UK surname
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "ó Coithlín" meaning descendant of Coithlín.
In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Caughlin surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 51, ranked #34,838, down from #27,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Acton, St Pancras and Roath. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caughlin is 100 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8.5%.
1881 census count
47
Ranked #27,019
Modern count
51
2016, ranked #34,838
Peak year
1891
100 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Caughlin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Caughlin surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 77 | #19,998 |
| 1861 | historical | 52 | #27,369 |
| 1881 | historical | 47 | #27,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 54 | #28,178 |
| 1911 | historical | 59 | #26,914 |
| 1997 | modern | 52 | #32,444 |
| 1998 | modern | 48 | #33,111 |
| 1999 | modern | 48 | #33,233 |
| 2000 | modern | 48 | #33,288 |
| 2001 | modern | 47 | #33,219 |
| 2002 | modern | 46 | #33,631 |
| 2003 | modern | 43 | #33,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 43 | #34,149 |
| 2005 | modern | 47 | #34,011 |
| 2006 | modern | 46 | #34,415 |
| 2007 | modern | 49 | #34,422 |
| 2008 | modern | 47 | #34,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 47 | #34,856 |
| 2010 | modern | 48 | #34,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 51 | #34,751 |
| 2012 | modern | 45 | #35,105 |
| 2013 | modern | 46 | #35,110 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 51 | #34,838 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Acton, St Pancras, Roath, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acton | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Roath | Glamorganshire |
| 4 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Caughlin surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Caughlin, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Caughlin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Caughlin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Caughlin is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Caughlin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Caughlin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Caughlin is believed to have originated in Ireland, where it first appeared in the early 11th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "caughlin," meaning "big-boned" or "strong." This suggests that the name was likely given as a nickname to someone of a large stature or physical strength.
The earliest recorded reference to the Caughlin name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In 1013, a man named "Caughlin mac Conchobair" is mentioned as a chieftain in County Monaghan.
By the 13th century, the name had spread to other parts of Ireland, particularly in the counties of Antrim, Down, and Armagh. Historical records from this period show variations in spelling, such as "Caughlane," "Caughlan," and "Caughlyn."
One notable figure bearing the Caughlin name was Seán Caughlin (1565-1637), a Catholic priest and scholar from County Armagh. He studied at the University of Salamanca in Spain and later served as the Bishop of Raphoe in Donegal.
In the 17th century, during the Plantation of Ulster, many Irish families with the Caughlin surname were displaced from their lands and forced to migrate to other parts of Ireland or abroad.
Another significant individual with this name was Patrick Caughlin (1718-1792), a prominent merchant and landowner from County Down. He was involved in the Irish linen trade and owned estates in Bangor and Holywood.
During the 19th century, large numbers of Irish immigrants bearing the Caughlin name arrived in North America, fleeing the Great Famine. One such immigrant was Michael Caughlin (1825-1903), who settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and worked as a stonemason.
Another notable figure was John Caughlin (1850-1928), a Canadian politician and lawyer from Ontario. He served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons and was appointed to the Senate in 1908.
In the early 20th century, Edward Caughlin (1878-1954) was a successful businessman and philanthropist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He founded the Caughlin Heating and Air Conditioning Company and donated generously to local charities and educational institutions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caughlin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Staffordshire leads with 9 Caughlins recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.82x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 9 | 5.82x |
| Cornwall | 8 | 15.42x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 7.79x |
| Surrey | 7 | 3.13x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.74x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.87x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.92x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.99x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.25x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.06x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 3.02x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newcastle Under Lyme in Staffordshire leads with 9 Caughlins recorded in 1881 and an index of 328.47x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Under Lyme | 9 | 328.47x |
| Falmouth | 8 | 434.78x |
| Bristol St James In | 7 | 530.30x |
| Lambeth | 7 | 17.51x |
| Castleton | 3 | 55.25x |
| Woolwich | 2 | 34.60x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 31.75x |
| Brinnington | 1 | 105.26x |
| Cardiff St John | 1 | 38.31x |
| Charlton Next Woolwich | 1 | 61.35x |
| Great Bolton | 1 | 13.89x |
| Heston | 1 | 65.79x |
| Hunslet | 1 | 14.12x |
| Limehouse London | 1 | 19.88x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 12.38x |
| St Woollos | 1 | 27.03x |
| Towerof London London | 1 | 666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Caughlin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Caughlin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Caughlin households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Laundress | 3 |
| Domestic Servant | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Assistant Marine Stores | 1 |
| Bricklayers Lab | 1 |
| Brickyard Labourer | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| General Labr | 1 |
| Iron Foundry Labourer | 1 |
| Iron Moulder | 1 |
| Lab | 1 |
| Labourer In Iron Wks | 1 |
| Lce Corporal | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper (Widow) | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Soldier 6th Regiment | 1 |
| Stone Lawyer (Mercht) | 1 |
| Stonecutter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Caughlin surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016. That gives Caughlin a modern rank of #34,838.
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "ó Coithlín" meaning descendant of Coithlín.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Caughlin bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.