NameCensus.

UK surname

Nowlan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Nuallán" meaning "renowned" or "famous one."

In the 1881 census there were 209 people recorded with the Nowlan surname, ranking it #12,475 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 179, ranked #21,086, down from #12,475 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and St Leonard Bromley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Northamptonshire, Plymouth and Stockport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nowlan is 446 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 14.4%.

1881 census count

209

Ranked #12,475

Modern count

179

2016, ranked #21,086

Peak year

1851

446 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nowlan had 209 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,475 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016, ranked #21,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 446 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Multicultural Inner Suburbs.

Nowlan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nowlan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nowlan 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 446 #5,521
1861 historical 340 #7,497
1881 historical 209 #12,475
1891 historical 169 #16,885
1901 historical 198 #15,213
1911 historical 182 #15,859
1997 modern 150 #21,119
1998 modern 168 #20,181
1999 modern 167 #20,374
2000 modern 165 #20,501
2001 modern 165 #20,199
2002 modern 158 #21,178
2003 modern 157 #21,026
2004 modern 157 #21,168
2005 modern 153 #21,490
2006 modern 161 #20,972
2007 modern 160 #21,296
2008 modern 153 #22,132
2009 modern 159 #22,072
2010 modern 167 #21,835
2011 modern 171 #21,337
2012 modern 168 #21,516
2013 modern 176 #21,237
2014 modern 177 #21,340
2015 modern 177 #21,220
2016 modern 179 #21,086

Geography

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Where Nowlans are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to East Northamptonshire, Plymouth and Stockport. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
4 All Saints Poplar London (East Districts)
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Northamptonshire 002 East Northamptonshire
2 Plymouth 026 Plymouth
3 Stockport 010 Stockport
4 Plymouth 021 Plymouth
5 Plymouth 030 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nowlan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nowlan

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

Baseline UK

Group

Multicultural Inner Suburbs

Nationally, the Nowlan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Multicultural Inner Suburbs, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Nowlan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house many younger and middle-aged adults with children. All ethnic minorities, apart from those identifying as Pakistani or Bangladeshi, appear to be present in above average proportions. Affiliation to Christian religions is uncommon. Long-term disability rates are low, mirrored in limited provision of unpaid care. Privately rented terrace houses and flats are the norm. Managerial, professional and technical occupations are prevalent, and work is rarely part time. Many individuals have degree level qualifications. These areas form the inner suburbs of many of the UK’s towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Nowlan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Nowlan 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

Nowlan 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 Nowlan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Nowlan

The surname Nowlan originated in Ireland, with its roots tracing back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Irish Gaelic word "nuall," meaning "roar" or "loud sound." This connection suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone with a booming voice or a notable talent for storytelling or oration.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention a prominent individual named Tadhg O'Nowlan, who lived in the 14th century and was a member of the bardic class, known for their skills in poetry and storytelling.

In the 16th century, the surname Nowlan was particularly prevalent in County Laois, located in the Irish Midlands. Historical records from this time period indicate that the Nowlans were a prominent family in the region, with several members holding positions of influence within the local community.

The name Nowlan has also been subject to various spelling variations throughout history, including Nowlan, Nolan, Noland, and Nowland. These variations likely emerged due to regional dialects, linguistic shifts, and the inconsistencies in record-keeping practices of the time.

One notable figure bearing the Nowlan surname was John Nowlan (1819-1890), an Irish-born Canadian politician and lawyer. He served as the fifth Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1868 to 1873 and played a significant role in the early political landscape of Canada.

Another prominent individual was Alden Nowlan (1933-1983), a renowned Canadian poet and novelist from Nova Scotia. His works, which often explored themes of rural life and the human condition, earned him widespread acclaim and numerous literary accolades, including the Governor General's Award for Poetry in 1967.

