NameCensus.

UK surname

Hanlan

A surname derived from a former location, possibly of Irish or Scottish origin.

In the 1881 census there were 297 people recorded with the Hanlan surname, ranking it #9,792 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 128, ranked #26,401, down from #9,792 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Walsingham, Bothwell and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Strathaven South and High Blantyre.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hanlan is 297 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 56.9%.

1881 census count

297

Ranked #9,792

Modern count

128

2016, ranked #26,401

Peak year

1881

297 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hanlan had 297 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,792 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016, ranked #26,401.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 297 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Hanlan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hanlan surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hanlan 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 105 #16,618
1861 historical 173 #13,553
1881 historical 297 #9,792
1891 historical 175 #16,467
1901 historical 154 #17,775
1911 historical 86 #24,243
1997 modern 123 #23,792
1998 modern 125 #24,198
1999 modern 133 #23,487
2000 modern 140 #22,752
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 148 #22,087
2003 modern 139 #22,734
2004 modern 141 #22,689
2005 modern 140 #22,774
2006 modern 139 #23,044
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 143 #23,686
2010 modern 137 #24,907
2011 modern 136 #24,819
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 133 #25,655
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 126 #26,654
2016 modern 128 #26,401

Geography

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Where Hanlans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Walsingham, Bothwell, Govan Combination, London parishes and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Strathaven South, High Blantyre, South Norfolk and Stonehouse. 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 Walsingham Durham
2 Bothwell Lanark
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 London parishes London 3
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 021 Cornwall
2 Strathaven South South Lanarkshire
3 High Blantyre South Lanarkshire
4 South Norfolk 010 South Norfolk
5 Stonehouse South Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hanlan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hanlan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hanlan, 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 Hanlan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Hanlan 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hanlan 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.

Read profile summary

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

Hanlan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Hanlan

The surname HANLAN originates from Ireland, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to be a variant of the Irish Gaelic name "Ó hAnluain," which translates to "descendant of Anluan," an ancient personal name derived from the words "an" meaning "great" and "luan" meaning "warrior."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the HANLAN name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. These annals mention a renowned Irish chieftain named Anluan Ó Maoilchonaire, who lived in the 11th century and was a member of the influential Uí Briúin dynasty.

In the 17th century, the HANLAN surname was particularly prevalent in County Roscommon, located in the province of Connacht, Ireland. Historical records from this period show several notable individuals bearing the HANLAN name, including Seán HANLAN (c. 1610-1675), a prominent landowner and member of the Irish Catholic Confederation during the Irish Confederate Wars.

As the Irish diaspora spread across the globe, the HANLAN surname traveled with them. One significant figure was John HANLAN (1786-1868), an Irish-born settler in Canada who established a successful trading post in what is now Ontario. His son, Edward HANLAN (1855-1908), became a world-renowned sculler (rower) and won numerous championships, including the prestigious Diamond Sculls at the Henley Royal Regatta in 1876.

Another notable bearer of the HANLAN name was Patrick HANLAN (1841-1919), an Irish-American politician who served as a member of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate in the late 19th century. He was instrumental in shaping labor laws and advocating for workers' rights during the industrial era.

In the literary world, the HANLAN surname is represented by Renée HANLAN (1933-2004), an acclaimed Canadian author and playwright. Her works, including the play "The Peacekeeper," explored themes of family, identity, and cultural conflicts, reflecting her Irish-Canadian heritage.

