NameCensus.

UK surname

Qin

A Chinese surname derived from the name of the Qin state or referring to the Qin dynasty.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brighton and Hove, Kingston upon Thames and Tower Hamlets.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Qin is 146 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

146

2016, ranked #24,173

Peak year

2016

146 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016, ranked #24,173.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Student Living and Professional Footholds.

Qin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Qin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Qin 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
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 10 #37,060
1998 modern 14 #36,565
1999 modern 14 #36,595
2000 modern 14 #36,522
2001 modern 14 #36,372
2002 modern 24 #35,520
2003 modern 35 #34,609
2004 modern 34 #34,868
2005 modern 49 #33,859
2006 modern 53 #33,854
2007 modern 67 #32,871
2008 modern 71 #32,753
2009 modern 92 #30,820
2010 modern 112 #28,336
2011 modern 104 #29,424
2012 modern 119 #27,100
2013 modern 132 #25,789
2014 modern 137 #25,345
2015 modern 139 #24,956
2016 modern 146 #24,173

Geography

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Where Qins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Brighton and Hove, Kingston upon Thames, Tower Hamlets, Westminster and Lewisham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Brighton and Hove 020 Brighton and Hove
2 Kingston upon Thames 002 Kingston upon Thames
3 Tower Hamlets 021 Tower Hamlets
4 Westminster 016 Westminster
5 Lewisham 001 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Qin

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Qin

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

Student Living and Professional Footholds

Nationally, the Qin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Student Living and Professional Footholds, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Qin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

The Group includes many students, some of whom reside in communal residences. Single-person households are the most prevalent and the modal age band is 25 to 44. There are few families with dependent children. A significant number of White residents were born in EU countries (although UK-born residents are more common than in the rest of the Group), and households reflect a diversity of ethnic groups. Residential turnover is exceptionally high and, communal properties aside, flats are the norm. Some properties, including those in the private rental sector, are over-crowded. Many residents are professionals and technicians educated to degree level, and the Group is particularly common near the campuses of established university towns and cities.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Qin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Qin 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

Qin 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 Qin 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Qin

The surname "QIN" originates from China and has a long and rich history dating back to the Qin Dynasty, which ruled from 221 BC to 206 BC. This was one of the most influential dynasties in Chinese history, known for its significant achievements, including the unification of China and the construction of the Great Wall.

The name "QIN" is derived from the state of Qin, which was located in the western part of modern-day Shaanxi Province. During the Warring States Period (475 BC - 221 BC), the Qin state gradually gained control over other kingdoms and eventually emerged victorious, establishing the Qin Dynasty under the leadership of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of a unified China.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "QIN" can be found in historical records from the Qin Dynasty itself. Many nobles and officials during this period bore the surname, indicating its prominence and association with the ruling class.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the surname "QIN." One such figure was Qin Hui (1090-1155), a renowned Confucian scholar and philosopher during the Song Dynasty. His works significantly influenced the development of Neo-Confucianism and had a lasting impact on Chinese intellectual thought.

Another prominent figure was Qin Jiushao (1202-1261), a mathematician and astronomer of the Song Dynasty. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the areas of geometry and algebraic equations.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Qin Qiong (1572-1642) was a renowned playwright and literary scholar. His works, such as "The Peony Pavilion," are considered masterpieces of Chinese drama and have greatly influenced the development of Chinese literature.

In more recent times, Qin Xuantong (1887-1939) was a prominent military leader and warlord during the Warlord Era of China in the early 20th century. He played a significant role in the political and military affairs of the country during that turbulent period.

Qin Gang (born 1966) is a contemporary Chinese diplomat who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2022. He has been an influential figure in China's foreign policy and diplomatic relations with other nations.

The surname "QIN" has its roots in the ancient state and dynasty of the same name, reflecting the historical significance and cultural legacy of this influential period in Chinese history. Over the centuries, individuals bearing this surname have made notable contributions across various fields, leaving an indelible mark on the rich tapestry of Chinese civilization.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Qin surname: questions and answers

How common is the Qin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016. That gives Qin a modern rank of #24,173.

What does the Qin surname mean?

A Chinese surname derived from the name of the Qin state or referring to the Qin dynasty.

What does the Qin map show?

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