NameCensus.

UK surname

Glinn

Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "glinne" meaning "valley dweller".

In the 1881 census there were 83 people recorded with the Glinn surname, ranking it #21,808 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 93, ranked #31,945, down from #21,808 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Devonport Stonehouse, East, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bristol, Dover and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Glinn is 126 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.0%.

1881 census count

83

Ranked #21,808

Modern count

93

2016, ranked #31,945

Peak year

1901

126 bearers

Map years

5

1851 to 1998

Key insights

  • Glinn had 83 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,808 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 93 in 2016, ranked #31,945.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 126 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Glinn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Glinn surname density by area, 1998 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Glinn 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 102 #16,933
1861 historical 118 #18,512
1881 historical 83 #21,808
1891 historical 88 #25,677
1901 historical 126 #19,970
1911 historical 112 #21,274
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 110 #26,315
2000 modern 107 #26,700
2001 modern 101 #27,252
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 97 #28,217
2004 modern 94 #28,896
2005 modern 94 #28,973
2006 modern 87 #30,292
2007 modern 85 #30,954
2008 modern 89 #30,713
2009 modern 87 #31,489
2010 modern 92 #31,366
2011 modern 99 #30,218
2012 modern 90 #31,790
2013 modern 89 #32,248
2014 modern 91 #32,219
2015 modern 92 #32,075
2016 modern 93 #31,945

Geography

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Where Glinns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Devonport Stonehouse, East, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Liverpool, Rame and Plympstock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bristol, Dover, West Devon and West Berkshire. 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 Devonport Stonehouse, East Devon
2 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Rame Cornwall
5 Plympstock Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bristol 002 Bristol, City of
2 Bristol 007 Bristol, City of
3 Dover 007 Dover
4 West Devon 006 West Devon
5 West Berkshire 019 West Berkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Glinn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Glinn

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Glinn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Glinn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Glinn is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

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Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Glinn 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

Glinn falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Glinn

The surname Glinn originated in Scotland, with its roots dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "glinn," which means "glen" or "valley." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived or worked in a particular glen or valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Glinn surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of homage rolls documenting those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. In these rolls, the name appears as "de Glyn," indicating that it was likely associated with a specific place name at that time.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Glinn surname was prevalent in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the regions of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. Historical records from this period often show variations in spelling, such as "Glyn," "Glynn," and "Glynne."

One notable figure bearing the Glinn surname was Sir John Glynn, a Welsh judge and politician who lived from 1599 to 1666. He served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Lord Chief Justice of England from 1659 to 1660.

Another prominent individual was Robert Glynn, an English physician and writer who lived from 1719 to 1800. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and published several works on medical topics, including "A Treatise on the Antient and Present State of the Counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth."

In the 19th century, the Glinn surname gained recognition through the achievements of Mary Glinn, an Irish-American labor activist and trade unionist. Born in 1844, she played a pivotal role in organizing workers and advocating for better working conditions in the textile industry.

The name Glinn can also be found in historical records from the Scottish Highlands, where it was sometimes associated with the place name "Glenlyon," a valley located in Perthshire. One notable individual from this region was Archibald Glenlyon, a Scottish soldier who fought in the Jacobite Risings of the 18th century.

Throughout its history, the Glinn surname has been carried by individuals from various backgrounds and professions, ranging from judges and politicians to activists and soldiers. While its origins can be traced back to Scotland, the name has since spread to other parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural influences of its bearers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Glinn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Glinn 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 18 Glinns recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.85x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 18 1.85x
Devon 14 8.21x
Cornwall 11 11.86x
Lanarkshire 7 2.64x
Middlesex 7 0.85x
Surrey 6 1.50x
Angus 4 5.27x
Kent 4 1.43x
Yorkshire 4 0.49x
Warwickshire 3 1.45x
Northumberland 2 1.64x
Staffordshire 2 0.72x
Derbyshire 1 0.78x
Royal Navy 1 10.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 7 Glinns recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.88x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 7 14.88x
Maker 7 813.95x
Stoke Damerel 6 50.29x
Widnes 6 85.59x
Lambeth 5 7.00x
Dundee 4 14.12x
East Stonehouse 4 119.05x
Liverpool 4 6.78x
Plymstock 4 449.44x
Bethnal Green London 3 8.43x
Halifax 3 25.17x
Leamington Priors 3 59.06x
Over Darwen 3 38.66x
Blackburn 2 7.73x
Gillingham 2 34.72x
Hackney London 2 4.35x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 27.47x
Rame 2 833.33x
Bow London 1 9.59x
Chelsea London 1 4.05x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 6.48x
Deptford St Paul 1 4.64x
Elford 1 833.33x
Epsom 1 51.28x
Everton 1 3.23x
Greenwich 1 7.67x
Gulval 1 166.67x
Madron Penzance 1 29.67x
Ollersett 1 400.00x
Parr 1 28.74x
Royal Navy 1 11.99x
Scarborough 1 13.55x
Wednesbury 1 14.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Catherine 3
Eliza 3
Ellen 3
Ann 1
Annie 1
Blanche 1
Caroline 1
Catharine 1
Cornelia 1
E.Cornelia 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Harriett 1
Julia 1
Lydia 1
Maggy 1
Margaret 1
Margrt.J. 1
Minnie 1
Rosa 1
Susanna 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 10
William 4
Edward 3
James 3
Andrew 2
Michael 2
Patrick 2
Peter 2
C.Fredk. 1
G.F. 1
Joseph 1
R. 1
Rarey 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Thomas 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Glinn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Glinn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 83 people were recorded with the Glinn surname. That placed it at #21,808 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Glinn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 93 in 2016. That gives Glinn a modern rank of #31,945.

What does the Glinn surname mean?

Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "glinne" meaning "valley dweller".

What does the Glinn map show?

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