NameCensus.

UK surname

Lanigan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Lannagáin," meaning "descendant of Lannagán," a personal name of unknown meaning.

In the 1881 census there were 223 people recorded with the Lanigan surname, ranking it #11,998 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 614, ranked #8,552, up from #11,998 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Toxteth Park and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tameside, Knowsley and Liverpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lanigan is 635 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 175.3%.

1881 census count

223

Ranked #11,998

Modern count

614

2016, ranked #8,552

Peak year

1998

635 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lanigan had 223 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,998 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 614 in 2016, ranked #8,552.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 232 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Lanigan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lanigan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lanigan 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 60 #22,584
1861 historical 85 #22,922
1881 historical 223 #11,998
1891 historical 227 #13,629
1901 historical 232 #13,769
1911 historical 192 #15,342
1997 modern 626 #7,904
1998 modern 635 #8,050
1999 modern 623 #8,224
2000 modern 632 #8,111
2001 modern 614 #8,147
2002 modern 601 #8,453
2003 modern 604 #8,283
2004 modern 585 #8,500
2005 modern 580 #8,470
2006 modern 593 #8,359
2007 modern 595 #8,407
2008 modern 588 #8,548
2009 modern 606 #8,535
2010 modern 628 #8,485
2011 modern 615 #8,519
2012 modern 614 #8,453
2013 modern 635 #8,356
2014 modern 630 #8,453
2015 modern 621 #8,492
2016 modern 614 #8,552

Geography

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Where Lanigans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Toxteth Park, Manchester, Liverpool and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tameside, Knowsley, Liverpool, Coventry and Fylde. 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 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tameside 028 Tameside
2 Knowsley 004 Knowsley
3 Liverpool 040 Liverpool
4 Coventry 035 Coventry
5 Fylde 009 Fylde

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lanigan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lanigan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lanigan, 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 Lanigan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Lanigan 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Lanigan is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lanigan 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

Lanigan 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 Lanigan 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 Lanigan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Lanigan

The surname Lanigan originates from Ireland and dates back to the 7th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "O'Lonigan," which means "descendant of Loingseachain." The name is believed to have originated in County Tipperary, Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the annals, a man named Loingseachain is mentioned as a chieftain in Tipperary in the 7th century.

The surname Lanigan has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded examples is Laidgin O'Lonigan, a 13th-century Irish cleric and scholar who served as the Archbishop of Cashel from 1237 to 1253.

Another prominent figure with the surname Lanigan was John Lanigan (1758-1828), an Irish priest and historian best known for his work "An Ecclesiastical History of Ireland." He was born in Cashel, Tipperary, and his work is considered a significant contribution to the study of Irish history.

In the 19th century, Michael Lanigan (1826-1900) was an Irish-born Australian politician and businessman. He served as the Mayor of Sydney from 1888 to 1889 and played a significant role in the development of the city's infrastructure.

Frances Lanigan (1844-1921) was an American teacher and author who wrote several books on Irish history and literature. She was born in New York City and is known for her efforts in promoting Irish culture and education.

More recently, John Lanigan (1935-2013) was an Irish actor and playwright. He was born in Dublin and had a successful career in theater, appearing in productions both in Ireland and abroad.

The surname Lanigan has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Lanigan's Ball and Lanigan's Bridge, both located in County Tipperary. These place names likely originated from individuals or families with the surname Lanigan who lived or owned property in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lanigan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lanigan 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 89 Lanigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.43x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 89 3.43x
Durham 40 6.15x
Middlesex 24 1.10x
Northumberland 14 4.31x
Surrey 14 1.32x
Cheshire 9 1.87x
Monmouthshire 7 4.43x
Renfrewshire 7 4.13x
Warwickshire 5 0.91x
Pembrokeshire 4 5.76x
Essex 3 0.70x
Yorkshire 2 0.09x
Devon 1 0.22x
Glamorgan 1 0.26x
Hampshire 1 0.22x
Kent 1 0.13x
Lanarkshire 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 3.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 16 Lanigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.68x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 16 28.68x
Toxteth Park 16 18.23x
Liverpool 14 8.89x
West Derby 14 18.46x
Longbenton 12 87.15x
Parr 10 107.76x
Sutton 9 103.45x
Bedwellty 7 25.10x
Bermondsey 7 10.76x
Lambeth 7 3.67x
Monks Coppenhall 7 38.46x
Southwick 7 113.64x
Chorlton On Medlock 6 14.57x
Kensington London 6 4.94x
Shoreditch London 6 6.34x
Birmingham 5 2.72x
Manchester 5 4.29x
Monkwearmouth Shore 5 39.40x
Eastwood 4 38.35x
Hulme 4 7.39x
Llanstadwell 4 176.21x
Stranton 4 18.28x
East Greenock 3 18.76x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 3 10.66x
Heworth 3 23.42x
Leyton Low 3 34.21x
St Bartholomew Great 3 150.75x
Whitechapel London 3 13.93x
Elvet 2 42.64x
Everton 2 2.42x
Islington London 2 0.94x
Westminster St James 2 8.90x
Barnsley 1 4.48x
Bedlington 1 9.21x
Birkenhead 1 2.60x
Cheetham 1 5.17x
Crumpsall 1 16.37x
Glasgow 1 0.80x
Great Lever 1 36.36x
Halton 1 2500.00x
Kirkdale 1 2.29x
Leeds 1 0.82x
Lidford 1 49.02x
Portsea 1 1.14x
Rishton 1 32.89x
Royal Navy 1 4.49x
Salford 1 1.31x
St Benet Fink London 1 1111.11x
Swansea 1 232.56x
Tranmere 1 5.64x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 1 13.40x
Walton On Hill 1 7.12x
Westminster St John 1 3.76x
Withington 1 11.98x
Woolwich 1 3.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Margaret 13
Catherine 6
Alice 4
Emma 4
Kate 4
Martha 4
Sarah 4
Ann 3
Annie 3
Ellen 3
Bridget 2
Elizabeth 2
Hannah 2
Julia 2
Madeline 2
Maggie 2
Maria 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Eleanor 1
Elenor 1
Frances 1
Hester 1
Joahanna 1
Johanna 1
Johannah 1
Lizzie 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Matha 1
May 1
Nellie 1
Rachael 1
Selina 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 20
James 13
Thomas 13
Patrick 9
Michael 8
William 5
Charles 3
Edward 3
Joseph 3
Nicholas 3
Robert 3
Martin 2
Peter 2
Richard 2
Richd 2
Stephen 2
Alfred 1
Archibald 1
Cornelius 1
Dennis 1
George 1
Lawrence 1
Matthew 1
Michail 1
Michal 1
Michel 1
Mike 1
Nathaniel 1
Owen 1
Patk. 1
Paul 1
Thos. 1
Thos.A. 1

FAQ

Lanigan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lanigan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 223 people were recorded with the Lanigan surname. That placed it at #11,998 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lanigan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 614 in 2016. That gives Lanigan a modern rank of #8,552.

What does the Lanigan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Lannagáin," meaning "descendant of Lannagán," a personal name of unknown meaning.

What does the Lanigan map show?

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