NameCensus.

UK surname

Kirwan

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ciardhubháin, meaning "descendant of the black-haired one."

In the 1881 census there were 180 people recorded with the Kirwan surname, ranking it #13,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,931, ranked #3,311, up from #13,735 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, Edinburgh and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, Cornwall and Merthyr Tydfil.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kirwan is 2,068 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 972.8%.

1881 census count

180

Ranked #13,735

Modern count

1,931

2016, ranked #3,311

Peak year

2010

2,068 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kirwan had 180 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,735 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,931 in 2016, ranked #3,311.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 317 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Kirwan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kirwan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kirwan 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 77 #19,998
1861 historical 99 #21,294
1881 historical 180 #13,735
1891 historical 186 #15,740
1901 historical 257 #12,898
1911 historical 317 #11,011
1997 modern 1,811 #3,315
1998 modern 1,883 #3,324
1999 modern 1,926 #3,274
2000 modern 1,868 #3,346
2001 modern 1,847 #3,318
2002 modern 1,920 #3,281
2003 modern 1,840 #3,332
2004 modern 1,839 #3,335
2005 modern 1,840 #3,297
2006 modern 1,844 #3,303
2007 modern 1,853 #3,318
2008 modern 1,919 #3,246
2009 modern 1,999 #3,212
2010 modern 2,068 #3,185
2011 modern 2,050 #3,174
2012 modern 1,954 #3,244
2013 modern 1,985 #3,260
2014 modern 1,985 #3,280
2015 modern 1,941 #3,314
2016 modern 1,931 #3,311

Geography

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Where Kirwans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Toxteth Park, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Liverpool, Cornwall, Merthyr Tydfil, North Lincolnshire and Cheltenham. 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 Toxteth Park Lancashire
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Liverpool 059 Liverpool
2 Cornwall 031 Cornwall
3 Merthyr Tydfil 006 Merthyr Tydfil
4 North Lincolnshire 023 North Lincolnshire
5 Cheltenham 009 Cheltenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kirwan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kirwan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kirwan, 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 Kirwan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Kirwan 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Kirwan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kirwan 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

Kirwan 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 Kirwan 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
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Kirwan

The surname Kirwan is of Irish origin, tracing its roots back to the early medieval period in Ireland. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Ciardhubháin, meaning "descendant of Ciardhubhán," which was itself derived from the personal name Ciardhubhán, composed of the elements "ciar" meaning "black" and "dubhán" meaning "little dark one."

The Kirwan family was part of the Gaelic aristocracy and held lands in County Galway, particularly around the area of Loughrea. They were among the principal families of the Connacht region and played a significant role in the political and military affairs of the province.

One of the earliest documented references to the name 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 a notable member of the family, Muircheartach Ó Ciardhubháin, who was killed in a battle against the English in 1311.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Kirwans were involved in various conflicts and rebellions against English rule in Ireland. One prominent figure was John Kirwan (c. 1565-1627), who served as a captain in the Irish Confederate Wars and was later executed for his role in the uprising.

Another notable member of the family was Patrick Kirwan (1662-1741), a Jacobite soldier and landowner in County Galway. He was heavily involved in the Jacobite risings in support of the deposed Catholic King James II and his descendants.

In the 18th century, the Kirwan name gained recognition through the accomplishments of Richard Kirwan (1733-1812), a renowned chemist and mineralogist. He made significant contributions to the study of mineralogy and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society.

The Kirwan surname has also been associated with several distinguished figures in the Catholic Church. One example is Bishop Walter Kirwan (1811-1888), who served as the Bishop of Galway from 1857 until his death.

While the Kirwan family originated in County Galway, over time the name spread to other parts of Ireland and beyond. It can be found in various spellings, such as Kerwan, Kerivan, and Kirvin, reflecting local variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kirwan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kirwan 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 94 Kirwans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.51x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 94 4.51x
Yorkshire 13 0.75x
Hampshire 10 2.78x
Midlothian 10 4.25x
Middlesex 8 0.46x
Shropshire 8 5.27x
Durham 6 1.15x
Sussex 6 2.03x
Somerset 4 1.42x
Warwickshire 4 0.90x
Glamorgan 3 0.98x
Gloucestershire 3 0.87x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 11.80x
Cheshire 2 0.52x
Lanarkshire 2 0.35x
Berkshire 1 0.76x
Essex 1 0.29x
Northamptonshire 1 0.61x
Northumberland 1 0.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 33 Kirwans recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.08x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 33 26.08x
Bootle Cum Linacre 14 84.64x
Manchester 14 14.94x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 9 9.51x
Everton 9 13.55x
Wellington 8 93.79x
Kirkdale 7 19.97x
Ashton Under Lyne 6 13.18x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 6 26.53x
Holdenhurst 6 63.56x
Mile End Old Town London 5 13.38x
Bowling 4 23.22x
Brighton 4 6.70x
Middlesbrough 4 17.65x
Bathwick 3 95.85x
Chadderton 3 29.44x
Edgbaston 3 21.85x
Kelton 3 143.54x
Blackburn 2 3.61x
Cheltenham 2 7.53x
Farnborough 2 52.91x
Hammersmith London 2 4.62x
Portsea 2 2.84x
Rusholme 2 35.97x
Sculcoates 2 7.25x
Swansea Town 2 7.98x
Wortley In Bramley 2 14.51x
Barony 1 0.70x
Bath St Peter St Paul 1 80.00x
Birkenhead 1 3.24x
Cheadle 1 13.51x
Clifton 1 5.74x
Eastdean 1 588.24x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 1 17.99x
Great Bardfield 1 175.44x
Habergham Eaves 1 5.25x
Hove 1 7.70x
Leamington Priors 1 9.18x
Lesmahagow 1 16.64x
Oldham 1 1.49x
Preston 1 1.79x
Sancton Houghton 1 454.55x
Swansea 1 294.12x
Weedon Beck 1 84.75x
West Derby 1 1.64x
Westgate 1 6.18x
Westminster St James 1 5.54x
Winkfield 1 45.66x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 11
Thomas 7
William 7
James 6
Patrick 5
Michael 4
Edward 3
George 3
Daniel 2
David 2
Gerald 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Bertram 1
Charles 1
Dennis 1
Francis 1
Jerimiah 1
Joel 1
Leonard 1
Lionel 1
Michl. 1
Morton 1
Pat. 1
Peter 1
Ralph 1
Robert 1
Robt.M. 1

FAQ

Kirwan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kirwan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 180 people were recorded with the Kirwan surname. That placed it at #13,735 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kirwan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,931 in 2016. That gives Kirwan a modern rank of #3,311.

What does the Kirwan surname mean?

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ciardhubháin, meaning "descendant of the black-haired one."

What does the Kirwan map show?

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