NameCensus.

UK surname

Shan

A Chinese surname meaning "mountain" or "hill," or referring to someone who lived near or on a mountain.

In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Shan surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 643, ranked #8,243, up from #26,281 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Yardley, St Pancras and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shan is 643 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1136.5%.

1881 census count

52

Ranked #26,281

Modern count

643

2016, ranked #8,243

Peak year

2016

643 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Shan had 52 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,281 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 643 in 2016, ranked #8,243.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 578 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Shan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shan 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 220 #9,671
1861 historical 478 #5,458
1881 historical 52 #26,281
1891 historical 578 #6,594
1901 historical 131 #19,552
1911 historical 52 #27,620
1997 modern 400 #11,013
1998 modern 426 #10,843
1999 modern 433 #10,807
2000 modern 427 #10,867
2001 modern 378 #11,705
2002 modern 424 #10,950
2003 modern 457 #10,156
2004 modern 453 #10,251
2005 modern 478 #9,754
2006 modern 485 #9,691
2007 modern 518 #9,316
2008 modern 543 #9,060
2009 modern 595 #8,649
2010 modern 618 #8,587
2011 modern 606 #8,623
2012 modern 597 #8,640
2013 modern 612 #8,609
2014 modern 623 #8,555
2015 modern 629 #8,406
2016 modern 643 #8,243

Geography

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Where Shans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Yardley, St Pancras, Manchester, Liverpool and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Yardley Warwickshire
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Middlesbrough 001 Middlesbrough
2 Birmingham 082 Birmingham
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 022 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Middlesbrough 009 Middlesbrough
5 Birmingham 076 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shan

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Shan 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

Shan 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

Shan 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 Shan 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Shan

The surname SHAN is believed to have originated in China and has its roots in the Chinese language. It is a relatively common surname in various parts of China, particularly in the southern regions.

The name SHAN is derived from the Chinese word "shan," which means "mountain" or "hill." It is thought that the surname may have been given to people who lived in or near mountainous areas or were associated with activities related to mountains, such as mining or forestry.

Historical records indicate that the surname SHAN can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), when it was first recorded in official documents. During this period, China experienced a significant population growth, leading to the establishment of many new surnames, including SHAN.

In ancient Chinese texts and manuscripts, such as the "Bai Jing" (a collection of genealogical records from the Song Dynasty), there are references to prominent individuals bearing the surname SHAN. One notable example is Shan Tao (735-806 AD), a renowned Buddhist monk and calligrapher who lived during the Tang Dynasty.

Another historical figure with the surname SHAN is Shan Gu (996-1041 AD), a renowned scholar and poet from the Song Dynasty. His works, which include poetry and essays, have been widely studied and celebrated throughout Chinese literary history.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the SHAN surname was particularly prevalent in the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian. One notable individual from this period was Shan Xing (1608-1680), a military strategist and general who played a crucial role in the defense of coastal regions against invaders.

In more recent history, Shan Shui (1909-1988) was a famous Chinese landscape painter known for his skillful depictions of mountains and rivers. His works are celebrated for their mastery of traditional Chinese painting techniques and their ability to capture the essence of nature.

Throughout its long history, the surname SHAN has been associated with various professions, from scholars and artists to military leaders and government officials. Its connection to the concept of mountains and hills has given it a symbolic significance in Chinese culture, representing strength, resilience, and a deep connection to nature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Shan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shan 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. Middlesex leads with 22 Shans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 22 4.42x
Yorkshire 8 1.62x
Staffordshire 7 4.17x
Renfrewshire 4 10.38x
Buckinghamshire 2 6.65x
Royal Navy 2 33.73x
Cheshire 1 0.91x
Kent 1 0.59x
Lancashire 1 0.17x
Morayshire 1 12.94x
Surrey 1 0.41x
Warwickshire 1 0.80x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Bromwich in Staffordshire leads with 7 Shans recorded in 1881 and an index of 72.84x.

Place Total Index
West Bromwich 7 72.84x
Holy Trinity 6 50.63x
Islington London 6 12.45x
Enfield 5 153.37x
Abbey 4 68.03x
St Pancras London 4 10.00x
Bromley London 3 27.42x
St George In East 3 88.76x
Aylesbury 2 150.38x
Leeds 2 7.19x
Royal Navy 2 39.53x
Aston 1 2.90x
Birkenhead 1 11.43x
Kirkdale 1 10.07x
Lambeth 1 2.31x
Rothes 1 263.16x
Stoke 1 1000.00x
Westminster St James 1 19.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Eleanor 2
Lydia 2
Sarah 2
Ada 1
Caroline 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Jenny 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Mary 1
Matilda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 3
Ben 2
George 2
Grove 2
Walter 2
Arthur 1
Ernest 1
Hy. 1
Isaac 1
James 1
P. 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Saml. 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 Shan households.

FAQ

Shan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Shan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Shan surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Shan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 643 in 2016. That gives Shan a modern rank of #8,243.

What does the Shan surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "mountain" or "hill," or referring to someone who lived near or on a mountain.

What does the Shan map show?

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