UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "green river bank" or "green water meadow".
In the 1881 census there were 58 people recorded with the Irven surname, ranking it #25,428 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 67, ranked #33,884, down from #25,428 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Workington (Workington), Clossocks, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Irven is 105 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.5%.
1881 census count
58
Ranked #25,428
Modern count
67
2016, ranked #33,884
Peak year
1891
105 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Irven surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Irven surname density by area, 1891 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 | 94 | #17,837 |
| 1861 | historical | 97 | #21,503 |
| 1881 | historical | 58 | #25,428 |
| 1891 | historical | 105 | #23,241 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 72 | #25,642 |
| 1997 | modern | 80 | #29,554 |
| 1998 | modern | 77 | #30,289 |
| 1999 | modern | 83 | #29,823 |
| 2000 | modern | 74 | #30,785 |
| 2001 | modern | 76 | #30,366 |
| 2002 | modern | 67 | #31,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 56 | #32,797 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 60 | #32,917 |
| 2006 | modern | 60 | #33,235 |
| 2007 | modern | 62 | #33,346 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 73 | #33,249 |
| 2011 | modern | 71 | #33,392 |
| 2012 | modern | 67 | #33,840 |
| 2013 | modern | 71 | #33,693 |
| 2014 | modern | 70 | #33,782 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 67 | #33,884 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Workington (Workington), Clossocks, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Riccarton and Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh. 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 | Workington (Workington), Clossocks | Cumberland |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | Riccarton | Ayr |
| 5 | Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Irven 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 Irven, 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 Irven surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Irven 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, Irven 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 Irven is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Irven, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Irven is of Scottish origin, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the parish of Irving, located in Dumfriesshire. The name is derived from the old Gaelic words "ìr" meaning green, and "innis" meaning island or meadow, essentially translating to "green island" or "green meadow."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the ancient Scottish manuscript known as the Ragman Rolls, which dates back to 1296. This document lists several individuals bearing the name Irwin or Irvine, suggesting that these were early spellings of the surname.
The name Irven has undergone various spelling variations throughout history, including Irwin, Irvine, Ervin, and Erwin. These variations can be attributed to the differences in pronunciation and the influence of regional dialects across Scotland and other parts of the British Isles.
One notable historical figure bearing the surname Irven was William Irven (1606-1674), a Scottish minister who served as the Principal of the University of Glasgow from 1650 to 1654. Another prominent individual was Christopher Irven (1717-1786), a Scottish merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the development of the city of Glasgow.
In the 17th century, the Irven family established themselves in the Scottish Borders region, particularly in the areas of Dumfriesshire and Roxburghshire. One member of this family, Robert Irven (1645-1718), was a notable landowner and local magistrate in the town of Jedburgh.
The Irvens also had a presence in the Scottish Lowlands, with several members holding positions of importance in the church and local government. John Irven (1730-1804), a minister in the Church of Scotland, served as the Moderator of the General Assembly in 1796.
Another notable figure was General Sir Alexander Irven (1786-1861), a British Army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and later became the Governor of the Cape Colony in South Africa from 1847 to 1852.
While the Irven surname has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and migration. Over time, the name has become associated with various professions, from clergy and landowners to merchants and military personnel, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who have carried this surname throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Irven 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. Cumberland leads with 12 Irvens recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.07x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland | 12 | 25.07x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 1.82x |
| Cheshire | 10 | 8.15x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.72x |
| Denbighshire | 3 | 14.29x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 1.67x |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 3.88x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.05x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.36x |
| Angus | 1 | 1.94x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 6.69x |
| East Lothian | 1 | 13.59x |
| Morayshire | 1 | 11.57x |
| Orkney | 1 | 16.34x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 2.32x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.37x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Distington in Cumberland leads with 11 Irvens recorded in 1881 and an index of 4400.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Distington | 11 | 4400.00x |
| Birkenhead | 6 | 61.35x |
| Liverpool | 6 | 14.97x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 5 | 63.61x |
| Noctorum | 4 | 20000.00x |
| Gresford Gwersyllt | 3 | 461.54x |
| St Martin In Fields | 3 | 90.09x |
| Barony | 1 | 2.20x |
| Bonhill | 1 | 41.67x |
| Bothwell | 1 | 20.49x |
| Boxley | 1 | 344.83x |
| Cromdale | 1 | 144.93x |
| Dunbar | 1 | 97.09x |
| Dundee | 1 | 5.20x |
| Eastwood | 1 | 37.74x |
| Firth Stenness | 1 | 384.62x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 3.13x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 7.55x |
| Keithhall | 1 | 588.24x |
| Leeds | 1 | 3.21x |
| Maidstone | 1 | 17.70x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 8.45x |
| New Deer | 1 | 107.53x |
| Putney | 1 | 39.53x |
| Salford | 1 | 5.15x |
| Whitehaven | 1 | 39.22x |
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 Irven households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| No Occupation | 3 |
| Ag Lab Widow | 1 |
| Agricultural Labourer | 1 |
| American Produce Merchant | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Coalminer | 1 |
| Coalminers Wife | 1 |
| Cotton Weaver | 1 |
| Dairymaid Domestic | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Serv Dom S | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourers Wife | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Laundress(Not Dom) | 1 |
| Pit Sinker (Coal) | 1 |
| Retired Shipwright | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 58 people were recorded with the Irven surname. That placed it at #25,428 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 67 in 2016. That gives Irven a modern rank of #33,884.
A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "green river bank" or "green water meadow".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Irven 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.