NameCensus.

UK surname

Keir

A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "fort" or "fortified camp".

In the 1881 census there were 1,499 people recorded with the Keir surname, ranking it #2,794 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,762, ranked #3,563, down from #2,794 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cromar and Kildrummy, Broughty Ferry West and Vicarland and Cairns.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Keir is 1,766 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.5%.

1881 census count

1,499

Ranked #2,794

Modern count

1,762

2016, ranked #3,563

Peak year

2014

1,766 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Keir had 1,499 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,794 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,762 in 2016, ranked #3,563.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,688 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Keir surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Keir surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Keir 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 999 #2,800
1861 historical 1,095 #2,567
1881 historical 1,499 #2,794
1891 historical 1,584 #2,803
1901 historical 1,688 #3,057
1911 historical 438 #8,684
1997 modern 1,699 #3,511
1998 modern 1,755 #3,540
1999 modern 1,727 #3,610
2000 modern 1,715 #3,614
2001 modern 1,653 #3,658
2002 modern 1,696 #3,658
2003 modern 1,691 #3,595
2004 modern 1,699 #3,583
2005 modern 1,675 #3,588
2006 modern 1,693 #3,559
2007 modern 1,729 #3,524
2008 modern 1,706 #3,587
2009 modern 1,718 #3,636
2010 modern 1,757 #3,639
2011 modern 1,754 #3,601
2012 modern 1,709 #3,629
2013 modern 1,745 #3,619
2014 modern 1,766 #3,594
2015 modern 1,765 #3,574
2016 modern 1,762 #3,563

Geography

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Where Keirs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Aberfoyle and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cromar and Kildrummy, Broughty Ferry West, Vicarland and Cairns, Muthill, Greenloaning and Gleneagles and Arran. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Aberfoyle Perth
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cromar and Kildrummy Aberdeenshire
2 Broughty Ferry West Dundee City
3 Vicarland and Cairns South Lanarkshire
4 Muthill, Greenloaning and Gleneagles Perth and Kinross
5 Arran North Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Keir

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Keir

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Keir surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Keir household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Keir 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

Keir 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

Keir falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Keir

The surname Keir originated in Scotland, with the earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "ciar," meaning "dusky" or "dark brown," which may have referred to an individual's physical appearance or complexion. Alternatively, some sources suggest that the name could be a topographic name referring to a person who lived near a dark or dusky area, such as a wooded or shaded region.

The name Keir has been associated with various locations in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Perthshire and Kinross-shire. It has been recorded in various spellings throughout history, including Kier, Keir, Kiere, and Kier. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a person named William de Kere is listed among the Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

In the 14th century, the Keir family established themselves as landed gentry in the parish of Lecropt, near Stirling. The family's ancestral seat was Keir House, a historic manor house that dates back to the 16th century. Notable figures from this lineage include Sir John Keir (1672-1728), a Scottish judge and Member of Parliament, and Sir William Keir (1755-1834), a prominent Scottish industrialist and philanthropist.

Another notable individual with the surname Keir was James Keir (1735-1820), a Scottish chemist and industrialist who played a significant role in the early development of the chemical industry in Britain. He invented several processes for the production of alkali and was a pioneer in the use of chemical processes in manufacturing.

In the literary realm, James Keir Hardie (1856-1915) was a Scottish author and politician who founded the Labour Party in Britain. He was a prominent figure in the socialist and trade union movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Among other notable individuals with the surname Keir, there was John Keir (1905-1991), a Scottish architect and artist who designed several notable buildings in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Additionally, Pamela Keir (1915-1980) was a British actress and dancer who appeared in numerous films and stage productions throughout the mid-20th century.

