NameCensus.

UK surname

Rogan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Ruadhagáin, meaning "descendant of the red-haired one."

In the 1881 census there were 783 people recorded with the Rogan surname, ranking it #4,743 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,891, ranked #3,364, up from #4,743 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Bees, Govan Combination and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham and Copeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rogan is 1,944 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 141.5%.

1881 census count

783

Ranked #4,743

Modern count

1,891

2016, ranked #3,364

Peak year

2010

1,944 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rogan had 783 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,743 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,891 in 2016, ranked #3,364.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,004 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Rogan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rogan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rogan 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 433 #5,664
1861 historical 691 #3,904
1881 historical 783 #4,743
1891 historical 882 #4,672
1901 historical 1,004 #4,748
1911 historical 832 #5,305
1997 modern 1,785 #3,361
1998 modern 1,800 #3,445
1999 modern 1,824 #3,433
2000 modern 1,808 #3,446
2001 modern 1,749 #3,478
2002 modern 1,751 #3,559
2003 modern 1,728 #3,529
2004 modern 1,734 #3,512
2005 modern 1,730 #3,489
2006 modern 1,747 #3,467
2007 modern 1,777 #3,450
2008 modern 1,802 #3,429
2009 modern 1,866 #3,403
2010 modern 1,944 #3,349
2011 modern 1,888 #3,400
2012 modern 1,837 #3,426
2013 modern 1,891 #3,394
2014 modern 1,895 #3,401
2015 modern 1,875 #3,402
2016 modern 1,891 #3,364

Geography

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Where Rogans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Bees, Govan Combination, Gateshead, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham and Copeland. 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 St Bees Cumberland
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 010 County Durham
2 Copeland 003 Copeland
3 Copeland 002 Copeland
4 Copeland 008 Copeland
5 Copeland 005 Copeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rogan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rogan

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Rogan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Rogan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rogan 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

Rogan is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rogan 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 Rogan 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
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Rogan

The surname Rogan is believed to have originated in Ireland, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "rogán," which means "a choice one" or "a famous person." The name is also connected to the Irish word "rógán," meaning "a proud walker."

The earliest known reference to the Rogan name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the year 1181, a person named Gilla-Pátraic Ua Rogáin is mentioned, suggesting that the name was already in use during that time.

Historically, the Rogan family is believed to have originated in County Cavan, located in the northern part of Ireland. The name was particularly prominent in the Barony of Tullyhaw, where several Rogan families were landowners and influential members of the local community.

One notable individual bearing the Rogan surname was Sir James Rogan (c. 1590-1660), an Irish military commander who served in the English Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War. He was a staunch Parliamentarian and played a significant role in the siege of Drogheda in 1649.

Another prominent figure was John Rogan (1750-1823), an Irish Catholic priest and educator who founded several schools in County Cavan. He was instrumental in promoting education and literacy in the region during a time when Catholic education was suppressed.

In the late 18th century, a branch of the Rogan family relocated to County Antrim, where they became landowners and established themselves as a prominent family in the area. One member of this branch was William Rogan (1775-1848), a successful merchant and landowner who served as High Sheriff of County Antrim in 1824.

The Rogan name has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Rogan's Town in County Cavan and Rogan's Hill in County Antrim. These place names further demonstrate the historical presence and influence of the Rogan family in different parts of the country.

Other notable individuals with the surname Rogan include John Rogan (1868-1950), an Irish politician and member of the UK Parliament; Mary Rogan (1885-1976), an Irish poet and writer; and Eileen Rogan (1902-1982), an Irish actress who appeared in several Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rogan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rogan 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 163 Rogans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.79x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 163 1.79x
Cumberland 143 21.61x
Lanarkshire 124 4.99x
Durham 100 4.37x
Yorkshire 61 0.80x
Northumberland 42 3.67x
Midlothian 25 2.43x
Cheshire 22 1.30x
Dumfriesshire 12 7.07x
Middlesex 12 0.16x
Clackmannanshire 7 11.03x
Hampshire 7 0.44x
Gloucestershire 6 0.40x
Kent 6 0.23x
Ayrshire 5 0.87x
Essex 5 0.33x
Devon 4 0.25x
East Lothian 4 3.93x
Kinross-shire 4 20.59x
Renfrewshire 4 0.67x
Sussex 4 0.31x
West Lothian 4 3.46x
Cornwall 3 0.34x
Isle of Man 3 2.10x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.29x
Stirlingshire 3 1.06x
Warwickshire 3 0.15x
Fife 2 0.44x
Channel Islands 1 0.44x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.48x
Kincardineshire 1 1.07x
Lincolnshire 1 0.08x
Northamptonshire 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 1.09x
Shropshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 42 Rogans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.83x.

