NameCensus.

UK surname

Gillin

A derivative of the Irish surnames Ó Gilín or Ó Gillín, meaning "descendant of Gillín".

In the 1881 census there were 153 people recorded with the Gillin surname, ranking it #15,320 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 194, ranked #19,976, down from #15,320 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Ratho and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carntyne West and Haghill, Liverpool and Lancaster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gillin is 204 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.8%.

1881 census count

153

Ranked #15,320

Modern count

194

2016, ranked #19,976

Peak year

2010

204 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gillin had 153 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,320 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016, ranked #19,976.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 188 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Small Town Suburbia.

Gillin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gillin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gillin 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 137 #13,812
1861 historical 188 #12,628
1881 historical 153 #15,320
1891 historical 165 #17,143
1901 historical 160 #17,387
1911 historical 133 #19,214
1997 modern 182 #18,693
1998 modern 185 #18,973
1999 modern 195 #18,517
2000 modern 181 #19,360
2001 modern 175 #19,484
2002 modern 178 #19,671
2003 modern 179 #19,416
2004 modern 175 #19,805
2005 modern 185 #19,051
2006 modern 188 #19,023
2007 modern 187 #19,271
2008 modern 186 #19,524
2009 modern 194 #19,398
2010 modern 204 #19,200
2011 modern 203 #19,098
2012 modern 196 #19,463
2013 modern 197 #19,725
2014 modern 191 #20,302
2015 modern 194 #19,994
2016 modern 194 #19,976

Geography

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Where Gillins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Ratho, Govan Combination, Toxteth Park and Greenock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carntyne West and Haghill, Liverpool, Lancaster and Craigend and Ruchazie. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 Ratho Edinburgh
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Greenock Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carntyne West and Haghill Glasgow City
2 Liverpool 055 Liverpool
3 Lancaster 019 Lancaster
4 Liverpool 020 Liverpool
5 Craigend and Ruchazie Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gillin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gillin

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Small Town Suburbia

Nationally, the Gillin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Small Town Suburbia, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Gillin 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 is predominantly comprised of married couples with no resident dependent children, living in areas characterised neither by under-occupancy nor overcrowding throughout the UK in or adjacent to small towns. White ethnic groups and affiliation with Christianity predominates. Housing tends to be predominantly semi-detached or detached and workers are employed principally in managerial and professional occupations, with semi-skilled occupations also in evidence. These areas of the Supergroup are of higher population density.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Gillin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gillin 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

Gillin 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 Gillin 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Gillin

The surname Gillin is believed to have originated in Ireland, with roots tracing back to the 16th century. The name is likely derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Giolláin," meaning "descendant of the devotee." It is thought to have been a common name among Irish families, particularly in the counties of Donegal, Galway, and Mayo.

One of the earliest known records of the Gillin name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention a Gillin O'Donnelly, who served as a chieftain in County Donegal during the 14th century.

In the late 16th century, the Gillin name appeared in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereign, a collection of administrative records from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. These records document land grants and appointments to various individuals, including several members of the Gillin family.

The Gillin surname has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history. In the 18th century, Patrick Gillin (1701-1779) was a prominent Irish politician and landowner who served as a member of the Irish Parliament. Another notable bearer of the name was John Gillin (1819-1899), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the shipping industry.

During the 19th century, the Gillin name gained recognition in the world of literature. Thomas Gillin (1839-1915) was an Irish poet and author who wrote extensively about life in rural Ireland. His works, such as "The Bard's Lament" and "The Blacksmith's Daughter," captured the essence of Irish culture and traditions.

In more recent times, the Gillin surname has been carried by several accomplished individuals. William Gillin (1925-2010) was an influential American journalist and author who served as the editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times. John Gillin (1917-1998) was a prominent American businessman and philanthropist, best known for his involvement in the telecommunications industry.

The Gillin name has also been associated with various place names throughout Ireland, including Gillincarra in County Donegal and Gillincurragh in County Mayo. These place names likely derived from the Gaelic phrase "Baile Uí Giolláin," meaning "town of the Gillin family."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gillin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gillin 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 31 Gillins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.75x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 31 1.75x
Lanarkshire 25 5.18x
Middlesex 14 0.94x
Yorkshire 14 0.95x
Northumberland 11 4.95x
Durham 10 2.25x
Argyllshire 9 21.67x
Kirkcudbrightshire 8 37.04x
Midlothian 7 3.50x
Renfrewshire 6 5.19x
Banffshire 3 9.69x
Warwickshire 3 0.80x
Cumberland 2 1.56x
Wigtownshire 2 10.10x
Berkshire 1 0.89x
Essex 1 0.34x
Hampshire 1 0.33x
Morayshire 1 4.31x
Roxburghshire 1 3.70x
Stirlingshire 1 1.82x
Surrey 1 0.14x
Wiltshire 1 0.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cambusnethan in Lanarkshire leads with 9 Gillins recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.96x.

Place Total Index
Cambusnethan 9 83.96x
Campbeltown 9 179.64x
Glasgow 8 9.34x
Liverpool 8 7.44x
Troqueer 8 282.69x
Manningham 6 32.93x
Ardwick 5 31.31x
Bradford 5 13.97x
Govan 5 4.19x
Warrington 5 23.82x
West Greenock 5 24.08x
Birling 4 10000.00x
Edinburgh High Church 4 320.00x
Limehouse London 4 24.42x
Longbenton 4 42.55x
Parr 4 63.19x
Seaham 4 246.91x
Shoreditch London 4 6.18x
Aston 3 2.89x
Everton 3 5.32x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 15.60x
Hulme 3 8.11x
Kensington London 3 3.62x
Penistone 3 260.87x
Ratho 3 322.58x
Rathven 3 51.64x
Ryton 3 192.31x
Byker 2 18.21x
Mile End New Town London 2 67.80x
Old Monkland 2 10.44x
Stranraer 2 110.50x
Barrow In Furness 1 4.15x
Bothwell 1 7.64x
Camberwell 1 1.05x
Cookham 1 28.65x
Elgin 1 22.17x
Haile 1 666.67x
Kington Langley 1 344.83x
North Shields 1 22.57x
Openshaw 1 12.06x
Oxnam 1 285.71x
Paisley High Church 1 10.86x
South Stoneham 1 15.08x
St George Hanover Square 1 3.80x
Stirling 1 14.41x
Ulpha 1 666.67x
Upminster 1 163.93x
West Broughton 1 166.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Ann 7
Jane 5
Agnes 4
Alice 4
Catherine 3
Elizabeth 2
Margaret 2
Rose 2
Agatha 1
Annie 1
Asther 1
Barbara 1
Bridget 1
Christina 1
Clemace 1
Delilah 1
Ellen 1
Elsie 1
Esther 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Martha 1
Rebecca 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 5
John 4
Thomas 4
Charles 3
William 3
Alfred 2
Joseph 2
Luke 2
Michael 2
Andrew 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Geo.Saml. 1
Hy. 1
Jas. 1
Patrick 1
Sidney 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Gillin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gillin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 153 people were recorded with the Gillin surname. That placed it at #15,320 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gillin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016. That gives Gillin a modern rank of #19,976.

What does the Gillin surname mean?

A derivative of the Irish surnames Ó Gilín or Ó Gillín, meaning "descendant of Gillín".

What does the Gillin map show?

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