NameCensus.

UK surname

Oregan

A surname derived from the place name Oregon.

In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Oregan surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,536, ranked #4,028, up from #24,992 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Hackney and Tameside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oregan is 1,558 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2418.0%.

1881 census count

61

Ranked #24,992

Modern count

1,536

2016, ranked #4,028

Peak year

2014

1,558 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Oregan had 61 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,992 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,536 in 2016, ranked #4,028.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 156 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Oregan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oregan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Oregan 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 21 #29,550
1861 historical 32 #29,944
1881 historical 61 #24,992
1891 historical 72 #27,804
1901 historical 84 #24,759
1911 historical 156 #17,421
1997 modern 1,493 #3,920
1998 modern 1,538 #3,966
1999 modern 1,537 #3,996
2000 modern 1,521 #4,015
2001 modern 1,474 #4,050
2002 modern 1,518 #4,029
2003 modern 1,462 #4,083
2004 modern 1,445 #4,122
2005 modern 1,475 #4,019
2006 modern 1,428 #4,131
2007 modern 1,446 #4,124
2008 modern 1,432 #4,186
2009 modern 1,514 #4,084
2010 modern 1,528 #4,138
2011 modern 1,528 #4,089
2012 modern 1,520 #4,032
2013 modern 1,549 #4,029
2014 modern 1,558 #4,030
2015 modern 1,528 #4,069
2016 modern 1,536 #4,028

Geography

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Where Oregans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Gateshead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Birmingham, Hackney, Tameside, Lewisham and North Norfolk. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Gateshead Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Birmingham 029 Birmingham
2 Hackney 002 Hackney
3 Tameside 018 Tameside
4 Lewisham 038 Lewisham
5 North Norfolk 001 North Norfolk

Forenames

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First names often paired with Oregan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Oregan

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Oregan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Oregan 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

Oregan 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 Oregan 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Oregan

The surname Oregan is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English words "ora" and "gan," which together mean "the dweller by the shore or bank." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who lived near a body of water, such as a river or coastline.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Oregan can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land holdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Oregane" in this historical document.

During the Middle Ages, the name evolved into various spellings, including "Origan," "Orygon," and "Orygan." These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individual scribes who recorded the name.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name Oregan was Sir John Oregan, a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. He was born around 1320 and gained recognition for his bravery and military prowess on the battlefield.

Another prominent individual with the surname Oregan was William Oregan, a merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century. He was born in 1525 and is remembered for his contributions to the local economy and his involvement in civic affairs.

In the 17th century, the name Oregan was associated with several places in England, such as Oregan Hill in Gloucestershire and Oregan Farm in Wiltshire. These place names likely derived from the surname itself or vice versa, reflecting the historical connections between surnames and geographic locations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Oregan in the New World can be traced back to Robert Oregan, who was born in England in 1620 and later emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the mid-17th century.

Another notable figure with the surname Oregan was Thomas Oregan, a Welsh poet and writer who lived in the 18th century. He was born in 1735 and is remembered for his contributions to Welsh literature and his efforts in preserving the Welsh language and culture.

It's worth noting that while the surname Oregan has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to migration and the movement of people over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Oregan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oregan 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. Durham leads with 8 Oregans recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.11x.

County Total Index
Durham 8 8.11x
Pembrokeshire 8 75.90x
Middlesex 5 1.51x
Dorset 4 18.38x
Essex 4 6.11x
Lancashire 2 0.51x
Gloucestershire 1 1.54x
Herefordshire 1 7.35x
Surrey 1 0.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gateshead in Durham leads with 8 Oregans recorded in 1881 and an index of 108.25x.

Place Total Index
Gateshead 8 108.25x
Llanwnda 8 7272.73x
St Bartholomew Great 5 1666.67x
Cerne Abbas 4 3636.36x
West Ham 4 27.68x
Accrington 1 27.93x
Camberwell 1 4.72x
Clifton 1 30.40x
Salford 1 8.64x
Welsh Bicknor 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Johanna 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Ellen 1
Hannora 1
Helena 1
Isabella 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Nora 1

Top male names

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

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 Oregan households.

FAQ

Oregan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Oregan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Oregan surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Oregan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,536 in 2016. That gives Oregan a modern rank of #4,028.

What does the Oregan surname mean?

A surname derived from the place name Oregon.

What does the Oregan map show?

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