NameCensus.

UK surname

Quaid

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word "cuaite" meaning a herd.

In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Quaid surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 131, ranked #26,004, up from #30,609 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Corby, Birmingham and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Quaid is 157 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 523.8%.

1881 census count

21

Ranked #30,609

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2010

157 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Quaid had 21 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,609 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 35 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Quaid surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Quaid surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Quaid 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 21 #31,242
1881 historical 21 #30,609
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 22 #31,562
1911 historical 35 #29,478
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 112 #25,856
1999 modern 116 #25,487
2000 modern 126 #24,220
2001 modern 120 #24,615
2002 modern 120 #25,110
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 115 #25,740
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 114 #26,120
2007 modern 126 #24,860
2008 modern 131 #24,583
2009 modern 140 #24,033
2010 modern 157 #22,800
2011 modern 147 #23,627
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 132 #25,971
2015 modern 132 #25,859
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Quaids 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 Corby, Birmingham, Islington, Kingston upon Hull and South Tyneside. 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 Corby 004 Corby
2 Birmingham 115 Birmingham
3 Islington 002 Islington
4 Kingston upon Hull 030 Kingston upon Hull, City of
5 South Tyneside 002 South Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Quaid

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Quaid

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Quaid surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Quaid 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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, Quaid 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

Quaid 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

Quaid falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Quaid is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Quaid

The surname Quaid is believed to have originated in Ireland, with roots that can be traced back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "cuaidh," which means "to go" or "to walk." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who traveled frequently or was known for their wanderlust.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Quaid can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled by Franciscan monks in the 17th century. The Annals mention a "Quaid Ó Cearbhallán," who was a prominent figure in County Tyrone during the late 16th century.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Quaid began to spread beyond Ireland, particularly to Scotland and England. This was likely due to the migration of Irish families seeking better opportunities or fleeing the political and religious turmoil of the time.

One notable individual with the surname Quaid was Reverend Roger Quaid, a Presbyterian minister who lived in County Antrim, Ireland, in the late 18th century. He was known for his influential sermons and his efforts to promote education in the region.

In the early 19th century, a branch of the Quaid family settled in the Scottish Highlands, where they became prominent landowners and involved in the local community. One member of this family, John Quaid, born in 1812, was a respected magistrate and served as the sheriff of Inverness-shire.

Another prominent bearer of the Quaid name was James Quaid, an Irish-born journalist and political activist who lived in the late 19th century. He was a vocal advocate for Irish independence and played a significant role in the Irish nationalist movement.

As the Quaid family continued to spread across the British Isles and beyond, the name underwent various spelling variations, including Quade, Quayde, and Quayd. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individual families.

Overall, the surname Quaid has a rich history that spans centuries and reflects the migration and experiences of Irish and Scottish families. Its origins can be traced back to the Irish Gaelic language, and it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including clergy, landowners, and political activists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Quaid families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Quaid 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. Surrey leads with 9 Quaids recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.02x.

County Total Index
Surrey 9 9.02x
Yorkshire 7 3.45x
Hampshire 2 4.76x
Ayrshire 1 6.52x
Dorset 1 7.44x
Lancashire 1 0.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 9 Quaids recorded in 1881 and an index of 147.54x.

Place Total Index
Bermondsey 9 147.54x
Beverley Parks 7 35000.00x
Galston 1 238.10x
Hound 1 357.14x
Kirkdale 1 24.45x
Portland 1 138.89x
Portsmouth 1 103.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 2
Mary 2
Ann 1
Bridget 1
Hanora 1
Margaret 1
Maryanne 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
David 2
James 2
Timothy 2
Charles 1
Frederick 1
John 1
Walton 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 Quaid households.

FAQ

Quaid surname: questions and answers

How common was the Quaid surname in 1881?

In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Quaid surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Quaid surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Quaid a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Quaid surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word "cuaite" meaning a herd.

What does the Quaid map show?

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