NameCensus.

UK surname

Horkan

A Gaelic surname derived from the Irish word "Orcán" meaning a small green object or person.

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Horkan surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, up from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Leeds and Wigan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Horkan is 145 in 2004. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 869.2%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2004

145 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Horkan had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 34 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Horkan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Horkan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Horkan 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 10 #32,589
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 34 #30,281
1911 historical 31 #29,952
1997 modern 136 #22,398
1998 modern 139 #22,720
1999 modern 137 #23,083
2000 modern 139 #22,855
2001 modern 139 #22,541
2002 modern 140 #22,876
2003 modern 138 #22,823
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 144 #22,367
2006 modern 132 #23,834
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 127 #25,020
2009 modern 127 #25,564
2010 modern 127 #26,176
2011 modern 121 #26,789
2012 modern 125 #26,298
2013 modern 125 #26,695
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 125 #26,808
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Horkans 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 Enfield, Leeds, Wigan, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Wandsworth. 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 Enfield 029 Enfield
2 Leeds 022 Leeds
3 Wigan 009 Wigan
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 018 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Wandsworth 004 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Horkan

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Horkan

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Horkan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Horkan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Horkan is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Horkan is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Horkan falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Horkan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Horkan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Horkan

The surname Horkan has its origins in Ireland, specifically in the region of County Galway. It is believed to have emerged around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "orcán," which means "little pig" or "piglet."

This surname was likely a descriptive nickname originally given to someone who was associated with pigs or pig farming. In medieval times, these types of nicknames were commonly adopted as hereditary surnames.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Horkan surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals reference a Tomás Ó hOrcáin, who was a notable figure in County Galway in the early 15th century.

The Horkan name has also been linked to various place names in County Galway, such as the townland of Horkan Hill and the civil parish of Killererin, where the surname was particularly prevalent.

Notable individuals with the Horkan surname throughout history include:

1. William Horkan (1735-1810), an Irish Catholic priest and professor of philosophy at the University of Paris. 2. John Horkan (1843-1917), a prominent Irish businessman and philanthropist in Galway City. 3. Mary Horkan (1868-1954), an Irish scholar and historian who published works on the folklore and traditions of County Galway. 4. Patrick Horkan (1890-1968), an Irish nationalist and member of the First Dáil, the revolutionary parliament of the Irish Republic. 5. Seán Horkan (1920-1988), an Irish poet and writer known for his works depicting rural life in County Galway.

While the Horkan surname has its roots in County Galway, it has since spread to other parts of Ireland and beyond, carried by various branches of the family over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Horkan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Horkan 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 10 Horkans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.65x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 10 6.65x
Yorkshire 2 1.59x
Durham 1 2.65x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newchurch in Lancashire leads with 7 Horkans recorded in 1881 and an index of 569.11x.

Place Total Index
Newchurch 7 569.11x
Halifax 2 108.70x
Aspull 1 285.71x
Croxteth Park 1 0.00x
Darlington 1 68.49x
Pennington In Leigh 1 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Betsy 1
Elizabeth 1
Katharine 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 2
Henry 2
Anthony 1
James 1
John 1
Michal 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Horkan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Horkan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Horkan surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Horkan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Horkan a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Horkan surname mean?

A Gaelic surname derived from the Irish word "Orcán" meaning a small green object or person.

What does the Horkan map show?

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