NameCensus.

UK surname

Morin

A French topographic surname for someone living near a small hill, derived from the Old French "morin" meaning "small hill."

In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Morin surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 291, ranked #15,062, up from #23,062 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Southampton St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northampton, Clackmannan, Kennet and Forestmill and Slough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Morin is 291 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 293.2%.

1881 census count

74

Ranked #23,062

Modern count

291

2016, ranked #15,062

Peak year

2016

291 bearers

Map years

4

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Morin had 74 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,062 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016, ranked #15,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 103 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Morin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Morin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Morin 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 61 #22,412
1861 historical 90 #22,312
1881 historical 74 #23,062
1891 historical 103 #23,558
1901 historical 81 #25,130
1911 historical 82 #24,635
1997 modern 223 #16,448
1998 modern 225 #16,846
1999 modern 227 #16,834
2000 modern 223 #16,978
2001 modern 211 #17,376
2002 modern 224 #17,042
2003 modern 219 #17,085
2004 modern 212 #17,540
2005 modern 218 #17,170
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 233 #16,752
2008 modern 235 #16,777
2009 modern 251 #16,368
2010 modern 258 #16,432
2011 modern 271 #15,708
2012 modern 275 #15,459
2013 modern 276 #15,683
2014 modern 283 #15,495
2015 modern 285 #15,307
2016 modern 291 #15,062

Geography

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Where Morins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Southampton St Mary and Dirleton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northampton, Clackmannan, Kennet and Forestmill, Slough, Greenwich and West Somerset. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 Dirleton Haddington

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northampton 017 Northampton
2 Clackmannan, Kennet and Forestmill Clackmannanshire
3 Slough 001 Slough
4 Greenwich 034 Greenwich
5 West Somerset 004 West Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Morin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Morin

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Morin 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

Morin 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

Morin 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 Morin 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Morin

The surname Morin has its origins in France, with records of the name dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "morin," which referred to someone with a dark complexion or tanned skin. This could indicate that the name was initially used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a darker complexion.

The earliest known recording of the name Morin can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of landowners in England conducted in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named "Morin de Aubigny," suggesting that the name had already spread from France to England by the late 11th century.

In the 12th century, the name Morin appeared in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of Henry II, which documented financial transactions within the English royal court. One notable figure from this period was Robert Morin, a knight who participated in the Third Crusade (1189-1192) under the command of King Richard I.

During the 13th century, the Morin family established themselves in the region of Normandy, France, where they owned several estates and properties. A prominent member of this family was Guillaume Morin, who served as a royal advisor to King Louis IX (Saint Louis) in the mid-13th century.

The 14th century saw the emergence of another notable Morin, Jean Morin, a French theologian and philosopher who was born in Blois in 1305. He was a renowned scholar at the University of Paris and authored several influential works on philosophy and theology.

In the 15th century, the name Morin was associated with a place name in Normandy, "Morin-les-Bourguignons," indicating that some branches of the family had established themselves in specific localities. During this period, a nobleman named Jacques Morin (1420-1496) served as a military commander under King Charles VII and played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War against England.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Morin has been carried by various individuals from different walks of life, including artists, writers, scientists, and military figures. One notable example is Jean-Baptiste Morin (1583-1656), a French astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of astrology and published works on celestial mechanics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Morin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Morin 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. Channel Islands leads with 33 Morins recorded in 1881 and an index of 106.73x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 33 106.73x
East Lothian 16 115.77x
Durham 12 3.87x
Lanarkshire 8 2.37x
Surrey 8 1.57x
Sussex 6 3.41x
Yorkshire 6 0.58x
Lancashire 5 0.40x
Middlesex 4 0.38x
Staffordshire 3 0.85x
Renfrewshire 2 2.47x
Cambridgeshire 1 1.51x
Devon 1 0.46x
Suffolk 1 0.79x
Warwickshire 1 0.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 20 Morins recorded in 1881 and an index of 198.61x.

Place Total Index
St Helier 20 198.61x
Dirleton 16 2962.96x
Esh 12 530.97x
Barony 6 7.02x
Preston 6 195.44x
Penge 4 59.97x
St Peter Port 4 69.93x
Battersea 3 7.81x
Dewsbury 3 28.28x
Newcastle Under Lyme 3 48.15x
St Lawrence 3 357.14x
St Andrew Holborn 2 56.50x
St Owen 2 246.91x
St Peter 2 224.72x
Trinity 2 277.78x
Upholland 2 125.79x
Camberwell 1 1.50x
Doncaster 1 13.25x
East Stonehouse 1 23.36x
Eccleston In Prescot 1 16.08x
Govan 1 1.20x
Ipswich St Mathew 1 28.09x
Kensington London 1 1.72x
Leamington 1 57.47x
Leeds 1 1.71x
Lochwinnoch 1 82.64x
Sawston 1 156.25x
Shettleston 1 33.11x
Spotland 1 7.26x
St George In East 1 14.08x
Toxteth Park 1 2.38x
West Greenock 1 6.89x
York St Margaret 1 156.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Maria 5
Marie 3
Mary 3
Agnes 2
Marguerite 2
Rosalie 2
Agarthe 1
Amy 1
Anna 1
Antoinette 1
Bridget 1
Clare 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Jane 1
Janet 1
Jeanne 1
Louise 1
Maida 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Mathilda 1
Rachel 1
Rose 1
Violet 1
Wineford 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Louis 5
James 4
Henry 3
John 3
William 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Alexander 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
E. 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Etienne 1
Francis 1
Fras. 1
Gabriel 1
Leon 1
Marie 1
Marin 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Thomas 1
Timothy 1
Victor 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Morin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Morin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Morin surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Morin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016. That gives Morin a modern rank of #15,062.

What does the Morin surname mean?

A French topographic surname for someone living near a small hill, derived from the Old French "morin" meaning "small hill."

What does the Morin map show?

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