In the realm of sports, Christopher Nowlan (born 1981) is a former professional rugby union player who represented Ireland at the international level. He played as a prop and was part of the Irish squad that competed in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The name Nowlan has also been associated with several place names throughout Ireland. For instance, Nowlan Park in Kilkenny is a renowned hurling stadium named after James Nowlan, a prominent local figure who played a significant role in the development of the sport in the region.

Lastly, Kevin Nowlan (born 1958) is an American comic book artist and writer known for his work on various iconic characters, including Batman, Superman, and the X-Men. His contributions to the comic book industry have garnered him critical acclaim and a devoted following among fans.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nowlan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nowlan 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 50 Nowlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.45x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 50 2.45x
Lancashire 48 1.98x
Surrey 32 3.22x
Yorkshire 21 1.04x
Devon 14 3.30x
Cheshire 11 2.44x
Essex 7 1.74x
Pembrokeshire 5 7.72x
Midlothian 4 1.46x
Cumberland 3 1.71x
Dorset 3 2.24x
Hampshire 2 0.48x
Kent 2 0.29x
Northumberland 2 0.66x
Staffordshire 2 0.29x
Berkshire 1 0.65x
Cornwall 1 0.43x
Sussex 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Poplar London in Middlesex leads with 14 Nowlans recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.39x.

Place Total Index
Poplar London 14 36.39x
Plymouth St Andrew 13 39.77x
Bromley London 9 20.07x
Ratcliffe London 8 71.05x
Walton On Hill 8 61.07x
Bermondsey 7 11.53x
Chelsea London 7 11.40x
Chorlton On Medlock 7 18.21x
Holy Trinity 7 14.41x
Monks Coppenhall 7 41.23x
Crompton 6 87.08x
Little Bolton 6 19.29x
Liverpool 6 4.08x
Rotherhithe 6 23.82x
Cheam 5 471.70x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 12.19x
West Ham 5 5.63x
Leeds 4 3.51x
Southwark St Olave 4 256.41x
Arlecdon 3 64.24x
Clerkenwell London 3 6.23x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 2.73x
Pembroke St Mary 3 35.97x
Portland 3 41.72x
Bilston 2 14.99x
Camberwell 2 1.54x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 4.87x
Haydock 2 47.96x
Hinderwell 2 116.28x
Hubberston 2 210.53x
Islington London 2 1.01x
Kimberworth 2 17.84x
Newington 2 2.66x
Newton 2 10.73x
Oldham 2 2.56x
Preston 2 3.09x
Scarborough 2 10.89x
Sculcoates 2 6.24x
South Shoebury 2 123.46x
St George Hanover 2 7.52x
Woolwich 2 7.78x
Acton 1 8.37x
Alverstoke 1 6.61x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 1.89x
Barrow In Furness 1 3.04x
Berwick Upon Tweed 1 15.55x
Burnley 1 4.91x
Cheadle 1 11.64x
Chester Castle 1 416.67x
Dukinfield 1 4.81x
Egham 1 16.39x
Farnworth 1 6.90x
Fazakerley 1 263.16x
Hove 1 6.63x
Mawgan In Pyder 1 204.08x
Mile End Old Town 1 3.11x
Salford 1 1.41x
South Leith 1 3.25x
St George In East 1 7.21x
St Marylebone London 1 0.92x
Stoke 1 58.14x
Stoke Newington London 1 6.30x
Tilehurst 1 32.36x
Timperley 1 64.10x
Tynemouth 1 6.16x
Wigan 1 2.96x
Yarmouth 1 181.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 13
James 10
William 9
Henry 5
Thomas 5
Charles 4
Patrick 4
Edward 2
Luke 2
Martin 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Alozsius 1
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Harry 1
Jeremiah 1
Joseph 1
Malick 1
Octavous 1
Patric 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Wm. 1
Wm.Robt. 1

FAQ

Nowlan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nowlan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 209 people were recorded with the Nowlan surname. That placed it at #12,475 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nowlan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016. That gives Nowlan a modern rank of #21,086.

What does the Nowlan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Nuallán" meaning "renowned" or "famous one."

What does the Nowlan map show?

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