UK surname
A locational surname derived from the German village name Helin.
In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Helin surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 26, ranked #36,254, down from #30,738 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and St Leonard Bromley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Helin is 104 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.0%.
1881 census count
20
Ranked #30,738
Modern count
26
2016, ranked #36,254
Peak year
1861
104 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Helin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Helin surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 20 | #30,738 |
| 1891 | historical | 70 | #28,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 47 | #28,929 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 33 | #34,532 |
| 1999 | modern | 31 | #34,821 |
| 2000 | modern | 31 | #34,798 |
| 2001 | modern | 29 | #34,839 |
| 2002 | modern | 31 | #34,866 |
| 2003 | modern | 32 | #34,862 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 32 | #35,191 |
| 2006 | modern | 31 | #35,467 |
| 2007 | modern | 31 | #35,592 |
| 2008 | modern | 32 | #35,610 |
| 2009 | modern | 25 | #36,191 |
| 2010 | modern | 24 | #36,341 |
| 2011 | modern | 23 | #36,369 |
| 2012 | modern | 25 | #36,227 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 25 | #36,314 |
| 2015 | modern | 27 | #36,173 |
| 2016 | modern | 26 | #36,254 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, St Leonard Bromley, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Dalton-in-Furness. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | St Leonard Bromley | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Harrow-on-the-Hill | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | Dalton-in-Furness | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Helin surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Helin, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Helin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Helin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Helin is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Helin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Helin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Helin originated in Sweden during the 17th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "hel," meaning "luck" or "good fortune." The name may have been given to someone who was considered lucky or fortunate.
In the early days, the name was often spelled as "Helin" or "Hellin." It was common for surnames to be derived from personal characteristics or occupations during this time period. The name Helin likely emerged as a descriptive surname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Helin can be found in the Swedish parish records of the late 17th century. In 1685, a man named Lars Helin was mentioned in the records of Östergötland County, located in southern Sweden.
The name Helin also appeared in the Swedish Census records of the 18th century. For example, in 1760, a family by the name of Helin was recorded in the parish of Västra Vingåker, located in the province of Södermanland.
Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname Helin. One of the earliest known was Johan Helin (1688-1763), a Swedish clergyman and writer who served as a parish priest in Västergötland County.
Another prominent figure was Carl Helin (1795-1875), a Swedish politician and lawyer who served as the Mayor of Stockholm from 1845 to 1863. He played a significant role in the city's development during the mid-19th century.
In the field of science, Erik Helin (1834-1901) was a Swedish chemist and botanist who made notable contributions to the study of plant physiology and biochemistry.
In the arts, Gustaf Helin (1865-1921) was a Swedish painter and illustrator known for his landscapes and depictions of rural life in Sweden.
More recently, Arne Helin (1917-2005) was a Swedish businessman and philanthropist who founded the Arne Helin Charitable Foundation, which supports various educational and cultural initiatives in Sweden.
While the surname Helin is most prevalent in Sweden, it has also spread to other parts of the world, particularly through immigration. However, its origins can be traced back to the Swedish countryside of the 17th and 18th centuries, where it emerged as a descriptive surname reflecting the concept of luck or good fortune.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Helin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 11 Helins recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 5.64x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 2.07x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 1.30x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.50x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 3.45x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 5 Helins recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.17x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington London | 5 | 46.17x |
| Almondbury | 4 | 430.11x |
| Chelsea London | 4 | 68.14x |
| Preston | 2 | 32.31x |
| Westminster St James | 2 | 100.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 19.49x |
| Little Hoole | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Tynemouth | 1 | 64.52x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Helin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Helin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Helin surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 26 in 2016. That gives Helin a modern rank of #36,254.
A locational surname derived from the German village name Helin.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Helin bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.