NameCensus.

UK surname

Haig

A Scottish surname derived from the name of a village near Kelso, Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 1,183 people recorded with the Haig surname, ranking it #3,404 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,399, ranked #4,346, down from #3,404 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to North Bute and Rothesay, London parishes and Hawick and Wilton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Hampshire, Penicuik Southeast and Burntisland West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Haig is 1,442 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.3%.

1881 census count

1,183

Ranked #3,404

Modern count

1,399

2016, ranked #4,346

Peak year

1999

1,442 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Haig had 1,183 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,404 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,399 in 2016, ranked #4,346.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,301 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Haig surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Haig surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Haig 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 790 #3,376
1861 historical 779 #3,531
1881 historical 1,183 #3,404
1891 historical 1,192 #3,597
1901 historical 1,301 #3,834
1911 historical 449 #8,519
1997 modern 1,346 #4,273
1998 modern 1,409 #4,251
1999 modern 1,442 #4,209
2000 modern 1,426 #4,232
2001 modern 1,399 #4,221
2002 modern 1,416 #4,255
2003 modern 1,383 #4,264
2004 modern 1,387 #4,259
2005 modern 1,383 #4,229
2006 modern 1,381 #4,239
2007 modern 1,400 #4,233
2008 modern 1,413 #4,227
2009 modern 1,436 #4,249
2010 modern 1,441 #4,309
2011 modern 1,440 #4,276
2012 modern 1,405 #4,293
2013 modern 1,403 #4,363
2014 modern 1,428 #4,328
2015 modern 1,419 #4,312
2016 modern 1,399 #4,346

Geography

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Where Haigs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around North Bute and Rothesay, London parishes, Hawick and Wilton, Edinburgh and Greenock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Hampshire, Penicuik Southeast, Burntisland West, Kirkcaldy Newliston and Redcraigs and Dalkeith. 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 North Bute and Rothesay Bute
2 London parishes London 1
3 Hawick and Wilton Roxburgh
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Greenock Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Hampshire 006 East Hampshire
2 Penicuik Southeast Midlothian
3 Burntisland West Fife
4 Kirkcaldy Newliston and Redcraigs Fife
5 Dalkeith Midlothian

Forenames

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First names often paired with Haig

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Haig

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Haig surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Haig household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Haig 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

Haig 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

Haig falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Haig

The surname Haig has its origins in Scotland, and is believed to have emerged in the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Celtic word "haugh," meaning a meadow or low-lying area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Heyg" and "Hage" in these rolls.

The Haig surname is also associated with the place name Haig, a former estate located in the Scottish Borders region. This estate was once owned by the prominent Haig family, who were influential landowners and political figures in the area.

In the 16th century, the Haigs of Bemersyde were a notable branch of the family. Sir David Haig of Bemersyde (1535-1621) was a Scottish soldier and diplomat who served under King James VI of Scotland and later King James I of England.

Perhaps the most famous bearer of the Haig surname was Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig (1861-1928). He was a senior officer in the British Army and played a significant role as the commander of the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War.

Other notable individuals with the surname Haig include:

1. Alexander Haig (1924-2010), an American politician and former United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan.

2. David Haig (born 1957), a British actor known for his roles in films such as "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "The Thin Red Line."

