NameCensus.

UK surname

Lin

A Chinese surname meaning "forest" or "fine jade," or referring to a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Lin surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,090, ranked #3,094, up from #30,609 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Telford and Wrekin, Oxford and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lin is 2,090 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9852.4%.

1881 census count

21

Ranked #30,609

Modern count

2,090

2016, ranked #3,094

Peak year

2016

2,090 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lin had 21 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,609 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,090 in 2016, ranked #3,094.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lin 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 36 #26,838
1881 historical 21 #30,609
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 11 #32,907
1997 modern 273 #14,417
1998 modern 311 #13,550
1999 modern 326 #13,238
2000 modern 345 #12,693
2001 modern 344 #12,526
2002 modern 418 #11,084
2003 modern 527 #9,137
2004 modern 605 #8,299
2005 modern 709 #7,256
2006 modern 765 #6,876
2007 modern 882 #6,186
2008 modern 915 #6,061
2009 modern 1,028 #5,638
2010 modern 1,284 #4,749
2011 modern 1,251 #4,816
2012 modern 1,711 #3,624
2013 modern 1,828 #3,484
2014 modern 1,941 #3,338
2015 modern 1,998 #3,242
2016 modern 2,090 #3,094

Geography

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Where Lins 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 Telford and Wrekin, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester and Westminster. 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 Telford and Wrekin 015 Telford and Wrekin
2 Oxford 008 Oxford
3 Birmingham 138 Birmingham
4 Manchester 018 Manchester
5 Westminster 017 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lin

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lin

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Lin 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

Lin 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

Lin falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lin 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Lin

The surname Lin is of Chinese origin, with its roots traced back to the 3rd century BC during the Warring States period. It is derived from the Chinese word "lin," which means "forest" or "woods." The name is thought to have originated in the regions of Fujian and Guangdong provinces in southeastern China.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the Lin surname can be found in the historical text "Shiji" (Records of the Grand Historian) by Sima Qian, which mentions a prominent figure named Lin Xiangru, who lived during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD). Another notable historical figure bearing the Lin surname was Lin Zexu (1785-1850), a scholar-official best known for his relentless efforts in suppressing the opium trade in China during the Qing Dynasty.

The Lin surname has also been associated with several place names in China, such as Linyi in Shandong Province and Linxia in Gansu Province. These place names likely derived from the same etymological root as the surname, reflecting the presence of forests or wooded areas in those regions.

Throughout history, various individuals with the Lin surname have made significant contributions across various fields. One notable example is Lin Huiyin (1904-1955), a renowned architect and writer who was a pioneer in the field of architectural preservation in China. Another prominent figure was Lin Yutang (1895-1976), a Chinese writer, linguist, and inventor who played a crucial role in bridging the cultural gap between China and the West through his works.

Lin Biao (1907-1971) was a prominent Chinese communist military leader who played a significant role in the Chinese Civil War and later served as the Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of China under Mao Zedong. Lin Xiaoxiao (1962-), on the other hand, is a contemporary Chinese film director and screenwriter known for her critically acclaimed works that explore the complexities of modern Chinese society.

Lastly, Lin Dan (1983-) is a renowned Chinese professional badminton player who has won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in the sport's history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lin 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 6 Lins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.73x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 6 2.73x
Kent 4 6.33x
Lanarkshire 4 6.68x
Middlesex 3 1.62x
Sussex 1 3.20x
Warwickshire 1 2.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rusholme in Lancashire leads with 4 Lins recorded in 1881 and an index of 677.97x.

Place Total Index
Rusholme 4 677.97x
Bothwell 3 185.19x
Rochester St Nicholas 3 1500.00x
Harrow 2 714.29x
Salford 2 30.96x
Birmingham 1 6.42x
Govan 1 6.75x
Hampstead London 1 34.72x
Hove 1 72.99x
Margate St John Baptist 1 86.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 2
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Elizabeth 1
Florence 1
Mary 1
Maud 1
Rachel 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
Elias 1
Hubert 1
John 1
Oscar 1

FAQ

Lin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Lin surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,090 in 2016. That gives Lin a modern rank of #3,094.

What does the Lin surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "forest" or "fine jade," or referring to a place name.

What does the Lin map show?

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