NameCensus.

UK surname

Kyle

An Irish toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "straight" or "narrow," possibly referring to a strait or channel.

In the 1881 census there were 1,671 people recorded with the Kyle surname, ranking it #2,568 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,730, ranked #1,822, up from #2,568 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hamilton, Hawick and Wilton and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newmains, Rhins North and Stranraer West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kyle is 3,730 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 123.2%.

1881 census count

1,671

Ranked #2,568

Modern count

3,730

2016, ranked #1,822

Peak year

2016

3,730 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kyle had 1,671 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,568 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,730 in 2016, ranked #1,822.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,093 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Kyle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kyle surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kyle 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 964 #2,889
1861 historical 1,147 #2,449
1881 historical 1,671 #2,568
1891 historical 1,809 #2,538
1901 historical 2,093 #2,561
1911 historical 878 #5,072
1997 modern 3,218 #2,001
1998 modern 3,312 #2,019
1999 modern 3,360 #2,012
2000 modern 3,320 #2,028
2001 modern 3,272 #2,014
2002 modern 3,425 #1,980
2003 modern 3,294 #2,007
2004 modern 3,321 #1,993
2005 modern 3,256 #2,001
2006 modern 3,324 #1,965
2007 modern 3,387 #1,943
2008 modern 3,412 #1,945
2009 modern 3,534 #1,927
2010 modern 3,601 #1,935
2011 modern 3,582 #1,925
2012 modern 3,539 #1,899
2013 modern 3,607 #1,901
2014 modern 3,680 #1,873
2015 modern 3,656 #1,866
2016 modern 3,730 #1,822

Geography

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Where Kyles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hamilton, Hawick and Wilton, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newmains, Rhins North, Stranraer West, Corby and Stranraer East. 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 Hamilton Lanark
2 Hawick and Wilton Roxburgh
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newmains North Lanarkshire
2 Rhins North Dumfries and Galloway
3 Stranraer West Dumfries and Galloway
4 Corby 006 Corby
5 Stranraer East Dumfries and Galloway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kyle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kyle

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Kyle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Kyle household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kyle 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

Kyle is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kyle 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 Kyle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Kyle

The surname Kyle originates from the Gaelic language and is believed to have its roots in Scotland, where it first appeared in the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "coill," which means "wood" or "forest," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone who lived near or worked in a wooded area.

In the early records of Scotland, the name was often spelled as "Kyll" or "Kylle," reflecting the pronunciation of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document that lists Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

The Kyle surname is also associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyle of Tongue, which further reinforces its Scottish origins. The name Kyle of Lochalsh, for example, is derived from the Gaelic "Cill Iogha," meaning "the church of Iona."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Kyle. One of the earliest known was John Kyle (c. 1520-1588), a Scottish theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation. Another notable figure was Thomas Kyle (1769-1853), a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and educator who founded the Uniontown Academy in Pennsylvania.

In the 19th century, James Kyle (1808-1859) was a Scottish-American politician who served as a United States Representative from Pennsylvania. Later, in the 20th century, David Brandon Kyle (1919-2009) was an American World War II veteran and author, known for his book "The Immortal Eighth Air Force."

More recently, Jeremiah Kyle (born 1978) is an American actor and producer, best known for his roles in films such as "American Pie" and "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde."

Throughout its history, the Kyle surname has maintained its Scottish roots and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including theologians, politicians, authors, and actors. While the name may have evolved in spelling over time, its connection to the ancient Gaelic language and Scottish heritage remains evident.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kyle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kyle 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 522 Kyles recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.94x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 522 9.94x
Durham 137 2.84x
Renfrewshire 137 10.88x
Lancashire 99 0.51x
Roxburghshire 96 32.63x
Wigtownshire 71 32.92x
Ayrshire 67 5.51x
Northumberland 54 2.23x
Midlothian 46 2.11x
Dunbartonshire 37 8.48x
Yorkshire 36 0.22x
Middlesex 31 0.19x
Staffordshire 28 0.51x
Northamptonshire 23 1.51x
Warwickshire 22 0.54x
Cumberland 17 1.22x
Stirlingshire 17 2.84x
Kent 16 0.29x
Surrey 16 0.20x
Derbyshire 15 0.59x
Selkirkshire 15 10.21x
Berwickshire 11 5.59x
Sussex 11 0.40x
Aberdeenshire 9 0.60x
Argyllshire 9 1.99x
Hampshire 9 0.27x
Inverness-shire 9 1.86x
Kirkcudbrightshire 9 3.83x
Devon 8 0.24x
Fife 8 0.83x
East Lothian 7 3.25x
Essex 7 0.22x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.32x
Peeblesshire 7 9.16x
Banffshire 6 1.78x
Angus 4 0.27x
Westmorland 4 1.12x
Carmarthenshire 3 0.44x
Glamorgan 3 0.11x
Cheshire 2 0.06x
Clackmannanshire 2 1.49x
Cornwall 2 0.11x
Dorset 2 0.19x
Dumfriesshire 2 0.56x
Herefordshire 2 0.30x
Hertfordshire 2 0.18x
Leicestershire 2 0.11x
Royal Navy 2 1.03x
Somerset 2 0.08x
Wiltshire 2 0.14x
Buteshire 1 1.02x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.10x
Isle of Man 1 0.33x
Kincardineshire 1 0.51x
Lincolnshire 1 0.04x
Norfolk 1 0.04x
Oxfordshire 1 0.10x
Perthshire 1 0.14x
Shropshire 1 0.07x
West Lothian 1 0.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 128 Kyles recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.85x.

