NameCensus.

UK surname

Megan

A surname deriving from a Celtic word meaning "small" or "little."

In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Megan surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 132, ranked #25,882, down from #24,256 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Orbiston, Lichfield and West Berkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Megan is 132 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 100.0%.

1881 census count

66

Ranked #24,256

Modern count

132

2016, ranked #25,882

Peak year

2016

132 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Megan had 66 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,256 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016, ranked #25,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 112 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Megan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Megan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Megan 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 48 #24,615
1861 historical 112 #19,279
1881 historical 66 #24,256
1891 historical 88 #25,677
1901 historical 57 #27,846
1911 historical 87 #24,147
1997 modern 81 #29,436
1998 modern 84 #29,537
1999 modern 88 #29,287
2000 modern 94 #28,573
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 80 #30,387
2003 modern 74 #31,091
2004 modern 72 #31,488
2005 modern 70 #31,912
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 77 #31,856
2008 modern 77 #32,181
2009 modern 85 #31,717
2010 modern 89 #31,745
2011 modern 88 #31,801
2012 modern 95 #31,107
2013 modern 115 #28,176
2014 modern 120 #27,646
2015 modern 121 #27,405
2016 modern 132 #25,882

Geography

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Where Megans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Merthyr Tydfil and Lockerley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Orbiston, Lichfield, West Berkshire, Stevenage and Wandsworth. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 London parishes London 3
4 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
5 Lockerley Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Orbiston North Lanarkshire
2 Lichfield 008 Lichfield
3 West Berkshire 021 West Berkshire
4 Stevenage 003 Stevenage
5 Wandsworth 012 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Megan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Megan

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Megan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Megan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Megan is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Megan 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

Megan falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Megan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Megan

The surname Megan originates from Wales and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Welsh name Megan, which means "pearl" or "precious one." This name was commonly used in Wales during the Middle Ages and was likely adopted as a surname by families who bore it.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Megan can be found in the Valor Ecclesiasticus, a survey of ecclesiastical revenues conducted in Wales in the 13th century. The name is also mentioned in various Welsh genealogical records and manuscripts from the 14th and 15th centuries.

The surname Megan has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Rhys Megan (c. 1450-1520), a Welsh landowner and supporter of the House of Tudor. Another notable figure was Gwilym Megan (c. 1520-1585), a Welsh poet and bard who was renowned for his cywyddau, a type of Welsh poetry.

In the 17th century, the surname Megan became more widespread in Wales and can be found in various parish records and legal documents. One prominent individual from this period was Evan Megan (1628-1701), a Welsh clergyman and author who wrote several works on Welsh history and literature.

The 18th century saw the emergence of several Megan families in different parts of Wales, including the Megans of Pembrokeshire and the Megans of Carmarthenshire. One notable figure from this period was John Megan (1735-1810), a Welsh landowner and philanthropist who donated generously to various charitable causes.

As the surname Megan spread beyond Wales, it also became associated with various place names and locations. For instance, the town of Megan in Pembrokeshire is believed to have derived its name from the surname. Additionally, there are several villages and hamlets in Wales with names that incorporate the word "Megan," such as Meganwy and Meganfryn.

Throughout history, the surname Megan has been borne by numerous individuals across various fields, including writers, artists, politicians, and academics. Some notable examples include the Welsh poet and writer Emyr Megan (1904-1987), the British historian and author Garry Megan (1925-2007), and the American actress Grace Megan (1878-1947).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Megan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Megan 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 15 Megans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.33x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 15 2.33x
Cumberland 9 16.24x
Yorkshire 9 1.41x
Staffordshire 8 3.68x
Durham 6 3.13x
Lanarkshire 6 2.88x
Surrey 5 1.59x
Glamorgan 3 2.68x
Warwickshire 3 1.85x
Anglesey 1 8.76x
Lancashire 1 0.13x

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 9 Megans recorded in 1881 and an index of 389.61x.

Place Total Index
Cleator 9 389.61x
Leeds 6 16.66x
Croydon 5 28.72x
Westminster St James 5 75.53x
Old Monkland 4 48.43x
Rugeley 4 256.41x
St George Martyr 4 370.37x
Birmingham 3 5.55x
Bishop Auckland 3 116.73x
St Giles In Fields 2 90.09x
St Mary 2 465.12x
Tanfield 2 87.72x
Aberdare 1 13.00x
Cardiff St John 1 27.32x
Caverswall 1 88.50x
Chelsea London 1 5.16x
Dalziel 1 44.64x
Esh 1 71.94x
Govan 1 1.94x
Harborne 1 14.37x
Holyhead 1 46.95x
Hook 1 71.43x
Kensington London 1 2.79x
Liverpool 1 2.16x
Llandaff 1 26.81x
Spitalfields London 1 20.66x
Tettenhall 1 75.19x
Walsall Borough 1 59.17x
Whitechapel London 1 15.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Bridget 5
Margaret 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Ann 1
Elisabeth 1
Emma 1
Hannah 1
Kate 1
Kitty 1
Margrate 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7
James 6
Patrick 3
Thomas 3
Owen 2
Bejaman 1
George 1
Kennedy 1
Patzy 1
Timothy 1
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Megan households.

FAQ

Megan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Megan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Megan surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Megan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 132 in 2016. That gives Megan a modern rank of #25,882.

What does the Megan surname mean?

A surname deriving from a Celtic word meaning "small" or "little."

What does the Megan map show?

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