NameCensus.

UK surname

Reddan

Irish surname potentially derived from the Gaelic word "reidh" meaning level or plain.

In the 1881 census there were 63 people recorded with the Reddan surname, ranking it #24,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 122, ranked #27,255, down from #24,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, West Devon and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reddan is 124 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 93.7%.

1881 census count

63

Ranked #24,711

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2010

124 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Reddan had 63 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 96 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Reddan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Reddan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Reddan 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 35 #27,037
1861 historical 65 #25,618
1881 historical 63 #24,711
1891 historical 96 #24,559
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 57 #27,099
1997 modern 111 #25,394
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 104 #27,164
2000 modern 101 #27,555
2001 modern 99 #27,534
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 97 #28,217
2004 modern 99 #28,136
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 104 #28,020
2008 modern 109 #27,533
2009 modern 113 #27,520
2010 modern 124 #26,582
2011 modern 119 #27,063
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 115 #28,176
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

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Where Reddans 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 Forest of Dean, West Devon, Birmingham, Kettering and Wellingborough. 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 Forest of Dean 007 Forest of Dean
2 West Devon 001 West Devon
3 Birmingham 025 Birmingham
4 Kettering 010 Kettering
5 Wellingborough 004 Wellingborough

Forenames

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First names often paired with Reddan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Reddan

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Reddan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Reddan 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 are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Reddan is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Reddan 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

Reddan 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 Reddan 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 Reddan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Reddan

The surname Reddan is of Irish origin and is believed to have its roots in the Gaelic language. It is thought to be derived from the word "riabhach," which means "grizzled" or "brindled," referring to someone with streaks of gray or brown hair.

The earliest known record of the name Reddan dates back to the 16th century, where it was found in the Irish Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the counties of Cork and Kerry, located in the southern part of Ireland.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Reddan can be found in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, a collection of royal letters and official documents from the 16th and 17th centuries. In these records, a certain John Reddan is mentioned as a landowner in County Cork during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the name Reddan was associated with several prominent figures in Irish history. Patrick Reddan (1631-1693) was a Catholic priest and author who wrote extensively on religious subjects. His work, "A Treatise on the Sacraments," was widely read and influential in his time.

Another notable figure was Dermot Reddan (1675-1744), a member of the Irish Parliament and a staunch supporter of the Jacobite cause. He was involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and played a role in the resistance against the English forces.

In the 19th century, the Reddan family continued to be well-established in Ireland. One of the most famous individuals with this surname was John Reddan (1825-1892), a prominent Irish nationalist and Member of Parliament for the city of Waterford. He was a vocal advocate for Irish Home Rule and played a significant role in the Irish political landscape of his time.

Other notable individuals with the surname Reddan include Michael Reddan (1860-1932), a Catholic priest and educator who served as the president of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, and James Reddan (1890-1967), an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for the Cork senior team in the early 20th century.

While the Reddan name has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through Irish emigration. The name can now be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Reddan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reddan 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 16 Reddans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.19x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 16 2.19x
Middlesex 13 2.12x
Warwickshire 6 3.87x
Berwickshire 5 67.20x
Surrey 5 1.67x
Cambridgeshire 4 10.28x
Kent 4 1.91x
Nottinghamshire 3 3.62x
Lincolnshire 2 2.04x
Yorkshire 2 0.33x
Berkshire 1 2.17x
Durham 1 0.55x
Lanarkshire 1 0.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hawkshead Monk Coniston in Lancashire leads with 7 Reddans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2800.00x.

Place Total Index
Hawkshead Monk Coniston 7 2800.00x
Birmingham 6 11.62x
St Pancras London 6 12.13x
Coldstream 5 925.93x
Kensington London 4 11.71x
Lambeth 4 7.47x
Woolwich 4 51.68x
Manchester 3 9.15x
Mansfield 3 104.53x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 2 35.27x
Donington 2 571.43x
Hulme 2 13.14x
West Derby 2 9.38x
Wisbech St Mary 2 444.44x
Aughton 1 138.89x
Bishopwearmouth 1 6.37x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 8.64x
Glasgow 1 2.83x
Hammersmith London 1 6.61x
Islington London 1 1.68x
Reading St Giles 1 22.12x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 8.09x
St Andrewthe Less 1 22.47x
St George In East 1 23.92x
Wisbech St Peter 1 51.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Annie 3
Fanny 3
Margaret 3
Mary 3
Ann 2
Minnie 2
Ada 1
Bridget 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Julia 1
Mabel 1
Martha 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Reddan 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 Reddan households.

FAQ

Reddan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Reddan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 63 people were recorded with the Reddan surname. That placed it at #24,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Reddan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Reddan a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Reddan surname mean?

Irish surname potentially derived from the Gaelic word "reidh" meaning level or plain.

What does the Reddan map show?

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