While the surname Keir is most commonly associated with Scotland, it has also been found in various parts of the world, likely due to migration patterns and the spread of Scottish families over time. However, its origins and historical significance can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic roots of Scotland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Keir families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Keir 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 249 Keirs recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.27x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 249 5.27x
Perthshire 219 33.41x
Angus 192 14.19x
Fife 157 18.16x
Midlothian 86 4.40x
Stirlingshire 70 13.00x
Dunbartonshire 66 16.82x
Middlesex 47 0.32x
Banffshire 39 12.87x
Renfrewshire 39 3.45x
Lancashire 38 0.22x
Aberdeenshire 31 2.29x
Kent 27 0.54x
Morayshire 27 11.90x
Clackmannanshire 26 21.56x
Ayrshire 21 1.92x
Surrey 18 0.25x
Yorkshire 18 0.12x
Cumberland 17 1.35x
Northumberland 15 0.69x
Devon 14 0.46x
Essex 10 0.35x
Kinross-shire 10 27.09x
East Lothian 9 4.65x
Dumfriesshire 8 2.48x
Glamorgan 6 0.24x
Durham 5 0.12x
Kincardineshire 5 2.81x
Buteshire 4 4.52x
Royal Navy 4 2.30x
Argyllshire 3 0.74x
Nairnshire 3 6.73x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.23x
Ross-shire 2 0.50x
West Lothian 2 0.91x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.11x
Hampshire 1 0.03x
Herefordshire 1 0.17x
Staffordshire 1 0.02x
Suffolk 1 0.06x
Sussex 1 0.04x
Wiltshire 1 0.08x
Worcestershire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dunfermline in Fife leads with 101 Keirs recorded in 1881 and an index of 75.98x.

Place Total Index
Dunfermline 101 75.98x
Barony 65 5.44x
Govan 59 5.05x
Dundee 57 11.29x
Liff Benvie 53 25.81x
Glasgow 44 5.25x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 36 4.57x
Aberfoyle 26 1106.38x
Brechin 25 47.02x
Cumbernauld 25 116.28x
Montrose 23 28.05x
Rattray 22 144.17x
Bellie 20 195.12x
New Monkland 20 14.33x
Port Of Monteith 19 322.58x
Islington London 17 1.20x
Blair Athole 16 183.28x
Caputh 15 145.49x
Old Monkland 15 8.00x
Haslingden 14 19.51x
Auchtergaven 13 118.29x
Callander 13 120.26x
Kippen 13 179.31x
Shotts 13 23.00x
Tillicoultry 13 48.45x
Drymen 12 166.21x
Lambeth 12 0.94x
New Kilpatrick 12 32.15x
Saline 12 251.05x
Abbey 11 6.37x
Eastwood 11 15.78x
Falkirk 11 8.72x
Plumstead 11 6.62x
Preston Quarter 11 31.22x
Turriff 11 50.39x
Beath 10 36.60x
Cullen 10 89.05x
Dysart 10 17.18x
Old Kilpatrick 10 21.57x
Tiverton 10 19.10x
West Ham 10 1.57x
Cambuslang 9 18.90x
Dunbar 9 33.19x
Fossoway 9 141.96x
Gillingham 9 8.76x
Monifieth 9 18.83x
South Leith 9 4.09x
Alloa 8 13.68x
Arbroath 8 17.85x
Arrochar 8 310.08x
Cardross 8 16.98x
Culross 8 141.09x
Edinburgh St Marys 8 21.04x
Grange 8 90.19x
Longforgan 8 86.30x
Riccarton Hurlford 8 41.73x
Stirling 8 11.78x
Strathdon 8 121.77x
Tulliallan 8 72.01x
Alva 7 27.25x
Dalziel 7 13.78x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 7 15.13x
Ince In Makerfield 7 8.68x
Inverkeithing 7 53.72x
Killearn 7 123.67x
Kilmadock 7 46.45x
Kinnoull 7 40.63x
Port Glasgow 7 12.79x
Seaton Delaval 7 36.69x
St Marylebone London 7 0.90x
Abernethy 6 70.09x
Arlecdon 6 17.94x
Auckinleck 6 17.74x
Byker 6 5.59x
Cadder 6 17.20x
Kensington London 6 0.74x
Kettins 6 132.45x
Kilbarchan 6 17.45x
Llandaff 6 7.09x
Fearn 5 316.46x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Keir surname: questions and answers

How common was the Keir surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,499 people were recorded with the Keir surname. That placed it at #2,794 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Keir surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,762 in 2016. That gives Keir a modern rank of #3,563.

What does the Keir surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "fort" or "fortified camp".

What does the Keir map show?

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