While the HANLAN name may have evolved from its ancient Irish roots, it has left an indelible mark across various fields, from politics and sports to literature, carrying the legacy of its warrior origins through the accomplishments of its bearers throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hanlan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hanlan 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. Lanarkshire leads with 61 Hanlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.58x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 61 6.58x
Lancashire 48 1.41x
Durham 39 4.57x
Renfrewshire 30 13.50x
Yorkshire 30 1.06x
Ayrshire 12 5.59x
Middlesex 12 0.42x
Fife 10 5.89x
Selkirkshire 10 38.54x
Midlothian 9 2.34x
Surrey 5 0.36x
Angus 4 1.51x
Essex 4 0.71x
Cheshire 3 0.47x
Devon 3 0.50x
Argyllshire 2 2.51x
Cumberland 2 0.81x
Northumberland 2 0.47x
Sussex 2 0.41x
Derbyshire 1 0.22x
Hampshire 1 0.17x
Kent 1 0.10x
Monmouthshire 1 0.48x
Ross-shire 1 1.27x
Wigtownshire 1 2.63x

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 15 Hanlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.11x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 15 9.11x
Govan 14 6.10x
Abbey 9 26.54x
Bothwell 9 35.79x
Linthorpe 9 53.07x
Barony 8 3.41x
Ferry Port On Craig 8 286.74x
Framwellgate 8 158.42x
Gateshead 8 12.52x
Kilmarnock 8 31.31x
Melrose 8 122.51x
Hamilton 7 27.06x
Paisley Middle Church 7 54.10x
Renfrew 7 95.37x
Walton On Hill 7 37.96x
Conside Knitsley 6 90.50x
Holy Trinity 6 8.78x
Iveston 6 152.67x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 5 18.88x
Edinburgh New North 5 149.70x
Preston 5 5.49x
Tonge 5 70.03x
Ashton Under Lyne 4 5.38x
Bishopwearmouth 4 5.46x
Cambusnethan 4 19.42x
Dundee 4 4.03x
Inverkip 4 76.34x
St Pancras London 4 1.73x
West Derby 4 4.02x
West Ham 4 3.20x
Barrow In Furness 3 6.48x
Blantyre 3 31.06x
Bury 3 7.72x
Liscard 3 26.29x
Manchester 3 1.96x
Middlesbrough 3 8.11x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 5.20x
Standish With Langtree 3 71.60x
Westminster St John 3 8.59x
Whitwood 3 74.26x
Birtley 2 57.47x
Brighton 2 2.05x
Brixham 2 28.90x
Dunoon 2 121.95x
Eston 2 32.31x
Galashiels 2 20.86x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 2 5.41x
Limehouse London 2 6.35x
Little Bolton 2 4.57x
Liverpool 2 0.97x
Livesey 2 33.50x
Riccarton Hurlford 2 53.19x
South Leith 2 4.63x
Workington 2 14.14x
Beath 1 18.66x
Bow London 1 2.74x
Chelsea London 1 1.16x
Cowpen 1 10.17x
Dalmellington 1 15.85x
Dingwall 1 45.05x
Heworth 1 5.95x
Lambeth 1 0.40x
Leeds 1 0.62x
Lochwinnoch 1 30.21x
Lofthouse 1 23.58x
Mearns 1 25.71x
North Leith 1 5.62x
Old Cumnock 1 20.92x
Oldham 1 0.91x
Paisley Low Church 1 14.20x
Penninghame 1 25.77x
Shettleston 1 12.05x
Southampton All Sts 1 9.91x
Spitalfields London 1 4.64x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.39x
Swanscombe 1 22.73x
Wardleworth 1 5.14x
Westoe 1 2.07x
Whittington 1 16.10x
Widnes 1 4.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Margaret 8
Elizabeth 6
Ann 5
Ellen 4
Bridget 3
Hannah 3
Alice 2
Cathrine 2
Frances 2
Martha 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Annie 1
Caroline 1
Cecilia 1
Edith 1
Harriett 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Margt 1
Margt.A. 1
Maria 1
Mildred 1
Rebecca 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Hanlan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hanlan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 297 people were recorded with the Hanlan surname. That placed it at #9,792 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hanlan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016. That gives Hanlan a modern rank of #26,401.

What does the Hanlan surname mean?

A surname derived from a former location, possibly of Irish or Scottish origin.

What does the Hanlan map show?

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