NameCensus.

UK surname

Magan

An English surname derived from the Irish place name Maighchenán, meaning "plain of the monks".

In the 1881 census there were 101 people recorded with the Magan surname, ranking it #19,636 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 185, ranked #20,652, down from #19,636 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bury, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, South Kesteven and Leicester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Magan is 339 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.2%.

1881 census count

101

Ranked #19,636

Modern count

185

2016, ranked #20,652

Peak year

1861

339 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Magan had 101 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,636 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016, ranked #20,652.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 339 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Magan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Magan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Magan 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 118 #15,362
1861 historical 339 #7,522
1881 historical 101 #19,636
1891 historical 179 #16,198
1901 historical 72 #26,162
1911 historical 68 #26,050
1997 modern 119 #24,302
1998 modern 115 #25,466
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 117 #25,324
2001 modern 113 #25,489
2002 modern 121 #24,984
2003 modern 119 #25,026
2004 modern 131 #23,756
2005 modern 140 #22,774
2006 modern 140 #22,948
2007 modern 141 #23,137
2008 modern 163 #21,238
2009 modern 168 #21,290
2010 modern 167 #21,835
2011 modern 169 #21,499
2012 modern 168 #21,516
2013 modern 184 #20,643
2014 modern 182 #20,958
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 185 #20,652

Geography

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Where Magans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bury, London parishes, St Pancras, Manchester and St Leonard Bromley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Brent, South Kesteven, Leicester and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 Bury Lancashire
2 London parishes London 1
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Brent 029 Brent
2 South Kesteven 001 South Kesteven
3 Brent 026 Brent
4 Leicester 010 Leicester
5 Kensington and Chelsea 010 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Magan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Magan

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Magan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Magan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Magan is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Magan 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

Magan falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Magan 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 - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Magan

The surname Magan is believed to have originated in Ireland, traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "mág" meaning "plain" or "field." The name likely referred to someone who lived on or near a plain or field.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, dating back to 1183. The entry mentions a "Donatus Magan," suggesting the name was already in use during that time period.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the Magan surname was John Magan, a prominent scholar and cleric who served as the Archbishop of Armagh from 1368 to 1377. He played a significant role in the ecclesiastical affairs of Ireland during that period.

During the 16th century, the Magan family held lands in County Westmeath, particularly in the areas of Moyvore and Kilbeggan. Records from that time often refer to the family's landholdings and their involvement in local affairs.

One of the most well-known individuals with the surname Magan was William Magan, a 17th-century Irish Catholic priest and writer. Born in 1612, Magan was a prolific author, publishing works on various subjects including theology, philosophy, and history.

In the 18th century, the Magan name appeared in several historical documents related to the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Patrick Magan, born in 1756, was a prominent figure in the United Irishmen movement and played an active role in the rebellion against British rule.

Another notable figure from the 19th century was James Magan, born in 1823, who served as a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and fought in the Fenian Rising of 1867, a failed rebellion against British rule in Ireland.

Throughout its history, the surname Magan has been associated with various locations and place names in Ireland, such as Magannstown, Maganstown, and Maganbane, reflecting the family's presence and influence in different parts of the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Magan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Magan 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 30 Magans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.59x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 30 2.59x
Cumberland 17 20.24x
Middlesex 15 1.54x
Warwickshire 9 3.66x
Yorkshire 6 0.62x
Glamorgan 3 1.77x
Surrey 3 0.63x
West Lothian 3 20.42x
Midlothian 2 1.53x
Northumberland 2 1.38x
Staffordshire 2 0.61x
Argyllshire 1 3.68x
Cheshire 1 0.46x
Devon 1 0.49x
Durham 1 0.34x
Kent 1 0.30x
Norfolk 1 0.67x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.76x
Shropshire 1 1.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cleator in Cumberland leads with 13 Magans recorded in 1881 and an index of 371.43x.

Place Total Index
Cleator 13 371.43x
Everton 13 35.24x
Birmingham 9 10.98x
Kensington London 6 11.06x
Pennington In Leigh 5 225.23x
Westminster St John 5 42.09x
Millom 4 155.64x
Blackburn 3 9.74x
Cardiff St Mary 3 32.05x
Dalmeny 3 535.71x
Liverpool 3 4.27x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 7.91x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 3.80x
Hulme 2 8.27x
North Shields 2 68.97x
Pocklington 2 219.78x
Shoreditch London 2 4.73x
Stone 2 47.51x
Barnes 1 49.75x
Birkdale 1 34.13x
Birtley 1 84.75x
Camberwell 1 1.60x
Castle Acre 1 222.22x
Chelsea London 1 3.40x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 5.44x
Clapham 1 8.20x
Compton Gifford 1 156.25x
Deptford St Paul 1 3.90x
Dunoon Kilmun 1 47.17x
Ealing 1 11.47x
Knutsford Nether 1 76.92x
Langwith 1 769.23x
Nether Hallam 1 7.65x
Saddleworth 1 13.40x
Sheffield 1 3.25x
Shrewsbury St Chad 1 33.78x
Tankersley 1 138.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Catherine 4
Elizabeth 4
Margaret 4
Bridget 3
Esther 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Ann 1
Catharine 1
Christiana 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Johanna 1
Julia 1
Maggie 1
Margrt. 1
May 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 6
Daniel 4
Martin 4
Patrick 4
James 3
Joseph 3
Francis 2
Thomas 2
Albert 1
Chas. 1
Dinnis 1
Henry 1
Paddy 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Magan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Magan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 101 people were recorded with the Magan surname. That placed it at #19,636 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Magan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016. That gives Magan a modern rank of #20,652.

What does the Magan surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Irish place name Maighchenán, meaning "plain of the monks".

What does the Magan map show?

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