NameCensus.

UK surname

Curtin

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "O'Curtin," meaning "descendant of Curtin," a personal name of uncertain meaning.

In the 1881 census there were 226 people recorded with the Curtin surname, ranking it #11,889 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,271, ranked #4,712, up from #11,889 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lambeth and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Craven, Gwynedd and The Vale of Glamorgan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Curtin is 1,290 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 462.4%.

1881 census count

226

Ranked #11,889

Modern count

1,271

2016, ranked #4,712

Peak year

1999

1,290 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Curtin had 226 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,889 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,271 in 2016, ranked #4,712.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 446 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Curtin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Curtin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Curtin 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 152 #12,786
1861 historical 237 #10,359
1881 historical 226 #11,889
1891 historical 373 #9,367
1901 historical 383 #9,760
1911 historical 446 #8,566
1997 modern 1,202 #4,700
1998 modern 1,287 #4,620
1999 modern 1,290 #4,627
2000 modern 1,266 #4,691
2001 modern 1,226 #4,719
2002 modern 1,268 #4,684
2003 modern 1,272 #4,568
2004 modern 1,263 #4,603
2005 modern 1,257 #4,576
2006 modern 1,253 #4,599
2007 modern 1,265 #4,591
2008 modern 1,265 #4,617
2009 modern 1,285 #4,659
2010 modern 1,279 #4,771
2011 modern 1,263 #4,775
2012 modern 1,233 #4,806
2013 modern 1,280 #4,722
2014 modern 1,273 #4,771
2015 modern 1,271 #4,731
2016 modern 1,271 #4,712

Geography

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Where Curtins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lambeth and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Craven, Gwynedd, The Vale of Glamorgan and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Craven 008 Craven
2 Gwynedd 006 Gwynedd
3 The Vale of Glamorgan 004 Vale of Glamorgan
4 The Vale of Glamorgan 005 Vale of Glamorgan
5 Kensington and Chelsea 010 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Curtin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Curtin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Curtin, 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 Curtin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Curtin 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Curtin 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

Curtin 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

Curtin falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Curtin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Curtin

The surname Curtin originated in Ireland, likely in the 15th or 16th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "Ó Cuirtin," which means "descendant of Cuirtin." The name Cuirtin itself is thought to be a diminutive form of the word "curt," meaning "courteous" or "polite."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Curtin can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The Annals mention several individuals with the surname Curtin, including John Curtin, who was killed in a battle in 1548.

The Curtin surname was particularly prevalent in County Cork and County Kerry, where many families bearing this name lived for generations. Some notable individuals with the surname Curtin from this region include Sir Edmond Curtin (1542-1624), an Irish lawyer and judge, and Jeremiah Curtin (1835-1906), an American linguist and translator who specialized in Irish and Native American languages.

Another significant figure in the history of the Curtin surname is John Curtin (1885-1945), who served as the 14th Prime Minister of Australia during World War II. Born in Creswick, Victoria, Curtin played a crucial role in leading Australia's war effort and strengthening the country's alliance with the United States.

In the United States, the Curtin surname can be traced back to Irish immigrants who arrived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. One notable American with this surname was Andrew Gregg Curtin (1817-1894), who served as the Governor of Pennsylvania during the American Civil War and played a significant role in supporting the Union cause.

Other notable individuals with the surname Curtin include Kathleen Curtin (1884-1968), an American educator and author, and Michael Curtin (born 1954), an Irish-born Australian businessman and philanthropist.

While the Curtin surname has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread across the globe, with families bearing this name found in countries such as Australia, the United States, and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Curtin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Curtin 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. Middlesex leads with 57 Curtins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.50x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 57 2.50x
Lancashire 36 1.33x
Glamorgan 23 5.79x
Yorkshire 22 0.97x
Surrey 19 1.71x
Warwickshire 17 2.95x
Gloucestershire 14 3.13x
Kent 8 1.03x
Monmouthshire 6 3.64x
Channel Islands 5 7.39x
Cheshire 5 0.99x
Royal Navy 4 14.71x
Devon 3 0.63x
Durham 2 0.29x
Essex 2 0.44x
Lanarkshire 2 0.27x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.65x
Staffordshire 2 0.26x
Worcestershire 2 0.67x
Dorset 1 0.67x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 3.03x
Leicestershire 1 0.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 19 Curtins recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.55x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 19 11.55x
Birmingham 17 8.86x
Islington London 15 6.78x
Lambeth 9 4.52x
Westminster St James 9 38.36x
Cardiff St John 7 53.93x
Southcoates 7 55.73x
St Marylebone London 7 5.74x
Newington 6 7.12x
Ripon 6 114.29x
Bristol St James St Paul 5 33.49x
Haslingden 5 44.60x
Llantwit Vairdre 5 111.86x
Newton In Makerfield 5 60.31x
St Sampson 5 163.93x
Woolwich 5 17.38x
Bethnal Green London 4 4.03x
Cardiff St Mary 4 18.27x
Clifton 4 17.68x
Leeds 4 3.13x
Newport 4 50.83x
Royal Navy 4 17.20x
Sunbury 4 145.99x
Yeardsley Cum Whaley 4 404.04x
Michaelstone Super Avon 3 69.77x
Old Artillery Ground 3 153.06x
Penarth 3 77.32x
St George In East London 3 13.97x
St Giles In Fields London 3 26.79x
Walmer 3 88.50x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 3.38x
Bedwellty 2 6.87x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 2 49.02x
Bromley London 2 3.98x
Camberwell 2 1.37x
Govan 2 1.10x
Kings Norton 2 7.48x
Kirkdale 2 4.39x
Nottingham St Mary 2 2.51x
Sandal Magna 2 59.88x
Sculcoates 2 5.58x
St George Hanover Square 2 4.97x
Stoke Damerel 2 6.02x
Westbury On Trym 2 13.18x
Westminster St John 2 7.19x
Wolverhampton 2 3.38x
Balmaghie 1 138.89x
Bermondsey 1 1.47x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 4.65x
Bradbury 1 666.67x
Bristol St Paul In 1 8.38x
Bury 1 3.23x
Clapham 1 3.51x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 51.55x
East Ham 1 11.96x
Felstead 1 64.94x
Gelligaer 1 11.01x
Higher Bebington 1 30.96x
New Malton 1 37.04x
Oadby 1 73.53x
Old Park 1 138.89x
Rampisham 1 434.78x
St Anne Soho London 1 7.67x
St Gilesin Fields London 1 51.81x
St Martin In Fields 1 7.32x
Walton On Hill 1 6.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 25
Catherine 12
Ellen 9
Ann 7
Eliza 6
Elizabeth 5
Jane 4
Margaret 4
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Annie 3
Hannah 3
Kate 3
Bridget 2
Cathrine 2
Clara 2
Maria 2
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Caroline 1
Elenor 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Hanorah 1
Hariett 1
Harriet 1
Honora 1
Honorah 1
Julia 1
Julie 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Maggie 1
Matilda 1
Rose 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
Thomas 9
William 8
Daniel 7
Charles 6
David 6
Timothy 6
Cornelius 5
Joseph 5
Alfred 4
James 4
Michael 4
Patrick 4
George 3
Dennis 2
Morris 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Albert 1
Bartholemew 1
Conol 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Jeremiah 1
Pat 1
Ruben 1
Wilfred 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Curtin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Curtin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 226 people were recorded with the Curtin surname. That placed it at #11,889 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Curtin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,271 in 2016. That gives Curtin a modern rank of #4,712.

What does the Curtin surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "O'Curtin," meaning "descendant of Curtin," a personal name of uncertain meaning.

What does the Curtin map show?

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