NameCensus.

UK surname

Kerin

A surname derived from the Gaelic name 'Ciarán', meaning "little dark one".

In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Kerin surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 213, ranked #18,785, up from #29,646 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thurrock, Bradford and South Oxfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kerin is 228 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 660.7%.

1881 census count

28

Ranked #29,646

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

2009

228 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kerin had 28 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,646 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 49 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Kerin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kerin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kerin 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 31 #30,058
1881 historical 28 #29,646
1891 historical 43 #30,933
1901 historical 49 #28,696
1911 historical 43 #28,581
1997 modern 193 #18,035
1998 modern 207 #17,749
1999 modern 212 #17,611
2000 modern 215 #17,388
2001 modern 208 #17,513
2002 modern 211 #17,696
2003 modern 211 #17,513
2004 modern 208 #17,758
2005 modern 203 #17,961
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 215 #17,633
2008 modern 218 #17,638
2009 modern 228 #17,486
2010 modern 227 #17,895
2011 modern 215 #18,379
2012 modern 195 #19,540
2013 modern 207 #19,093
2014 modern 215 #18,764
2015 modern 212 #18,842
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

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Where Kerins 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 Thurrock, Bradford and South Oxfordshire. 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 Thurrock 018 Thurrock
2 Thurrock 017 Thurrock
3 Bradford 027 Bradford
4 Thurrock 015 Thurrock
5 South Oxfordshire 014 South Oxfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kerin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kerin

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Kerin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Kerin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kerin is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kerin 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

Kerin falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kerin 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 Kerin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kerin

The surname Kerin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Ciarín," which means "descendant of Ciarán." Ciarán was a popular Irish masculine given name derived from the old Irish word "ciar," meaning "dark" or "black." The name was initially most prominent in County Mayo, Ireland, where it first appeared in records during the 12th century.

One of the earliest documented references to the Kerin surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention several individuals with the surname Kerin, including Tomás Ó Ciarín, a notable scholar and clergyman who lived in the late 15th century.

In the 16th century, the surname Kerin was recorded in various forms, such as Kyrin, Kyran, and Kierin, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common at the time. The Kerin family was particularly associated with the parish of Ballyovey in County Mayo, where they held lands and positions of prominence.

One notable Kerin from this period was Dermot Kerin, born around 1550, who served as a member of the Irish Parliament and was involved in the Gaelic resistance against English colonization in the late 16th century.

As the centuries progressed, the Kerin surname spread throughout Ireland and beyond. In the 18th century, John Kerin (1702-1778) was a prominent Irish politician and landowner who served as a member of the Irish House of Commons. He was also a noted patron of the arts and supported the work of writers and artists in Dublin.

Another significant figure was Michael Kerin (1826-1904), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist. Born in County Mayo, he emigrated to the United States and became a successful merchant in New York City. He was known for his charitable contributions, particularly to educational and religious institutions in his native Ireland.

In more recent times, notable individuals with the Kerin surname include John Kerin (1932-2018), an Australian politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives and held various ministerial positions in the Australian government.

Throughout its history, the Kerin surname has maintained a strong connection to its Irish roots, particularly in County Mayo, where many families with this name have lived for generations. While the spelling and pronunciation may have evolved over time, the name continues to reflect the rich cultural heritage of Ireland and the enduring legacy of its ancient Gaelic origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kerin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kerin 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 12 Kerins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.71x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 12 3.71x
Kent 6 6.44x
Middlesex 6 2.20x
Devon 3 5.28x
Worcestershire 1 2.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walton Le Dale in Lancashire leads with 9 Kerins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1034.48x.

Place Total Index
Walton Le Dale 9 1034.48x
Deptford St Nicholas 5 675.68x
Stoke Damerel 3 75.38x
St Giles In Fields London 2 149.25x
Withington 2 192.31x
Bow London 1 28.82x
Feckenham 1 243.90x
Islington London 1 3.78x
Kirkdale 1 18.35x
Lewisham 1 20.16x
St Botolph Aldgate London 1 178.57x
St Pancras London 1 4.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Bridget 2
Ellen 2
Mary 2
Alice 1
Carol 1
Catherine 1
Elizabeth 1
Jane 1
Katherine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 3
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Charles 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Edwd.W. 1
James 1
John 1
Timothy 1

Top occupations

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 Kerin households.

FAQ

Kerin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kerin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Kerin surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kerin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Kerin a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Kerin surname mean?

A surname derived from the Gaelic name 'Ciarán', meaning "little dark one".

What does the Kerin map show?

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