Place Total Index
Govan 128 9.85x
Barony 111 8.35x
Hawick 67 101.76x
Glasgow 65 6.97x
Abbey 35 18.22x
Hamilton 31 21.16x
Blantyre 30 54.85x
Avondale 27 87.92x
Dalserf 24 45.78x
Kilmarnock 24 16.59x
Crook Billy Row 23 37.17x
Cambuslang 20 37.76x
Holy Island 19 618.89x
Old Kilpatrick 19 36.84x
Old Monkland 19 9.11x
Cambusnethan 18 15.43x
Moss Side 16 15.78x
Paisley Middle Church 16 21.83x
East Greenock 14 11.78x
Eastwood 14 18.06x
Geddington 14 285.13x
Kirkcolm 14 135.40x
Castleton 13 102.85x
Leswalt 13 88.02x
New Monkland 13 8.37x
Bishopwearmouth 12 2.89x
Cathcart 12 17.62x
Dalry 11 19.23x
Fulwood 11 52.81x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 11 5.26x
Inch 11 52.31x
Penicuik 11 37.20x
Rutherglen 11 14.27x
Tanfield 11 19.14x
Kilsyth 10 26.18x
Kirkmaiden 10 73.26x
Melrose 10 27.04x
Wavertree 10 16.21x
Aston 9 0.80x
Battersea 9 1.51x
Bothwell 9 6.32x
Dunoon Kilmun 9 25.52x
Kirkgunzeon 9 246.58x
Row 9 15.94x
Ryhope 9 26.83x
Sedgley 9 4.42x
West Derby 9 1.60x
Winlaton 9 19.41x
Bexhill 8 58.61x
Daviot Dunlichity 8 114.61x
Elswick 8 4.15x
Helmington Row 8 35.54x
Inverkip 8 26.96x
Liverpool 8 0.68x
Sherburn 8 54.38x
Westgate 8 5.35x
Whithorn 8 48.69x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 7 2.49x
Alnwick 7 16.85x
Barnard Castle 7 29.31x
Canterbury St Mary 7 18.82x
Dalziel 7 12.39x
Everton 7 1.14x
Galston 7 21.06x
Irvine 7 20.73x
Kilbarchan 7 18.31x
Middle Greenock 7 20.38x
Paisley High Church 7 6.99x
Prittlewell 7 15.76x
Sorn 7 29.31x
St Anne Soho London 7 7.55x
Stapleton 7 338.16x
Stoke Damerel 7 2.96x
Stoneykirk 7 45.40x
Tranent 7 24.08x
West Calder 7 16.32x
Whickham 7 15.74x
North Leith 6 5.96x
Stranraer 6 30.41x
Woolwich 6 2.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 48
Jane 17
Margaret 15
Elizabeth 14
Sarah 13
Ann 11
Agnes 8
Annie 8
Alice 7
Ellen 7
Isabella 7
Emma 6
Dorothy 5
Emily 5
Janet 5
Catherine 4
Eliza 4
Hannah 4
Maggie 4
Caroline 3
Martha 3
Amy 2
Anne 2
Eleanor 2
Helen 2
Isabel 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Lilly 2
Lucy 2
Margret 2
Maria 2
Rachel 2
Rebecca 2
Aggie 1
Amelia 1
Bessie 1
Bridget 1
Cath. 1
Constance 1
Ed... 1
Edith 1
Emly 1
Emmeline 1
Harriett 1
Hellen 1
Herrietta 1
Infant 1
Julia 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 42
James 33
William 33
George 25
Thomas 24
Robert 19
Edward 11
Joseph 8
Alexander 6
Andrew 5
Henry 5
Jacob 5
Charles 4
Frederick 3
Alfred 2
Benjamin 2
Christopher 2
David 2
Fredk. 2
Gibson 2
Hesekiah 2
Hugh 2
Jno. 2
Matthew 2
Oliver 2
Paul 2
Richard 2
Robt. 2
Simeon 2
Wm. 2
Alex 1
Alexr.Alf. 1
Alexr.G. 1
Archd.T. 1
Arnold 1
Arthur 1
Cecil 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Ferguss. 1
Francis 1
Hubert 1
Jos. 1
Mattw. 1
Nicholas 1
Norman 1
Osborne 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
Wm.B. 1

FAQ

Kyle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kyle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,671 people were recorded with the Kyle surname. That placed it at #2,568 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kyle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,730 in 2016. That gives Kyle a modern rank of #1,822.

What does the Kyle surname mean?

An Irish toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "straight" or "narrow," possibly referring to a strait or channel.

What does the Kyle map show?

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