NameCensus.

UK surname

Magner

An Irish occupational surname referring to a merchant, trader, or monger, derived from the Irish Gaelic "Ó Meicnéir."

In the 1881 census there were 86 people recorded with the Magner surname, ranking it #21,449 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 182, ranked #20,890, up from #21,449 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Hull Holy Trinity and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rochdale, Wirral and Bath and North East Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Magner is 193 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 111.6%.

1881 census count

86

Ranked #21,449

Modern count

182

2016, ranked #20,890

Peak year

1997

193 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Magner had 86 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,449 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 182 in 2016, ranked #20,890.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 131 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Magner surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Magner surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Magner 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 82 #19,317
1861 historical 84 #23,058
1881 historical 86 #21,449
1891 historical 131 #20,073
1901 historical 114 #21,166
1911 historical 119 #20,535
1997 modern 193 #18,035
1998 modern 177 #19,523
1999 modern 169 #20,233
2000 modern 175 #19,764
2001 modern 170 #19,838
2002 modern 181 #19,463
2003 modern 187 #18,856
2004 modern 173 #19,937
2005 modern 168 #20,227
2006 modern 169 #20,294
2007 modern 170 #20,471
2008 modern 168 #20,828
2009 modern 171 #21,024
2010 modern 178 #20,965
2011 modern 176 #20,957
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 176 #21,237
2014 modern 181 #21,033
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 182 #20,890

Geography

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Where Magners are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Hull Holy Trinity, St Pancras, Manchester and St Giles-in-the-Fields. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rochdale, Wirral, Bath and North East Somerset, Havering and New Forest. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St Giles-in-the-Fields London (Central Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rochdale 017 Rochdale
2 Wirral 022 Wirral
3 Bath and North East Somerset 022 Bath and North East Somerset
4 Havering 029 Havering
5 New Forest 015 New Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Magner

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Magner

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Magner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Magner household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Magner 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

Magner 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

Magner falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Magner is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Magner

The surname Magner has its origins in Ireland, and it is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "maighnéir," which means "magnet" or "magnetic stone."

One theory suggests that the name may have originally been a descriptive nickname given to someone who possessed a strong or magnetic personality. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational surname for someone who worked with magnets or as a maker of compasses or navigational instruments.

While there are no direct records of the name appearing in ancient manuscripts like the Domesday Book, some early references can be found in Irish historical records. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is from the 16th century, when a certain Dermot Magner is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history.

In the 17th century, the name is seen in various records, such as the 1659 Census of Ireland, where several individuals with the surname Magner are listed in County Tipperary and County Kilkenny. This suggests that the name was concentrated in these regions during that time period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Magner. One prominent figure was Patrick Magner (1806-1864), an Irish Catholic priest and educator who founded several schools in Ireland and the United States. Another notable Magner was John Magner (1884-1947), an Irish-American businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Yonkers, New York, in the early 20th century.

In the realm of literature, the surname Magner is associated with Mary Magner (1909-1993), an Irish novelist and short story writer who gained recognition for her works depicting life in rural Ireland. Additionally, James Magner (1919-2004) was an American artist and illustrator known for his work in the advertising industry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in a place name context is Magner's Hill, a small village in County Tipperary, Ireland, which likely derived its name from an early settler or landowner with the surname Magner.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Magner families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Magner 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. Middlesex leads with 23 Magners recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.74x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 23 2.74x
Lancashire 12 1.21x
Yorkshire 11 1.32x
Surrey 10 2.45x
Kent 9 3.15x
Gloucestershire 8 4.86x
Norfolk 7 5.43x
Essex 3 1.81x
Cornwall 1 1.05x
Hampshire 1 0.58x
Somerset 1 0.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holy Trinity in Yorkshire leads with 11 Magners recorded in 1881 and an index of 55.03x.

Place Total Index
Holy Trinity 11 55.03x
Bristol St George 8 105.12x
Bunwell 7 2800.00x
Chelsea London 7 27.70x
Shoreditch London 7 19.25x
Deptford St Nicholas 6 264.32x
Lambeth 6 8.20x
Manchester 6 13.40x
St Pancras London 6 8.89x
Kirkdale 5 29.87x
Colchester St Peter 3 454.55x
Maidstone 3 35.21x
Newington 3 9.68x
St Giles In Fields 2 69.20x
Acton 1 20.33x
Aldershot 1 17.36x
Bedminster 1 7.88x
Bermondsey 1 4.00x
Blackley 1 57.47x
Falmouth 1 29.76x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
Thomas 8
David 3
Edward 3
Henry 3
Michael 3
Alfred 1
Denis 1
Frederick 1
Lionel 1
Louis 1
Maurice 1
Max 1
Richard 1
Rodger 1
Selig 1

FAQ

Magner surname: questions and answers

How common was the Magner surname in 1881?

In 1881, 86 people were recorded with the Magner surname. That placed it at #21,449 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Magner surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 182 in 2016. That gives Magner a modern rank of #20,890.

What does the Magner surname mean?

An Irish occupational surname referring to a merchant, trader, or monger, derived from the Irish Gaelic "Ó Meicnéir."

What does the Magner map show?

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