NameCensus.

UK surname

Folan

A surname of Irish origin, possibly derived from the Irish Gaelic "folán" meaning trickster or jester.

In the 1881 census there were 79 people recorded with the Folan surname, ranking it #22,357 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 768, ranked #7,143, up from #22,357 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Cardross and Perth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Drumchapel North and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Folan is 819 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 872.2%.

1881 census count

79

Ranked #22,357

Modern count

768

2016, ranked #7,143

Peak year

2010

819 bearers

Map years

4

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Folan had 79 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,357 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 768 in 2016, ranked #7,143.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 102 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Folan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Folan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Folan 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 82 #23,321
1881 historical 79 #22,357
1891 historical 102 #23,719
1901 historical 91 #23,921
1911 historical 18 #31,542
1997 modern 736 #6,974
1998 modern 753 #7,075
1999 modern 777 #6,948
2000 modern 771 #6,967
2001 modern 761 #6,917
2002 modern 768 #6,990
2003 modern 746 #7,049
2004 modern 768 #6,898
2005 modern 768 #6,823
2006 modern 753 #6,963
2007 modern 773 #6,887
2008 modern 764 #6,999
2009 modern 803 #6,865
2010 modern 819 #6,884
2011 modern 808 #6,874
2012 modern 784 #6,968
2013 modern 776 #7,148
2014 modern 797 #7,022
2015 modern 779 #7,082
2016 modern 768 #7,143

Geography

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Where Folans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Cardross, Perth, Greenock and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kirklees, Drumchapel North and Southwark. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Cardross Dunbarton
3 Perth Perth
4 Greenock Renfrew
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kirklees 025 Kirklees
2 Kirklees 029 Kirklees
3 Drumchapel North Glasgow City
4 Southwark 016 Southwark
5 Kirklees 022 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Folan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Folan

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Folan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Folan 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Folan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Folan 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

Folan falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Folan 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 Folan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Folan

The surname Folan is believed to have originated in Ireland, specifically in the counties of Mayo and Sligo, during the 16th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "folúnta," which means "generous" or "hospitable." This suggests that the name may have been given as a descriptive nickname to someone who possessed these qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Folan can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention a Folan O'Mulconry, who was a prominent scribe and historian from County Mayo in the 16th century.

The Folan surname has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Folan's Cross and Folan's Well, both located in County Mayo. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname Folan who resided in or owned land in those areas.

In terms of notable individuals with the surname Folan, one of the earliest and most significant figures was Edmond Folan (c. 1787 - 1866), an Irish scholar and language revivalist. He was a prominent figure in the Gaelic Revival movement and played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the Irish language and culture.

Another notable Folan was Patrick Folan (1859 - 1942), an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia from 1923 to 1942. He was instrumental in establishing the Catholic Church in the region and worked tirelessly to spread the faith.

In the realm of literature, John Folan (1916 - 1998) was an Irish poet and playwright known for his works that explored themes of rural life and Irish identity. His play "The Cock-a-Doodle Dandy" was a critical success and helped establish him as a prominent voice in Irish literature.

Moving to the field of sports, Michael Folan (1887 - 1942) was an Irish hurler who played for the Galway senior hurling team and was part of the All-Ireland winning team in 1923 and 1924. He is remembered as one of the greatest hurlers of his era.

Lastly, in the world of politics, Thomas Folan (1875 - 1944) was an Irish politician who served as a member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland for the constituency of Fermanagh and Tyrone from 1925 to 1944. He was a prominent figure in the Irish nationalist movement and advocated for the rights of Catholics in Northern Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Folan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Folan 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. Lanarkshire leads with 13 Folans recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.28x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 13 5.28x
Dunbartonshire 10 48.92x
Durham 9 3.98x
Perthshire 9 26.36x
Yorkshire 7 0.93x
Hampshire 6 3.85x
Cambridgeshire 5 10.38x
Stirlingshire 4 14.26x
Lancashire 3 0.33x
Midlothian 3 2.94x
Renfrewshire 3 5.09x
Royal Navy 2 22.05x
Angus 1 1.42x
Kent 1 0.39x
Middlesex 1 0.13x
Sussex 1 0.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 13 Folans recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.36x.

Place Total Index
Govan 13 21.36x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 9 91.84x
Cardross 8 326.53x
Batley 6 83.80x
Perth West Church 6 370.37x
Portsea 6 19.63x
Bassingbourn 5 704.23x
Balfron 4 1142.86x
East Greenock 3 53.86x
Perth Middle Church 3 234.38x
Dumbarton 2 70.18x
Kirkdale 2 13.17x
South Leith 2 17.44x
Cheriton 1 94.34x
Edinburgh Old 1 161.29x
Leeds 1 2.35x
Lurgashall 1 526.32x
Newtyle 1 416.67x
Prescot 1 61.35x
St George Hanover Square 1 7.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Barbara 1
Bridget 1
Ellen 1
Margaret 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 4
Thomas 4
Patrick 3
James 2
Joseph 2
Edward 1
Fatrick 1
Francis 1
Mashin 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
William 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 Folan households.

FAQ

Folan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Folan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 79 people were recorded with the Folan surname. That placed it at #22,357 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Folan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 768 in 2016. That gives Folan a modern rank of #7,143.

What does the Folan surname mean?

A surname of Irish origin, possibly derived from the Irish Gaelic "folán" meaning trickster or jester.

What does the Folan map show?

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