3. Jane Haig (1923-1997), a British artist and sculptor who was known for her abstract works.

4. Robert Haig (1916-2002), a Scottish historian and author who wrote extensively about Scottish history and culture.

5. William Haig (1907-1999), a Canadian diplomat and former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations.

The Haig surname has been carried by individuals from various backgrounds, including military figures, politicians, artists, and scholars. Its Scottish origins and associations with historical estates and events have contributed to its enduring presence throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Haig families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Haig 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. Midlothian leads with 204 Haigs recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.26x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 204 13.26x
Lanarkshire 141 3.80x
Roxburghshire 101 48.56x
Fife 74 10.89x
Middlesex 73 0.64x
Berwickshire 60 43.15x
East Lothian 52 34.19x
Renfrewshire 44 4.95x
Cumberland 43 4.35x
Surrey 38 0.68x
Angus 30 2.82x
Durham 30 0.88x
Yorkshire 28 0.25x
Selkirkshire 27 25.99x
Northumberland 25 1.46x
Lancashire 22 0.16x
Berkshire 21 2.44x
Buteshire 19 27.31x
Cheshire 15 0.59x
West Lothian 15 8.68x
Kent 12 0.31x
Sussex 12 0.62x
Dunbartonshire 11 3.57x
Stirlingshire 9 2.13x
Ayrshire 7 0.81x
Devon 7 0.29x
Inverness-shire 7 2.04x
Peeblesshire 7 12.96x
Perthshire 7 1.36x
Clackmannanshire 6 6.33x
Kincardineshire 6 4.29x
Hampshire 5 0.21x
Lincolnshire 5 0.27x
Argyllshire 3 0.94x
Essex 2 0.09x
Suffolk 2 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.14x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.14x
Channel Islands 1 0.29x
Gloucestershire 1 0.04x
Morayshire 1 0.56x
Royal Navy 1 0.73x
Staffordshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 66 Haigs recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.67x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 66 10.67x
Govan 48 5.23x
Glasgow 36 5.46x
Jedburgh 34 166.83x
Hawick 26 55.87x
South Leith 25 14.44x
Barony 24 2.55x
East Greenock 20 23.80x
Kensington London 18 2.82x
Battersea 17 4.02x
Hammersmith London 16 5.66x
Rothesay 16 47.49x
Legerwood 15 684.93x
Bishopwearmouth 14 4.78x
Dalkeith 14 46.14x
Dysart 14 30.59x
Gladsmuir 14 206.49x
Bray 13 51.34x
Dundee 13 3.27x
Lasswade 13 36.96x
Galashiels 12 31.25x
Greenlaw 12 243.90x
Lambeth 12 1.20x
Dirleton 11 184.25x
Markinch 11 47.68x
Neilston 11 24.63x
Swinton 11 289.47x
Abbotshall 10 39.37x
Melrose 10 55.62x
Mid Calder 10 149.93x
Newcastle On Tyne St 10 11.29x
North Leith 10 14.05x
Abbey 9 6.63x
Barnsley 9 7.67x
Caldewgate 9 16.62x
Dunfermline 9 8.61x
Hulme 9 3.16x
Inveresk 9 21.61x
Lyme Handley 9 775.86x
Morebattle 9 226.13x
Rawmarsh 9 22.39x
Selkirk 9 30.76x
Shettleston 9 27.08x
Duddingston 8 25.92x
Dunbar 8 37.52x
Falkirk 8 8.07x
Irton With Santon 8 326.53x
Kinghorn 8 55.44x
Auckinleck 7 26.32x
Boldon 7 57.47x
Brighton 7 1.79x
Cambuslang 7 18.70x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 7 19.24x
Egremont 7 29.70x
Innerleithen 7 48.85x
Inverness 7 8.12x
Prestonpans 7 68.63x
St Giles In Fields London 7 12.43x
Tonbridge 7 4.95x
Tormoham 7 6.92x
Waverton 7 370.37x
Carluke 6 17.79x
Cleator 6 14.58x
Dollar 6 61.04x
Edinburgh New North 6 44.81x
Edinburgh Tolbooth 6 67.04x
Kirkliston 6 59.52x
Melrose 6 22.95x
Boness 5 20.97x
Carnwath 5 21.78x
Chirnside 5 83.89x
Corby 5 162.34x
Dumbarton 5 11.64x
Edrom 5 84.03x
Farnell 5 204.92x
Maryhill 5 6.88x
Muckhart 5 210.08x
Skelton In Guisbrough 5 16.24x
Tranent 5 24.33x
Wilton 5 21.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Margaret 9
Elizabeth 8
Jane 7
Sarah 7
Ann 6
Agnes 5
Ellen 5
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Emma 4
Isabella 4
Catherine 3
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Gertrude 3
Grace 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Janet 3
Martha 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Bertha 2
Clara 2
Ella 2
Emily 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Georgina 2
Helen 2
Louisa 2
Matilda 2
Violet 2
Agnis 1
Beatrice 1
Cecilia 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Euphemia 1
Eva 1
Harriett 1
Jaine 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
Kathleen 1
Lilian 1
Lilly 1
Voilet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
George 16
William 16
James 15
Thomas 15
Henry 7
Charles 6
Andrew 5
Arthur 5
Joseph 4
Alfred 3
Edward 3
Herbert 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Alexander 2
Archibald 2
Francis 2
Malcolm 2
Walter 2
Alexr. 1
C.R. 1
Claude 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Donald 1
Douglas 1
Dyson 1
Edric 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Fredk 1
G.A. 1
Gabriel 1
Harold 1
Hugh 1
I.B. 1
Infant 1
Jas. 1
Joel 1
Josiah 1
Kenneth 1
Luke 1
Morton 1
Neil 1
Peth 1
Roland 1
Sidney 1
Stuart 1
Thirp 1

FAQ

Haig surname: questions and answers

How common was the Haig surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,183 people were recorded with the Haig surname. That placed it at #3,404 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Haig surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,399 in 2016. That gives Haig a modern rank of #4,346.

What does the Haig surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the name of a village near Kelso, Scotland.

What does the Haig map show?

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