NameCensus.

UK surname

Durcan

Of Irish origin, a habitational surname denoting someone from a place called Durcan.

In the 1881 census there were 35 people recorded with the Durcan surname, ranking it #28,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 329, ranked #13,798, up from #28,715 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include City Centre, Halton and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Durcan is 338 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 840.0%.

1881 census count

35

Ranked #28,715

Modern count

329

2016, ranked #13,798

Peak year

2015

338 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Durcan had 35 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,715 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 329 in 2016, ranked #13,798.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 75 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Durcan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Durcan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Durcan 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 26 #28,667
1861 historical 26 #30,677
1881 historical 35 #28,715
1891 historical 75 #27,414
1901 historical 71 #26,277
1911 historical 33 #29,703
1997 modern 282 #14,072
1998 modern 282 #14,472
1999 modern 302 #13,895
2000 modern 297 #14,008
2001 modern 283 #14,247
2002 modern 296 #14,110
2003 modern 286 #14,259
2004 modern 289 #14,219
2005 modern 288 #14,189
2006 modern 298 #13,973
2007 modern 304 #13,927
2008 modern 310 #13,834
2009 modern 326 #13,630
2010 modern 335 #13,645
2011 modern 323 #13,868
2012 modern 322 #13,799
2013 modern 329 #13,810
2014 modern 332 #13,807
2015 modern 338 #13,527
2016 modern 329 #13,798

Geography

Back to top

Where Durcans 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 City Centre, Halton, Harrow, Flintshire and Babergh. 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 City Centre Dundee City
2 Halton 008 Halton
3 Harrow 021 Harrow
4 Flintshire 015 Flintshire
5 Babergh 002 Babergh

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Durcan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Durcan

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Durcan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Durcan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Durcan is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Durcan 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

Durcan falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Durcan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Durcan

The surname DURCAN is believed to have originated in Ireland during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic personal name Dúrcán, which means "little dark man" or "dark chief." This name is composed of the elements "dur" meaning "dark" and the diminutive suffix "-cán."

The earliest recorded mention of the name DURCAN can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. It refers to Dúrcán mac Domhnaill, who was the Chief of Clann Chualann, a prominent Irish clan based in County Wicklow, in the late 11th century.

In the 12th century, the name DURCAN appeared in the Book of Leinster, an important medieval Irish manuscript. It mentions Dúrcán Ua Conchobair, a cleric and scribe who was involved in the compilation of the manuscript.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name DURCAN was particularly prevalent in County Mayo and County Sligo in the west of Ireland. Several members of the DURCAN family held prominent positions in these areas, such as Dúrcán Ó Dubhda (1280-1349), who was a renowned poet and historian from County Mayo.

In the 16th century, one notable figure with the surname DURCAN was Shane DURCAN (1525-1587), a poet and chieftain from County Sligo. He was known for his contributions to Irish literature and his support for the Gaelic Irish culture.

Another famous bearer of the name was Tadhg DURCAN (1680-1752), a Franciscan friar and scholar from County Mayo. He was a prolific writer and wrote extensively on Irish history and language.

In the 19th century, John DURCAN (1809-1884) was a prominent Irish politician and Member of Parliament who represented County Sligo in the House of Commons.

Throughout history, variations of the name DURCAN have included Dorkan, Durkin, Doorcan, and Durgan. These spellings often reflected regional dialects and the anglicization of the name over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Durcan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Durcan 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. Lancashire leads with 12 Durcans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.96x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 12 2.96x
Flintshire 8 87.24x
Gloucestershire 8 11.95x
Yorkshire 3 0.89x
Caernarfonshire 2 14.49x
Durham 1 0.99x
Lincolnshire 1 1.83x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clifton in Gloucestershire leads with 8 Durcans recorded in 1881 and an index of 236.69x.

Place Total Index
Clifton 8 236.69x
St Asaph 6 3333.33x
Great Bolton 5 93.28x
Burnley 3 87.98x
Withnell 3 1200.00x
Bangor 2 150.38x
Holywell 2 173.91x
Leeds 2 10.48x
Darlington 1 25.51x
Goole 1 175.44x
Padiham 1 102.04x
Pinchbeck 1 285.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 3
Ann 2
Bridget 2
Cathrine 1
Ellen 1
Florance 1
Mary 1
May 1
Monoria 1
Sarah 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Patrick 5
James 4
John 3
Timothy 2
William 2
Charles 1
Edward 1
Peter 1
Robert 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 Durcan households.

FAQ

Durcan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Durcan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 35 people were recorded with the Durcan surname. That placed it at #28,715 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Durcan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 329 in 2016. That gives Durcan a modern rank of #13,798.

What does the Durcan surname mean?

Of Irish origin, a habitational surname denoting someone from a place called Durcan.

What does the Durcan map show?

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