NameCensus.

UK surname

Stirling

A locational surname referring to someone from the town of Stirling in central Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 3,915 people recorded with the Stirling surname, ranking it #1,163 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5,758, ranked #1,167, down from #1,163 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kirkintilloch, Forfar and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenfield, Dalmarnock and Old Shettleston and Parkhead North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Stirling is 5,758 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.1%.

1881 census count

3,915

Ranked #1,163

Modern count

5,758

2016, ranked #1,167

Peak year

2016

5,758 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Stirling had 3,915 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,163 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,758 in 2016, ranked #1,167.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,712 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Stirling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Stirling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Stirling 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 2,746 #1,072
1861 historical 2,808 #1,040
1881 historical 3,915 #1,163
1891 historical 3,865 #1,237
1901 historical 4,712 #1,199
1911 historical 1,241 #3,817
1997 modern 5,243 #1,245
1998 modern 5,395 #1,262
1999 modern 5,427 #1,261
2000 modern 5,484 #1,247
2001 modern 5,382 #1,238
2002 modern 5,517 #1,237
2003 modern 5,420 #1,226
2004 modern 5,416 #1,228
2005 modern 5,363 #1,216
2006 modern 5,364 #1,215
2007 modern 5,416 #1,209
2008 modern 5,495 #1,198
2009 modern 5,577 #1,210
2010 modern 5,690 #1,213
2011 modern 5,554 #1,226
2012 modern 5,518 #1,205
2013 modern 5,613 #1,211
2014 modern 5,730 #1,190
2015 modern 5,745 #1,169
2016 modern 5,758 #1,167

Geography

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Where Stirlings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kirkintilloch, Forfar, Govan Combination, London parishes and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Greenfield, Dalmarnock, Old Shettleston and Parkhead North, Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill and Ruchill. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Kirkintilloch Dunbarton
2 Forfar Forfar
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 London parishes London 3
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Greenfield Glasgow City
2 Dalmarnock Glasgow City
3 Old Shettleston and Parkhead North Glasgow City
4 Roystonhill, Blochairn, and Provanmill Glasgow City
5 Ruchill Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Stirling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Stirling

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Stirling, 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 Stirling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Stirling 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, Stirling 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

Stirling 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

Stirling 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 Stirling 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Stirling

The surname Stirling has its origins in the town of Stirling in central Scotland. The name is derived from the Old English word "Styr", meaning a yearling bullock or young cow, and the suffix "-ling" denoting offspring or descendant. The name likely referred to someone who was a cattle farmer or herdsman in the area near Stirling.

The earliest recorded mention of the surname Stirling dates back to the 12th century in Scotland. The name appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of Scottish nobles and gentry who pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England. This suggests that the Stirling family held a position of some prominence in medieval Scottish society.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named John Stirling played a role in the Wars of Scottish Independence. He was a supporter of Robert the Bruce and fought alongside the Scottish forces at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

The Stirling surname is also closely associated with the town of Stirling itself, which was a strategically important location due to its castle and bridge over the River Forth. The town's name is recorded in various spellings in old records, such as "Strivelyn" and "Stryvelyne".

In the 16th century, Sir William Stirling of Keir (c. 1520-1570) was a prominent Scottish landowner and courtier during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. He was knighted for his service to the crown and played a role in the political turmoil of that era.

Another notable figure was James Stirling (1692-1770), a Scottish mathematician and author. He made contributions to the fields of algebra and calculus, and his work influenced the development of modern mathematical notation.

Sir Walter Stirling (1880-1958) was a British naval officer and explorer who led several expeditions to the Antarctic region in the early 20th century. He was knighted for his achievements in polar exploration and scientific research.

The surname Stirling has also been associated with several notable architects, including James Stirling (1926-1992), a British architect known for his innovative and postmodern designs, such as the Neue Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart, Germany.

