NameCensus.

UK surname

Gavigan

An Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Ó Geibheannaigh surname translating to descendant of the grandson.

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Gavigan surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 287, ranked #15,212, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Renfrew South, East Riding of Yorkshire and Lambeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gavigan is 294 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1095.8%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

287

2016, ranked #15,212

Peak year

2014

294 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gavigan had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 287 in 2016, ranked #15,212.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 86 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gavigan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gavigan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gavigan 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1891 historical 63 #28,881
1901 historical 86 #24,508
1911 historical 46 #28,224
1997 modern 259 #14,912
1998 modern 272 #14,846
1999 modern 281 #14,578
2000 modern 292 #14,165
2001 modern 275 #14,540
2002 modern 281 #14,619
2003 modern 257 #15,341
2004 modern 266 #15,075
2005 modern 275 #14,624
2006 modern 268 #15,000
2007 modern 272 #14,994
2008 modern 272 #15,152
2009 modern 279 #15,184
2010 modern 281 #15,441
2011 modern 274 #15,571
2012 modern 285 #15,050
2013 modern 292 #15,027
2014 modern 294 #15,047
2015 modern 290 #15,117
2016 modern 287 #15,212

Geography

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Where Gavigans 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 Renfrew South, East Riding of Yorkshire, Lambeth, Weymouth and Portland and Carmunnock South. 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 Renfrew South Renfrewshire
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 009 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 Lambeth 027 Lambeth
4 Weymouth and Portland 004 Weymouth and Portland
5 Carmunnock South Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gavigan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gavigan

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Gavigan 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

Gavigan is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gavigan 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 Gavigan 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 Gavigan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gavigan

The surname Gavigan has its roots in Ireland, originating in the ancient Gaelic language. It is believed to have derived from the Irish Gaelic words "gamhan" meaning "calf" and "gan" meaning "without," suggesting a possible connection to cattle herding or farming. The earliest recorded spellings of the name include Gauvigan, Gavagan, and Gavehan.

The name first appeared in historical records during the 12th century, with references to individuals bearing the surname in County Cavan, Ireland. One of the earliest documented instances is from the Annals of Ulster, which mentions a "Máel Brigte Ua Gauvigan" in the year 1199. This entry suggests that the name was already well-established in the region by that time.

During the 16th century, the Gavigans were prominent landowners in County Cavan, with records indicating their presence in the parishes of Kilmore and Lurgan. The Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns of Ireland, a collection of official documents from the Tudor period, mention several Gavigans, including Edmond Gavigan, who received a pardon in 1586.

One notable individual from this era was Sir John Gavigan, a military officer born in County Cavan in the late 16th century. He served in the Irish Confederate Wars and was knighted for his service to the Catholic cause. His descendants continued to play a significant role in the region for several generations.

In the 17th century, the Gavigans were among the prominent families affected by the Cromwellian Settlement and the subsequent redistribution of land in Ireland. Many were forced to relocate or lost their ancestral lands during this turbulent period.

Another notable figure was Patrick Gavigan, born in County Cavan in 1720. He was a prominent Catholic priest and educator who played a crucial role in establishing schools in the region during a time when Catholic education was highly restricted.

As the Gavigan family spread throughout Ireland and beyond, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Gavagan, Gavegan, and Gavigan. While the name is primarily associated with County Cavan, it can also be found in other parts of Ireland, as well as in immigrant communities in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gavigan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gavigan 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 9 Gavigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.24x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 9 3.24x
Yorkshire 7 3.02x
Kirkcudbrightshire 5 147.49x
Lanarkshire 3 3.96x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ince In Makerfield in Lancashire leads with 7 Gavigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 542.64x.

Place Total Index
Ince In Makerfield 7 542.64x
Holy Trinity 4 71.68x
Kirkcudbright 4 1428.57x
Bothwell 3 146.34x
Sheffield 3 40.65x
Oldham 2 22.32x
Girthon 1 909.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 2
Catherine 1
Elizth. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 3
Anthony 2
Peter 2
Edward 1
Hugh 1
John 1
Patrick 1
Wm. 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 Gavigan households.

FAQ

Gavigan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gavigan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Gavigan surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gavigan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 287 in 2016. That gives Gavigan a modern rank of #15,212.

What does the Gavigan surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Ó Geibheannaigh surname translating to descendant of the grandson.

What does the Gavigan map show?

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