NameCensus.

UK surname

Finnie

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic term "fionn" meaning fair or white-haired.

In the 1881 census there were 1,038 people recorded with the Finnie surname, ranking it #3,783 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,043, ranked #3,160, up from #3,783 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Old Deer, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Longside and Rattray, Mintlaw and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Finnie is 2,044 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 96.8%.

1881 census count

1,038

Ranked #3,783

Modern count

2,043

2016, ranked #3,160

Peak year

2010

2,044 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Finnie had 1,038 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,783 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,043 in 2016, ranked #3,160.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,265 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Finnie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Finnie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Finnie 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 687 #3,787
1861 historical 728 #3,738
1881 historical 1,038 #3,783
1891 historical 1,193 #3,592
1901 historical 1,265 #3,916
1911 historical 161 #17,072
1997 modern 1,938 #3,126
1998 modern 2,006 #3,152
1999 modern 2,031 #3,146
2000 modern 2,010 #3,156
2001 modern 1,975 #3,136
2002 modern 2,005 #3,165
2003 modern 1,949 #3,183
2004 modern 1,951 #3,182
2005 modern 1,958 #3,146
2006 modern 1,998 #3,099
2007 modern 2,020 #3,096
2008 modern 2,026 #3,112
2009 modern 2,013 #3,196
2010 modern 2,044 #3,212
2011 modern 2,008 #3,228
2012 modern 1,938 #3,268
2013 modern 1,979 #3,273
2014 modern 2,027 #3,231
2015 modern 2,041 #3,173
2016 modern 2,043 #3,160

Geography

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Where Finnies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Old Deer, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Greenock and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Longside and Rattray, Mintlaw, Rotherham, Newmilns and New Pitsligo. 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 Old Deer Aberdeen
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Greenock Renfrew
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Longside and Rattray Aberdeenshire
2 Mintlaw Aberdeenshire
3 Rotherham 026 Rotherham
4 Newmilns East Ayrshire
5 New Pitsligo Aberdeenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Finnie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Finnie

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Finnie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Finnie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Finnie is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Finnie is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Finnie falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Finnie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Finnie

The surname Finnie originated in Scotland, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "fionn," meaning "fair-haired" or "white." This suggests that the name may have been initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone with fair or blonde hair.

The earliest known bearer of the name was Gillebride Fynyn, who was recorded in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1265. The name was also found in various Scottish records, such as the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in the form "Finny" in the Scottish Highlands. This spelling variation was likely influenced by the Gaelic pronunciation of the name. One notable bearer was Donald Finny, a Scottish soldier who fought in the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 against the English.

The surname Finnie also has connections to various place names in Scotland. For instance, the village of Finnie in Moray, Scotland, may have derived its name from the same Gaelic root as the surname. This suggests that the surname could have originated from a geographic location rather than a personal characteristic.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Finnie throughout history:

1. Alexander Finnie (1819-1894), a Scottish-born American businessman and banker who co-founded the First National Bank of Cincinnati. 2. John Finnie (1829-1915), a Scottish-born architect who designed several notable buildings in Melbourne, Australia, including the Scots' Church and the Windsor Hotel. 3. Nora Finnie (1880-1957), a Scottish artist and painter known for her landscape and still-life paintings. 4. Donald Finnie (1896-1977), a Scottish footballer who played as a forward for several clubs, including Motherwell and Hibernian. 5. David Finnie (1935-2022), a Scottish mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to the field of computational fluid dynamics.

