UK surname
An anglicized form of the Irish surname Corcoran, derived from the Irish Ó Corcráin meaning "descendant of Corcran".
In the 1881 census there were 44 people recorded with the Corkran surname, ranking it #27,447 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #27,447 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Congham and Leeds. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Corkran is 103 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 81.8%.
1881 census count
44
Ranked #27,447
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1851
103 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Corkran surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Corkran surname density by area, 1851 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 | 103 | #16,835 |
| 1861 | historical | 83 | #23,189 |
| 1881 | historical | 44 | #27,447 |
| 1891 | historical | 37 | #31,398 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 27 | #30,437 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 9 | #37,119 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 8 | #37,797 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Congham, Leeds, Stoneykirk and Ditton, Long. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Congham | Norfolk |
| 3 | Leeds | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 4 | Stoneykirk | Wigtown |
| 5 | Ditton, Long | Surrey |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Corkran 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 Corkran, 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 Corkran surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Corkran 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, Corkran 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 Corkran is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Corkran, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Corkran has its roots in Ireland, originating in the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic words "corr" meaning "odd" or "irregular," and "crann" meaning "tree" or "bush." This combination suggests an association with a distinctive or unusual tree or shrub, possibly related to a particular location or landmark.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Fiants of the Tudor conquest of Ireland, dated around the 16th century. These records mention individuals with the surname Corkran residing in County Fermanagh, in the northern part of Ireland. The name also appears in various land registry documents from the 17th and 18th centuries, indicating its presence in counties like Donegal and Tyrone.
Historically, the Corkran surname has been associated with several notable figures. One such individual was John Corkran (1711-1779), an Irish clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Ardagh from 1760 until his death. His literary works include a volume of sermons published in 1767.
Another notable bearer of the name was William Corkran (1832-1903), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 19th century. He rose to the rank of Admiral and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in recognition of his distinguished service.
In the United States, one of the earliest recorded instances of the Corkran surname dates back to the late 18th century. James Corkran (1763-1832) was an American politician and jurist who served as a judge in Delaware and was involved in the state's ratification of the United States Constitution.
The name Corkran has also been associated with various place names and geographical locations throughout Ireland. For example, the townland of Corkran in County Fermanagh is believed to have derived its name from the Corkran family who historically resided in the area.
Another notable figure with the Corkran surname was Sir John Corkran (1825-1899), an Irish-born Australian politician and judge. He served as a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales and later became a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
While the Corkran surname may have undergone slight variations in spelling over the centuries, such as Corcran or Corkrane, its origins and connections to Ireland have remained firmly rooted in its history and lineage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Corkran 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. Surrey leads with 15 Corkrans recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.17x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 15 | 7.17x |
| Wigtownshire | 11 | 192.98x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 4.32x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.79x |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 7.14x |
| Northamptonshire | 3 | 7.43x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kirkmaiden in Wigtownshire leads with 10 Corkrans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2777.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkmaiden | 10 | 2777.78x |
| Kingston On Thames | 7 | 139.44x |
| Glasgow | 6 | 24.35x |
| Long Ditton | 6 | 1764.71x |
| Burnley | 4 | 93.24x |
| Clifton Upon Teme | 4 | 5714.29x |
| Northampton All Sts | 3 | 218.98x |
| Byfleet | 1 | 526.32x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 4.16x |
| Inch | 1 | 178.57x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Corkran 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 Corkran 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 Corkran households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Cotton Spinner | 2 |
| Scho | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Boot Rivetter | 1 |
| Cotton Carding | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Fitter Shoe | 1 |
| Fly Driver | 1 |
| Income From Annuity Insurance | 1 |
| Landowner J P | 1 |
| Lt Colonel In Army | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 44 people were recorded with the Corkran surname. That placed it at #27,447 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Corkran a modern rank of #37,829.
An anglicized form of the Irish surname Corcoran, derived from the Irish Ó Corcráin meaning "descendant of Corcran".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Corkran 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.