NameCensus.

UK surname

Kin

An English surname derived from the Middle English "kin", meaning kindred or family.

In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Kin surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 134, ranked #25,636, up from #30,077 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wycombe, Havering and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kin is 134 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 436.0%.

1881 census count

25

Ranked #30,077

Modern count

134

2016, ranked #25,636

Peak year

2016

134 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kin had 25 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,077 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016, ranked #25,636.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 42 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kin 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 42 #25,706
1881 historical 25 #30,077
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 33 #30,384
1997 modern 69 #30,712
1998 modern 49 #33,000
1999 modern 45 #33,511
2000 modern 33 #34,607
2001 modern 30 #34,753
2002 modern 30 #34,950
2003 modern 30 #35,046
2004 modern 30 #35,186
2005 modern 30 #35,347
2006 modern 37 #35,074
2007 modern 48 #34,488
2008 modern 56 #34,084
2009 modern 76 #32,635
2010 modern 89 #31,745
2011 modern 88 #31,801
2012 modern 82 #32,701
2013 modern 100 #30,773
2014 modern 107 #29,827
2015 modern 118 #27,833
2016 modern 134 #25,636

Geography

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Where Kins 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 Wycombe, Havering, Wandsworth, Southampton and Bromley. 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 Wycombe 016 Wycombe
2 Havering 015 Havering
3 Wandsworth 020 Wandsworth
4 Southampton 001 Southampton
5 Bromley 010 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kin

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kin, 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 Kin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kin 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kin 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

Kin is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kin 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 Kin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Kin

The surname "Kin" originates from Scotland, where it emerged in the early 13th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "cion," meaning "love" or "affection." The name is believed to have originated in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the regions of Perthshire and Inverness-shire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Kin" can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, where a reference is made to a "Johannes Kyn" in the year 1290. This document provides valuable insight into the name's early usage and its association with Scotland.

The name "Kin" has also been linked to various place names in Scotland, such as Kincardine and Kinross. These place names likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time. In some historical records, the name appears as "Kyn" or "Kynne," reflecting the various spellings used in earlier times.

Notables bearing the surname "Kin" throughout history include:

1. Robert Kin (c. 1495 - 1555), a Scottish clergyman and theologian who played a crucial role in the Scottish Reformation. 2. James Kin (1610 - 1688), a Scottish merchant and politician who served as a member of the Scottish Parliament. 3. Mary Kin (1745 - 1820), a Scottish poet and writer renowned for her works on Scottish folklore and traditions. 4. William Kin (1790 - 1867), a Scottish inventor and engineer known for his contributions to the development of early steam engines. 5. John Kin (1835 - 1912), a Scottish artist and painter renowned for his landscapes depicting the Scottish Highlands.

While the name "Kin" has deep roots in Scotland, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and has undergone various spelling variations over time. However, its Scottish origins and connection to the Gaelic word "cion" remain a significant part of its historical legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kin 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. Worcestershire leads with 10 Kins recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.81x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 10 23.81x
Lanarkshire 8 7.69x
Midlothian 5 11.60x
Middlesex 4 1.24x
Lancashire 2 0.52x
Kent 1 0.91x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 21.46x
Northumberland 1 2.09x
Renfrewshire 1 4.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oldbury in Worcestershire leads with 10 Kins recorded in 1881 and an index of 483.09x.

Place Total Index
Oldbury 10 483.09x
Barony 6 22.79x
Dalkeith 5 588.24x
St Pancras London 3 11.59x
Barrowford Booth 1 238.10x
Bothwell 1 35.46x
Glasgow 1 5.41x
Kirkdale 1 15.58x
Lochwinnoch 1 270.27x
Milton In Gravesend 1 60.61x
Paddington London 1 8.45x
Parton 1 1250.00x
Thockrington 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Susan 2
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Hannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Harry 1
James 1
Tom 1
William 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 Kin households.

FAQ

Kin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Kin surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 134 in 2016. That gives Kin a modern rank of #25,636.

What does the Kin surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English "kin", meaning kindred or family.

What does the Kin map show?

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