NameCensus.

UK surname

Guinan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name Ó Geanainn meaning "descendant of Geanann".

In the 1881 census there were 41 people recorded with the Guinan surname, ranking it #27,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 324, ranked #13,966, up from #27,870 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St James Westminster, North Meols and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coventry, Canterbury and Carmarthenshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Guinan is 342 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 690.2%.

1881 census count

41

Ranked #27,870

Modern count

324

2016, ranked #13,966

Peak year

2014

342 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Guinan had 41 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,870 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 324 in 2016, ranked #13,966.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 103 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Guinan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Guinan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Guinan 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 32 #27,570
1861 historical 27 #30,543
1881 historical 41 #27,870
1891 historical 53 #29,946
1901 historical 69 #26,499
1911 historical 103 #22,328
1997 modern 321 #12,941
1998 modern 317 #13,392
1999 modern 311 #13,642
2000 modern 318 #13,415
2001 modern 313 #13,361
2002 modern 331 #13,115
2003 modern 318 #13,291
2004 modern 307 #13,685
2005 modern 309 #13,552
2006 modern 305 #13,766
2007 modern 314 #13,618
2008 modern 312 #13,764
2009 modern 320 #13,796
2010 modern 337 #13,580
2011 modern 334 #13,556
2012 modern 329 #13,593
2013 modern 335 #13,604
2014 modern 342 #13,498
2015 modern 328 #13,840
2016 modern 324 #13,966

Geography

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Where Guinans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St James Westminster, North Meols, London parishes, Manchester and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Coventry, Canterbury, Carmarthenshire, Liverpool and Thanet. 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 St James Westminster London (West Districts)
2 North Meols Lancashire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Coventry 035 Coventry
2 Canterbury 008 Canterbury
3 Carmarthenshire 018 Carmarthenshire
4 Liverpool 002 Liverpool
5 Thanet 005 Thanet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Guinan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Guinan

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Guinan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Guinan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Guinan is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Guinan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Guinan

The surname Guinan originated in Ireland, with its roots tracing back to the Gaelic language. The name is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "gionán," which means "a stubborn person" or "a person of an unbending nature." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed as a descriptive nickname upon an individual with a strong-willed or unyielding character.

Guinan is predominantly found in the northern counties of Ireland, particularly in Ulster and its surrounding regions. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 16th century, with several references appearing in various historical documents and records from that era.

One notable mention of the Guinan surname is found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled by Franciscan monks in the 17th century. The Annals reference a certain "Donnchadh Guinan," who was a prominent figure in County Fermanagh during the late 16th century.

Another early record of the name can be found in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, a collection of documents related to the English administration in Ireland during the 16th century. These records mention a "Patrick Guinan," who was granted lands in County Tyrone in 1592.

In the 18th century, a notable bearer of the Guinan surname was Reverend Andrew Guinan (1725-1803), a Catholic priest and scholar who served as the vicar-general of the Diocese of Clogher in County Tyrone. He was known for his extensive library and his contributions to the preservation of Irish literature and manuscripts.

The 19th century saw the emergence of John Guinan (1830-1901), a prominent Irish-American businessman and philanthropist from County Mayo. He made his fortune in the shipping industry and was a significant benefactor to various Catholic institutions and charities in New York City.

Another notable figure with the Guinan surname was Patrick Guinan (1857-1935), an Irish-American labor leader and politician from County Leitrim. He played a crucial role in the growth of the Brewery Workers' Union and served as a member of the New York State Assembly in the early 20th century.

While the Guinan surname has its roots firmly planted in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through Irish emigration. The name continues to hold a significant presence in countries with large Irish diaspora communities, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Guinan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Guinan 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 30 Guinans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.32x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 30 6.32x
Yorkshire 8 2.02x
Hampshire 1 1.22x
Kent 1 0.73x
Shetland 1 24.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birkdale in Lancashire leads with 8 Guinans recorded in 1881 and an index of 666.67x.

Place Total Index
Birkdale 8 666.67x
Bradford 8 83.42x
Everton 6 39.66x
Great Bolton 6 95.39x
Little Bolton 3 49.18x
Manchester 3 14.06x
Pendleton In Salford 2 35.40x
Aldershot 1 36.36x
Bury 1 18.45x
Lerwick Gulberwick 1 158.73x
Liverpool 1 3.47x
Walmer 1 169.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Anne 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Cathrine 1
Delice 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellin 1
Kathleen 1

Top male names

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

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 Guinan households.

FAQ

Guinan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Guinan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 41 people were recorded with the Guinan surname. That placed it at #27,870 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Guinan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 324 in 2016. That gives Guinan a modern rank of #13,966.

What does the Guinan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name Ó Geanainn meaning "descendant of Geanann".

What does the Guinan map show?

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