UK surname
A surname meaning 'green rising ground' in Scottish Gaelic.
In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Erskin surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #30,609 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Edinburgh and Old Luce. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Erskin is 109 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 61.9%.
1881 census count
21
Ranked #30,609
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
109 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Erskin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Erskin surname density by area, 1861 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 | 66 | #21,617 |
| 1861 | historical | 109 | #19,693 |
| 1881 | historical | 21 | #30,609 |
| 1891 | historical | 36 | #31,465 |
| 1901 | historical | 29 | #30,848 |
| 1911 | historical | 11 | #32,463 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 15 | #36,457 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 10 | #37,001 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 7 | #37,379 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 3 | #38,334 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 3 | #38,526 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Edinburgh, Old Luce, Largs and Greenock. 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 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Old Luce | Wigtown |
| 4 | Largs | Ayr |
| 5 | Greenock | Renfrew |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Erskin 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 Erskin, 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 Erskin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Erskin 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, Erskin 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 Erskin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Erskin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Erskin is of Scottish origin, derived from the lands of Erskine in Renfrewshire. The name is believed to have originated in the 12th century, with the first recorded instance being Henry de Erskine, who witnessed a charter by King Malcolm IV in 1162.
The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words "iar" meaning "west" and "sgiath" meaning "wing" or "shelter," referring to the location of the lands of Erskine on the western side of the River Clyde. Alternatively, it may come from the Brittonic "er-ysgin" meaning "green rising ground."
In the 13th century, the Erskine family held the office of Hereditary Lord High Constable of Scotland, a position of great importance and prestige. Sir Robert Erskine (c. 1295-1385) served as Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland under King David II.
The Erskine name appears in several historical records, including the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1359 also mention various members of the Erskine family.
Notable individuals with the surname Erskin include John Erskine (1558-1634), a Scottish author and poet; Ralph Erskine (1685-1752), a Scottish minister and theologian; and Henry Erskine (1746-1817), a Scottish lawyer and politician who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland.
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Sir Thomas Erskine (c. 1310-1367) was a prominent military leader and a close companion of King Robert the Bruce. In the 15th century, Sir Thomas Erskine (1445-1494) was Lord High Constable of Scotland and played a crucial role in the Battle of Sauchieburn.
Another prominent figure was John Erskine (1509-1591), a Scottish Protestant reformer and supporter of John Knox, who became the first Protestant Superintendent of Angus and Mearns in 1560.
These are just a few examples of the historical significance and widespread use of the surname Erskin throughout Scotland's past, showcasing its deep roots and connections to important events and figures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Erskin 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. Renfrewshire leads with 6 Erskins recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.81x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Renfrewshire | 6 | 37.81x |
| Fife | 4 | 33.00x |
| Angus | 2 | 10.54x |
| Argyllshire | 2 | 35.09x |
| Durham | 2 | 3.28x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 3.02x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.41x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 3.65x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.49x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Inverkip in Renfrewshire leads with 4 Erskins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1081.08x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Inverkip | 4 | 1081.08x |
| Cults | 3 | 6000.00x |
| Abbey | 2 | 82.64x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 38.24x |
| Dunoon Kilmun | 2 | 454.55x |
| Cambusnethan | 1 | 68.03x |
| Cupar | 1 | 188.68x |
| Dundee | 1 | 14.12x |
| Edinburgh High Church | 1 | 588.24x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 8.50x |
| Hopwood | 1 | 312.50x |
| Liff Benvie | 1 | 34.72x |
| Pontefract | 1 | 227.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Erskin 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 Erskin 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 Erskin households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| General Servant | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Erskin surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Erskin a modern rank of #37,829.
A surname meaning 'green rising ground' in Scottish Gaelic.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Erskin 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.