NameCensus.

UK surname

Solan

A surname of Scottish origin referring to someone from the region of Solway.

In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Solan surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 256, ranked #16,534, up from #22,225 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rosthern, Durham St Oswald and Auckland St Andrew. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Middlesbrough and Warrington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Solan is 258 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 220.0%.

1881 census count

80

Ranked #22,225

Modern count

256

2016, ranked #16,534

Peak year

2013

258 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Solan had 80 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,225 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 256 in 2016, ranked #16,534.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 123 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Solan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Solan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Solan 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 34 #27,194
1861 historical 88 #22,554
1881 historical 80 #22,225
1891 historical 89 #25,542
1901 historical 97 #23,227
1911 historical 123 #20,128
1997 modern 237 #15,809
1998 modern 243 #15,993
1999 modern 239 #16,268
2000 modern 230 #16,644
2001 modern 220 #16,914
2002 modern 235 #16,495
2003 modern 232 #16,447
2004 modern 223 #16,965
2005 modern 224 #16,876
2006 modern 228 #16,789
2007 modern 237 #16,571
2008 modern 240 #16,535
2009 modern 255 #16,183
2010 modern 251 #16,749
2011 modern 255 #16,428
2012 modern 248 #16,618
2013 modern 258 #16,421
2014 modern 255 #16,682
2015 modern 251 #16,756
2016 modern 256 #16,534

Geography

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Where Solans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rosthern, Durham St Oswald, Auckland St Andrew, Manchester and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Middlesbrough, Warrington and Swindon. 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 Rosthern Cheshire
2 Durham St Oswald Durham
3 Auckland St Andrew Durham
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 038 County Durham
2 Middlesbrough 011 Middlesbrough
3 County Durham 052 County Durham
4 Warrington 020 Warrington
5 Swindon 013 Swindon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Solan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Solan

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Solan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Solan 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Solan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Solan 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

Solan 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 Solan 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Solan

The surname Solan is believed to have originated in Scotland, deriving from a Scottish placename or territorial designation. It is thought to have emerged during the 12th or 13th century. The earliest known spelling was 'Soulane', likely derived from the Gaelic 'soilleir' meaning 'clear' or 'bright', suggesting the name may have been given to someone from a sunny or bright area.

Solan is also a variation of the surname Soulan, which appeared in the records of Kincardineshire in 1696. This suggests the name had spread to other parts of Scotland by the late 17th century. The Soulans of Kincardineshire were an influential family, with several members holding positions of authority in the local community.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was John Solan, a merchant from Edinburgh who lived in the late 16th century. His business dealings were recorded in the city's archives, indicating the name was well-established in the Scottish capital by that time.

In the 17th century, a Robert Solan was a prominent member of the Church of Scotland, serving as a minister in the parish of Kinghorn, Fife. He was known for his strong religious convictions and his dedication to his parishioners.

Another notable individual with the surname was Sir James Solan, a Scottish naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century. He was involved in several major battles against the French and was highly regarded for his bravery and leadership skills.

During the 19th century, the name Solan gained wider recognition with the success of the Scottish writer and poet, John Solan. Born in 1812 in Perthshire, he gained acclaim for his romantic poetry and his vivid descriptions of the Scottish countryside.

A more recent figure of historical significance was Margaret Solan, a pioneering feminist and activist who campaigned for women's rights in the early 20th century. Born in Glasgow in 1879, she was a prominent figure in the suffragette movement and played a key role in securing voting rights for women in Britain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Solan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Solan 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. Cheshire leads with 22 Solans recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.27x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 22 13.27x
Lancashire 22 2.47x
Durham 11 4.92x
Yorkshire 8 1.07x
Berwickshire 6 65.93x
Derbyshire 4 3.40x
Leicestershire 1 1.20x
Middlesex 1 0.13x
Staffordshire 1 0.39x
Warwickshire 1 0.53x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. High Leigh in Cheshire leads with 12 Solans recorded in 1881 and an index of 5454.55x.

Place Total Index
High Leigh 12 5454.55x
Warrington 7 66.23x
Earlston 6 1304.35x
Framwellgate 6 454.55x
Sheffield 5 21.10x
Ashton Under Lyne 4 20.53x
Chesterfield 4 90.70x
Knutsford Nether 4 400.00x
Oldham 4 13.90x
Sale 4 197.04x
Bishop Auckland 3 100.00x
Liverpool 3 5.54x
Drypool 2 175.44x
Golborne 2 172.41x
Stockport 2 23.45x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 14.90x
Burton Upon Trent 1 16.86x
Conside Knitsley 1 57.47x
East Murton 1 238.10x
Ibstock 1 163.93x
Leeds 1 2.38x
St Marylebone London 1 2.49x
Warwick St Mary 1 60.98x
Wigan 1 8.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Margaret 5
Catherine 3
Bridget 2
Adile 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Ciscily 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Hannah 1
Kate 1
Lizzy 1
Morgan 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
James 5
Michael 5
Patrick 4
Thomas 4
Anthony 3
Barney 1
Edward 1
Martin 1

FAQ

Solan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Solan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Solan surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Solan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 256 in 2016. That gives Solan a modern rank of #16,534.

What does the Solan surname mean?

A surname of Scottish origin referring to someone from the region of Solway.

What does the Solan map show?

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