NameCensus.

UK surname

Goan

A surname indicating ancestry from the Indian state of Goa.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Goan surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 109, ranked #29,402, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goan is 109 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3533.3%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

2016

109 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goan had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 17 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Goan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goan 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 17 #31,714
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 6 #33,255
1997 modern 77 #29,874
1998 modern 74 #30,562
1999 modern 72 #30,955
2000 modern 70 #31,180
2001 modern 67 #31,297
2002 modern 73 #31,159
2003 modern 76 #30,883
2004 modern 80 #30,679
2005 modern 84 #30,359
2006 modern 92 #29,576
2007 modern 92 #29,929
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 82 #32,048
2010 modern 81 #32,582
2011 modern 80 #32,652
2012 modern 87 #32,180
2013 modern 91 #32,020
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 101 #30,816
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Goans 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 Leicester and Birmingham. 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 Leicester 017 Leicester
2 Leicester 010 Leicester
3 Leicester 018 Leicester
4 Birmingham 089 Birmingham
5 Leicester 006 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goan

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Goan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Goan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Goan is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Goan 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

Goan falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Goan

The surname "GOAN" is believed to have originated in the state of Goa, located in western India. This name is derived from the Portuguese word "Goano," which means "a native or inhabitant of Goa." The Portuguese colonized Goa in the 16th century, and many Goans adopted Portuguese surnames during this period.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "GOAN" can be found in Portuguese colonial records from Goa, dating back to the 17th century. Several notable individuals have borne this surname throughout history, including Francisco de Albuquerque Goan (1619-1687), a Portuguese military officer and governor of Portuguese India, and Vasco Goan (1676-1742), a Portuguese priest and author.

In the 18th century, the surname "GOAN" appeared in various manuscripts and records related to the Portuguese presence in Goa. One such example is the "Memórias de Goa" (Memories of Goa), a collection of writings by Goan authors from the 18th and 19th centuries.

During the 19th century, the surname "GOAN" gained prominence in Goa and other parts of India, with several notable individuals bearing this name. For instance, José Inácio de Loiola Goan (1808-1875) was a Goan priest and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Konkani language and literature.

Another notable bearer of the surname "GOAN" was Miguel Caetano Goan (1860-1935), a Goan lawyer and politician who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. He served as the President of the Goa Provincial Congress Committee and was a vocal advocate for Goa's integration into India.

In the 20th century, the surname "GOAN" continued to be associated with notable figures, such as Lúcio Rodrigues Goan (1907-1969), a Goan writer and poet who made significant contributions to Konkani literature, and Joaquim Goan (1914-1986), a Goan artist known for his paintings depicting the culture and landscapes of Goa.

While the surname "GOAN" is primarily associated with individuals of Goan origin, it has also been adopted by people from other parts of India and abroad, particularly those with ancestral ties to Goa or Portuguese colonial connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goan 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. Glamorgan leads with 1 Goans recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.65x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 1 19.65x
Lanarkshire 1 10.58x
Lancashire 1 2.88x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 1 Goans recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.84x.

Place Total Index
Barony 1 41.84x
Fulwood 1 2500.00x
Newcastle Higher 1 3333.33x

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 1
Pat. 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 Goan households.

Occupation Count
Coal Miner 1
Pte 108 Regt 1

FAQ

Goan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Goan surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Goan a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Goan surname mean?

A surname indicating ancestry from the Indian state of Goa.

What does the Goan map show?

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