NameCensus.

UK surname

Quinlivan

An Irish surname derived from Ó Cuinlighín meaning descendant of the shapely or comely one.

In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Quinlivan surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 229, ranked #17,878, up from #30,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waveney, York and Medway.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Quinlivan is 246 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1045.0%.

1881 census count

20

Ranked #30,738

Modern count

229

2016, ranked #17,878

Peak year

2010

246 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Quinlivan had 20 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 229 in 2016, ranked #17,878.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 43 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Quinlivan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Quinlivan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Quinlivan 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 43 #28,562
1881 historical 20 #30,738
1891 historical 37 #31,398
1901 historical 31 #30,616
1911 historical 26 #30,547
1997 modern 220 #16,607
1998 modern 237 #16,272
1999 modern 236 #16,404
2000 modern 220 #17,138
2001 modern 220 #16,914
2002 modern 215 #17,487
2003 modern 215 #17,286
2004 modern 223 #16,965
2005 modern 228 #16,683
2006 modern 226 #16,891
2007 modern 235 #16,668
2008 modern 233 #16,885
2009 modern 240 #16,896
2010 modern 246 #16,975
2011 modern 237 #17,235
2012 modern 224 #17,786
2013 modern 229 #17,816
2014 modern 234 #17,662
2015 modern 232 #17,689
2016 modern 229 #17,878

Geography

Back to top

Where Quinlivans 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 Waveney, York, Medway, Kettering and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 Waveney 012 Waveney
2 York 002 York
3 Medway 029 Medway
4 Kettering 011 Kettering
5 Rhondda Cynon Taf 015 Rhondda Cynon Taf

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Quinlivan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Quinlivan

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Quinlivan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Quinlivan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Quinlivan is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Quinlivan 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

Quinlivan falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Quinlivan 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 Quinlivan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Quinlivan

The surname Quinlivan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name Cuindlídhan, which means "descendant of the brown one." This name originated in County Clare, Ireland, during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history. The name appears in entries dating back to the 13th century, indicating its long-standing presence in the region.

In the 16th century, the name was spelled in various ways, such as O'Quinlevan, O'Quinlivan, and O'Quinnilevan, reflecting the variations in the pronunciation and spelling of Irish names at that time.

One notable figure from history bearing this surname was Dermot Quinlivan, a Irish soldier who fought in the Irish Confederate Wars during the 17th century. He was a prominent commander in the Siege of Limerick in 1651.

Another significant individual was Patrick Quinlivan (1797-1878), an Irish-American businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Savannah, Georgia, in the mid-19th century. He played a crucial role in the city's development during his tenure.

In the late 18th century, the name appeared in the Aran Islands, off the coast of County Galway, where a branch of the Quinlivan family settled. One notable member of this branch was John Quinlivan (1810-1890), a renowned Irish storyteller and seanchaí (traditional bearer of oral history and lore).

The name Quinlivan is also associated with the historic town of Ennis in County Clare. The Quinlivan family held a prominent position in the town's history, with several members serving as local officials and landowners.

Another notable figure was Father Michael Quinlivan (1845-1922), a Catholic priest from County Clare who played a significant role in the Irish Land War of the late 19th century, advocating for tenant farmers' rights and land reform.

Over the centuries, the Quinlivan name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including farmers, tradesmen, soldiers, and clergy, contributing to the rich tapestry of Irish history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Quinlivan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Quinlivan 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. Lancashire leads with 8 Quinlivans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.84x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 8 3.84x
Middlesex 8 4.56x
Cambridgeshire 1 8.99x
Nottinghamshire 1 4.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Salford in Lancashire leads with 5 Quinlivans recorded in 1881 and an index of 81.57x.

Place Total Index
Salford 5 81.57x
St Marylebone London 4 42.69x
Shoreditch London 2 26.28x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 30.21x
Limehouse London 1 51.81x
Manchester 1 10.67x
Nottingham St Mary 1 16.34x
Preston 1 17.95x
Shadwell London 1 204.08x
St Andrewthe Less 1 78.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Bridget 2
Margaret 1
Margt. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
John 2
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Joseph 1
Patrick 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 Quinlivan households.

FAQ

Quinlivan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Quinlivan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Quinlivan surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Quinlivan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 229 in 2016. That gives Quinlivan a modern rank of #17,878.

What does the Quinlivan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from Ó Cuinlighín meaning descendant of the shapely or comely one.

What does the Quinlivan map show?

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