in Lough Leane, County Kerry. The annals mention a man named Callinan mac Becan, who lived in the 8th century.

In the 16th century, the Callinan family was recorded as landowners in the Barony of Imokilly, County Cork. During this period, the name was sometimes spelled as "Callinane" or "Callinan."

The Callinan surname is also associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Patrick Callinan (c. 1530-1610), an Irish Catholic priest and theologian who was a prominent figure during the Counter-Reformation.

Another notable Callinan was John Callinan (1828-1905), an Irish-born businessman and philanthropist who emigrated to the United States and became one of the wealthiest men in California. He made his fortune in the shipping industry and donated generously to various Catholic institutions.

In more recent times, Donald Callinan (1919-2003) was an Australian actor and television presenter, best known for hosting the popular children's show "The Sunny Side Up Show" in the 1960s and 1970s.

Colm Callinan (1938-2021) was an Irish hurler who played as a right corner-forward for the Limerick senior team and won an All-Ireland medal in 1973.

Finally, Michael Callinan (born 1953) is a renowned Irish sculptor and visual artist known for his large-scale public artworks, including the "Seed Cathedral" installation at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Callinan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Callinan 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. Glamorgan leads with 10 Callinans recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.47x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 10 29.47x
Perthshire 5 57.14x
Yorkshire 3 1.55x
Derbyshire 2 6.56x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cardiff St John in Glamorgan leads with 10 Callinans recorded in 1881 and an index of 900.90x.

Place Total Index
Cardiff St John 10 900.90x
Kincardine 5 5555.56x
Brightside Bierlow 3 79.16x
Ilkestonderbypart 2 2222.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 3
Francis 1
Margaret 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Lawrence 1
Patrick 1
William 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 Callinan households.

FAQ

Callinan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Callinan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Callinan surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Callinan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 212 in 2016. That gives Callinan a modern rank of #18,843.

What does the Callinan surname mean?

Of Irish origin, denoting someone who lived near a callan or stone church.

What does the Callinan map show?

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