The surname Finnie has a rich history deeply rooted in Scotland, with various theories surrounding its origins and meanings. While the exact derivation remains uncertain, the name's enduring presence across centuries highlights its significance in Scottish heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Finnie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Finnie 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 303 Finnies recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.22x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 303 32.22x
Lanarkshire 192 5.85x
Midlothian 149 10.95x
Ayrshire 93 12.24x
Renfrewshire 88 11.18x
Banffshire 31 14.72x
Middlesex 30 0.30x
Angus 23 2.44x
Lancashire 22 0.18x
West Lothian 18 11.77x
Fife 17 2.83x
Buteshire 14 22.75x
Channel Islands 11 3.66x
Northumberland 7 0.46x
Yorkshire 7 0.07x
Peeblesshire 4 8.38x
Stirlingshire 4 1.07x
Argyllshire 3 1.06x
Dunbartonshire 3 1.10x
Morayshire 3 1.90x
Somerset 3 0.18x
Wigtownshire 3 2.22x
Durham 2 0.07x
East Lothian 2 1.49x
Sussex 2 0.12x
Sutherland 2 2.56x
Cheshire 1 0.04x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.45x
Kincardineshire 1 0.81x
Perthshire 1 0.22x
Surrey 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 56 Finnies recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.23x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 56 10.23x
Govan 46 5.66x
Old Deer 44 246.91x
Peterhead 43 86.47x
Barony 35 4.21x
South Leith 21 13.72x
East Greenock 20 26.91x
Rutherglen 20 41.51x
Aberdeen Old Machar 19 9.68x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 19 10.80x
Marnoch 19 167.99x
New Monkland 17 17.51x
Longside 16 142.48x
Monquhitter 16 164.27x
Strichen 16 195.84x
West Greenock 16 11.33x
Fyvie 15 97.72x
Glasgow 15 2.57x
Irvine 15 71.06x
Loudoun 15 82.06x
Dalmellington 13 58.17x
Bathgate 12 36.14x
Paisley High Church 12 19.15x
Tyrie 12 101.69x
Hamilton 11 12.01x
Islington London 11 1.12x
St Helier 11 11.23x
Abbey 10 8.33x
Carnwath 10 49.24x
Fraserburgh 10 37.78x
New Deer 10 58.72x
West Calder 10 37.30x
Airlie 9 298.01x
Brechin 9 24.34x
Cambusnethan 9 12.34x
Crathie Braemar 9 160.14x
Edinburgh St Johns 9 104.77x
Ellon 9 69.61x
Kilwinning 9 36.67x
Rathen 9 91.37x
Edinburgh St Stephens 8 29.87x
Kilmarnock 8 8.84x
Ballingry 7 188.68x
Belhelvie 7 108.86x
Bothwell 7 7.86x
Cumbrae 7 108.19x
East West Greenock 7 551.18x
Forgue 7 82.84x
Methlick 7 92.96x
New Machar 7 132.58x
Rothesay 7 23.49x
Auckinleck 6 25.50x
Beath 6 31.58x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 6 18.65x
Edinburgh Newington 6 246.91x
Edinburgh St Marys 6 22.68x
Muirkirk 6 33.61x
North Leith 6 9.53x
Poplar London 6 3.13x
St Quivox 6 23.36x
Dalserf 5 15.26x
Glassford 5 98.81x
Hulme 5 1.99x
Inverkip 5 26.95x
King Edward 5 46.13x
Kirkdale 5 2.47x
Leeds 5 0.88x
Lonmay 5 58.55x
Belford 4 124.22x
Edinburgh St Georges 4 14.17x
Kilbirnie 4 21.92x
Linlithgow 4 20.40x
Liverpool 4 0.55x
Old Monkland 4 3.07x
Paisley Low Church 4 16.06x
Peebles 4 28.33x
Toxteth Park 4 0.98x
Wemyss 4 15.73x
Bedlington 3 5.95x
Inverkeithny 3 93.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Agnes 5
Elizabeth 4
Mary 4
Jane 3
Margaret 3
Annie 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Hannah 2
Lily 2
Alice 1
Amelia 1
Antionette 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Carrie 1
Charlotte 1
Elenor 1
Emma 1
Frances 1
Helen 1
Isabella 1
Laura 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Nancy 1
Rhoda 1
Zillah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Finnie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Finnie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,038 people were recorded with the Finnie surname. That placed it at #3,783 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Finnie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,043 in 2016. That gives Finnie a modern rank of #3,160.

What does the Finnie surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic term "fionn" meaning fair or white-haired.

What does the Finnie map show?

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