UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from the name of an estate or parish in Perthshire.
In the 1881 census there were 129 people recorded with the Lennan surname, ranking it #17,013 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 57, ranked #34,511, down from #17,013 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edinburgh, Manchester and Old Monkland. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lennan is 187 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 55.8%.
1881 census count
129
Ranked #17,013
Modern count
57
2016, ranked #34,511
Peak year
1891
187 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lennan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lennan surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 87 | #18,695 |
| 1861 | historical | 141 | #16,072 |
| 1881 | historical | 129 | #17,013 |
| 1891 | historical | 187 | #15,679 |
| 1901 | historical | 112 | #21,382 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 38 | #33,872 |
| 1998 | modern | 45 | #33,374 |
| 1999 | modern | 49 | #33,130 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 43 | #33,576 |
| 2002 | modern | 43 | #33,871 |
| 2003 | modern | 43 | #33,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 46 | #33,883 |
| 2005 | modern | 50 | #33,784 |
| 2006 | modern | 44 | #34,568 |
| 2007 | modern | 42 | #34,905 |
| 2008 | modern | 47 | #34,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 48 | #34,798 |
| 2010 | modern | 62 | #34,069 |
| 2011 | modern | 51 | #34,751 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 49 | #34,952 |
| 2014 | modern | 56 | #34,601 |
| 2015 | modern | 51 | #34,834 |
| 2016 | modern | 57 | #34,511 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edinburgh, Manchester, Old Monkland, Glasgow and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Old Monkland | Lanark |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lennan surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lennan, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Lennan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lennan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Lennan is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lennan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lennan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lennan is of Scottish origin, with its roots dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Ayrshire, a county located in the southwest of Scotland. The name is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "lèannan," which means "beloved" or "sweetheart."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lennan can be found in the Scottish Clan Records of 1496, where a certain Ewen Lennan is mentioned as a member of the Clan MacLennan. This clan was prominent in the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the areas around Inverness and the Black Isle.
In the 16th century, the name Lennan appeared in various records and manuscripts, including the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1531, which listed a John Lennan as a landowner in the county of Ayr. The Lennan family is also believed to have held lands in the parish of Girvan, located in the former district of Carrick, now part of South Ayrshire.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Lennan include William Lennan (1797-1875), a Scottish-born architect who immigrated to Canada and is credited with designing several prominent buildings in Toronto, such as the St. Lawrence Hall and the Yorkville Town Hall. Another noteworthy figure is James Lennan (1841-1919), a Scottish-Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons.
In the United States, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lennan can be found in the 1790 census, which lists a John Lennan residing in Pennsylvania. Another prominent individual was Fergus Lennan (1818-1892), an Irish-born American businessman and landowner who established the town of Lennanville in Pennsylvania.
Additionally, the name Lennan has been associated with several place names in Scotland. For example, the village of Lennanton, located in East Ayrshire, is believed to have derived its name from the Lennan family, who were once landowners in the area. Similarly, the Lennan Burn, a small river in South Ayrshire, is thought to have been named after the same family.
Throughout the centuries, the spelling of the surname has remained relatively consistent, with variations such as Lennon, Lannon, and Lannin being recorded. However, the Lennan spelling has remained the predominant form, particularly in Scotland and North America.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lennan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 28 Lennans recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.10x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 28 | 7.10x |
| Ayrshire | 26 | 28.50x |
| Lancashire | 11 | 0.76x |
| Midlothian | 10 | 6.12x |
| Renfrewshire | 10 | 10.58x |
| Durham | 9 | 2.48x |
| Warwickshire | 8 | 2.60x |
| Selkirkshire | 6 | 54.40x |
| Dunbartonshire | 5 | 15.26x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.74x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 1.45x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.79x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 0.89x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 1.19x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.24x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 1 | 5.67x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.08x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.63x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 9 Lennans recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.86x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 9 | 12.86x |
| Birmingham | 8 | 7.81x |
| Dalry | 8 | 186.48x |
| Govan | 8 | 8.20x |
| Largs | 8 | 372.09x |
| Penshaw | 7 | 642.20x |
| Eaglesham | 6 | 1034.48x |
| Stow | 6 | 3750.00x |
| Crichton | 5 | 1086.96x |
| Barony | 4 | 4.01x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 4 | 34.81x |
| Dumbarton | 4 | 87.72x |
| Eastwood | 4 | 68.73x |
| Old Monkland | 4 | 25.56x |
| Auckinleck | 3 | 106.38x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 3 | 4.57x |
| Kilmarnock | 3 | 27.62x |
| Shotts | 3 | 63.56x |
| Chester St Mary On Hill | 2 | 86.58x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 2.28x |
| Maybole | 2 | 71.94x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 1 | 4.24x |
| Ayr | 1 | 23.20x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 2.72x |
| Devonport | 1 | 34.25x |
| Edinburgh High Church | 1 | 98.04x |
| Edinburgh St Georges | 1 | 29.50x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 3.68x |
| Heaton Norris | 1 | 12.15x |
| Kilkhampton | 1 | 243.90x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 4.11x |
| Lidford | 1 | 87.72x |
| Madron Penzance | 1 | 19.92x |
| Manchester | 1 | 1.54x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 1 | 14.51x |
| Old Kilpatrick | 1 | 25.84x |
| Preston | 1 | 2.58x |
| St Quivox | 1 | 32.47x |
| Stranton | 1 | 8.19x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 2.04x |
| Urr | 1 | 43.48x |
| Watford | 1 | 15.36x |
| Worcester All Sts | 1 | 108.70x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lennan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Lennan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 129 people were recorded with the Lennan surname. That placed it at #17,013 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 57 in 2016. That gives Lennan a modern rank of #34,511.
A Scottish surname derived from the name of an estate or parish in Perthshire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lennan bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.