NameCensus.

UK surname

Linnen

Surname derived from the Dutch word for linen, likely referring to a linen weaver or merchant.

In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Linnen surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 173, ranked #21,561, up from #26,587 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Townhead, Fintry and Kirkwood and Bargeddie.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Linnen is 174 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 246.0%.

1881 census count

50

Ranked #26,587

Modern count

173

2016, ranked #21,561

Peak year

2015

174 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Linnen had 50 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,587 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016, ranked #21,561.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 75 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Linnen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Linnen surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Linnen 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 57 #23,092
1861 historical 46 #28,170
1881 historical 50 #26,587
1891 historical 75 #27,414
1901 historical 63 #27,134
1911 historical 21 #31,179
1997 modern 146 #21,494
1998 modern 149 #21,755
1999 modern 153 #21,551
2000 modern 156 #21,235
2001 modern 151 #21,375
2002 modern 155 #21,431
2003 modern 162 #20,624
2004 modern 154 #21,432
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 152 #21,721
2007 modern 157 #21,546
2008 modern 164 #21,137
2009 modern 169 #21,190
2010 modern 167 #21,835
2011 modern 168 #21,563
2012 modern 168 #21,516
2013 modern 172 #21,575
2014 modern 169 #22,006
2015 modern 174 #21,449
2016 modern 173 #21,561

Geography

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Where Linnens 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 Townhead, Fintry, Kirkwood and Bargeddie, Newham and Dundyvan. 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 Townhead North Lanarkshire
2 Fintry Dundee City
3 Kirkwood and Bargeddie North Lanarkshire
4 Newham 031 Newham
5 Dundyvan North Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Linnen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Linnen

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Linnen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Linnen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Linnen is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Linnen is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Linnen falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Linnen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Linnen

The surname Linnen originated in Germany in the 13th century. It is derived from the Old German word "linnen," which means "linen cloth." The name likely referred to someone who worked with linen or in the linen trade.

During the Middle Ages, many people took on surnames based on their occupations or trades. The Linnen surname would have been given to individuals involved in the production or sale of linen fabric.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Linnen surname dates back to 1295 in the town of Cologne, Germany. A merchant named Johann Linnen was mentioned in a local record from that time.

As the name spread across Europe, various spellings emerged, including Linnen, Linnemann, and Linnemann. These variations often reflected regional dialects or scribes' interpretations.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Hans Linnen (1516-1588) gained recognition as a skilled linen weaver in the city of Aachen, Germany. His work contributed to the region's thriving textile industry.

Another prominent individual with the Linnen surname was Johann Linnen (1629-1703), a Lutheran theologian and scholar from Saxony, Germany. He authored several influential works on theology and biblical interpretation.

In the 18th century, the Linnen name appeared in various records across Germany and neighboring regions. For instance, a family of linen merchants named Linnen was documented in the town of Münster, Germany, in the 1760s.

During the 19th century, the Linnen surname spread further as people emigrated from Germany to other parts of Europe and beyond. One notable figure was August Linnen (1843-1916), a German-American entrepreneur who established a successful linen manufacturing company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Throughout its history, the Linnen surname has maintained a strong connection to the linen trade and textile industry. While the name originated in Germany, it has since been found in various parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns of those who bore it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Linnen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Linnen 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 14 Linnens recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.88x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 14 8.88x
Surrey 7 2.95x
Dunbartonshire 6 45.80x
Midlothian 6 9.19x
Northumberland 5 6.89x
Lancashire 3 0.52x
Perthshire 3 13.71x
Cambridgeshire 2 6.48x
Ayrshire 1 2.74x
Devon 1 0.99x
Warwickshire 1 0.81x
West Lothian 1 13.62x

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 12 Linnens recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.77x.

Place Total Index
Govan 12 30.77x
Camberwell 7 22.47x
Bonhill 6 285.71x
Amble 5 1515.15x
Dalkeith 3 232.56x
Kilmadock 3 600.00x
Cockpen 2 263.16x
Outwell 2 3333.33x
West Derby 2 11.81x
Birmingham 1 2.44x
Devonport 1 85.47x
Dundonald 1 74.07x
New Monkland 1 21.46x
Newton 1 454.55x
North Meols 1 17.67x
Old Monkland 1 15.97x
Whitburn 1 94.34x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Julia 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 4
John 2
Albert 1
Edward 1
Joseph 1
Patrick 1
Thos. 1
William 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Linnen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Linnen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Linnen surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Linnen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 173 in 2016. That gives Linnen a modern rank of #21,561.

What does the Linnen surname mean?

Surname derived from the Dutch word for linen, likely referring to a linen weaver or merchant.

What does the Linnen map show?

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