Place Total Index
Govan 42 6.83x
Barony 41 6.52x
Liverpool 37 6.68x
Cleator 28 101.63x
Toxteth Park 25 8.09x
Kirkdale 23 14.99x
Whitehaven 23 65.21x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 20 20.19x
Preston Quarter 20 107.87x
Aspatria 17 267.30x
Everton 17 5.85x
Birkenhead 16 11.83x
Glasgow 16 3.62x
Workington 14 36.95x
Heworth 13 28.85x
Conside Knitsley 12 67.49x
Millom 12 59.17x
Old Monkland 12 12.16x
Wavertree 12 41.10x
Hexham 10 56.50x
Ryton 10 124.38x
Sunderland 10 24.76x
Habergham Eaves 9 10.80x
Houghton Le Spring 8 50.60x
Hunslet 8 6.74x
Leeds 8 1.86x
Hayton Mealo 7 897.44x
Alloa 6 19.49x
Ardwick 6 7.29x
Bradford 6 3.25x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 1.45x
Elswick 6 6.57x
Hartlepool 6 18.46x
Manchester 6 1.46x
Edinburgh Old 5 80.00x
Gillingham 5 9.25x
Hensingham 5 92.42x
Heptonstall 5 46.77x
Leighton In Neston 5 735.29x
Linthorpe 5 11.00x
Longbenton 5 10.32x
North Shields 5 21.91x
Sutton 5 57.60x
Twickenham 5 15.17x
Tynemouth 5 8.16x
West Derby 5 1.87x
York Holy Trinity Kings 5 318.47x
Barrow In Furness 4 3.22x
Collierley 4 39.25x
Crosscanonby 4 18.27x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 2.58x
Ellenborough Ewanrigg 4 87.15x
Eskdalemuir 4 273.97x
Fossoway 4 119.76x
Holy Trinity 4 2.18x
Kingston By Sea 4 194.17x
Kirkliston 4 59.26x
Otley 4 21.63x
South Leith 4 3.45x
Spotland 4 3.94x
Tinwald 4 176.21x
Tranent 4 29.07x
Abbey 3 3.30x
Birmingham 3 0.46x
Cadder 3 16.34x
East Stonehouse 3 9.52x
Edinburgh New North 3 33.48x
Egremont 3 19.01x
Falkirk 3 4.52x
Gloucester St Mary Lode 3 84.99x
Hamilton 3 4.33x
Kilmarnock 3 4.38x
Lamplugh 3 90.36x
Newark Upon Trent 3 8.06x
Newcastle On Tyne St 3 5.06x
Preston 3 1.23x
Salford 3 1.12x
Shettleston 3 13.48x
Wallsend 3 8.27x
West Ham 3 0.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 57
Catherine 22
Margaret 22
Ann 18
Elizabeth 13
Ellen 13
Bridget 12
Annie 9
Jane 9
Alice 6
Isabella 6
Anne 4
Eliza 4
Frances 4
Agnes 3
Elizth. 3
Emma 3
Kate 3
Martha 3
Rose 3
Catharine 2
Cathrine 2
Cecilia 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Margret 2
Sarah 2
Susannah 2
Anna 1
Elizebth 1
Elizh. 1
Georgeana 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Johanna 1
Julia 1
Katy 1
Lavinia 1
Letitia 1
Lydia 1
M. 1
Maggie 1
Margarett 1
Margat 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Matilda 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 59
James 39
Patrick 29
Thomas 24
William 22
Michael 18
Edward 17
Charles 12
Hugh 11
Daniel 10
Peter 8
Bernard 7
Joseph 6
Robert 5
Francis 4
George 4
Alfred 3
Dominic 3
Felix 3
Luke 3
Edwin 2
Henry 2
Jno. 2
Martin 2
Matthew 2
Thos. 2
Alex 1
Alice 1
Andrew 1
Aron 1
Arthur 1
Bartholomew 1
Batty 1
Benjamin 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Connel 1
David 1
Emmanuel 1
Frank 1
Jame 1
Laurance 1
Ough 1
Peirce 1
Samuel 1
Willm. 1
Willm.M. 1

FAQ

Rogan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rogan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 783 people were recorded with the Rogan surname. That placed it at #4,743 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rogan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,891 in 2016. That gives Rogan a modern rank of #3,364.

What does the Rogan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Ruadhagáin, meaning "descendant of the red-haired one."

What does the Rogan map show?

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