Overall, the surname Stirling has a rich history that spans centuries and is deeply rooted in the Scottish tradition, with connections to notable figures in various fields, from military and politics to science and architecture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Stirling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Stirling 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. Lanarkshire leads with 1,051 Stirlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.56x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 1,051 8.56x
Dunbartonshire 335 32.84x
Midlothian 301 5.92x
Stirlingshire 299 21.36x
Renfrewshire 228 7.75x
Angus 216 6.14x
Ayrshire 180 6.34x
Perthshire 149 8.75x
Middlesex 146 0.38x
Lancashire 136 0.30x
Durham 84 0.74x
Yorkshire 69 0.18x
Aberdeenshire 66 1.88x
Surrey 65 0.35x
Fife 55 2.45x
West Lothian 53 9.27x
Kent 38 0.29x
Argyllshire 36 3.41x
East Lothian 36 7.16x
Northumberland 34 0.60x
Clackmannanshire 30 9.57x
Roxburghshire 25 3.64x
Buteshire 22 9.57x
Hampshire 22 0.28x
Derbyshire 16 0.27x
Glamorgan 15 0.23x
Kincardineshire 15 3.25x
Sussex 14 0.22x
Devon 13 0.16x
Selkirkshire 11 3.20x
Peeblesshire 10 5.60x
Berwickshire 8 1.74x
Somerset 8 0.13x
Worcestershire 8 0.16x
Lincolnshire 7 0.12x
Warwickshire 7 0.07x
Wigtownshire 7 1.39x
Inverness-shire 6 0.53x
Northamptonshire 6 0.17x
Cheshire 5 0.06x
Dumfriesshire 5 0.60x
Kirkcudbrightshire 5 0.91x
Suffolk 5 0.11x
Banffshire 4 0.51x
Cornwall 4 0.09x
Hertfordshire 4 0.15x
Staffordshire 4 0.03x
Cumberland 3 0.09x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.06x
Royal Navy 3 0.66x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.09x
Essex 2 0.03x
Leicestershire 2 0.05x
Monmouthshire 2 0.07x
Nairnshire 2 1.73x
Norfolk 2 0.03x
Ross-shire 2 0.19x
Bedfordshire 1 0.05x
Berkshire 1 0.04x
Morayshire 1 0.17x
Oxfordshire 1 0.04x
Sutherland 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 285 Stirlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.17x.

Place Total Index
Barony 285 9.17x
Kirkintilloch 255 184.02x
Govan 244 8.04x
Glasgow 221 10.14x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 136 6.65x
Old Monkland 85 17.45x
Forfar 79 41.49x
New Monkland 58 15.98x
Denny 57 76.55x
Abbey 54 12.03x
Dunblane 51 125.09x
Falkirk 43 13.12x
Hamilton 43 12.56x
Dundee 39 2.97x
Cambusnethan 37 13.57x
Riccarton 37 86.35x
Kilsyth 36 40.33x
Campsie 35 45.56x
Neilston 34 23.03x
Bathgate 32 25.79x
South Leith 30 5.24x
Cumbernauld 26 46.52x
Darlington 26 5.96x
Stirling 24 13.60x
Cathcart 23 14.45x
St Ninians 23 16.58x
Bothkennar 22 52.66x
Bothwell 22 6.61x
St Vigeans 22 11.59x
West Calder 22 21.95x
Eastwood 20 11.04x
Loudoun 20 29.27x
West Greenock 20 3.79x
Arbroath 19 16.30x
Ardoch 18 125.61x
Kensington London 18 0.85x
Alloa 17 11.18x
Dunoon Kilmun 17 20.63x
North Leith 17 7.22x
Old Kilpatrick 17 14.10x
Paisley High Church 17 7.26x
Westminster St 17 12.15x
Gateshead 15 1.77x
Lewisham 15 2.17x
Renfrew 15 15.44x
St Marylebone London 15 0.74x
Ardrossan 14 14.24x
Paisley Middle Church 14 8.17x
Portsea 14 0.92x
Row 14 10.61x
Kilbride 13 45.90x
Kilmadock 13 33.19x
Kilmarnock 13 3.85x
Largs 13 19.43x
Linthorpe 13 5.79x
Muiravonside 13 36.56x
Bishopwearmouth 12 1.24x
Camberwell 12 0.49x
Kippen 12 63.69x
Kirriemuir 12 13.83x
Lambeth 12 0.36x
Lasswade 12 10.32x
Newington 12 0.86x
Aberdeen Old Machar 11 1.50x
Avondale 11 15.33x
Bonhill 11 6.72x
Dalkeith 11 10.96x
Kilbirnie 11 16.13x
Llandaff 11 5.00x
Longside 11 26.20x
Slamannan 11 14.35x
West Kilbride 11 40.65x
Whitburn 11 13.32x
Ardwick 10 2.46x
Cambuslang 10 8.08x
Inveresk 10 7.26x
Monquhitter 10 27.48x
North Wingfield 10 37.65x
St Pancras London 10 0.33x
Tillicoultry 10 14.34x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 45
William 45
James 28
Robert 26
Thomas 23
George 19
Charles 16
Henry 11
David 8
Edward 7
Joseph 7
Walter 7
Arthur 5
Alfred 4
Archibald 4
Frederick 4
Samuel 4
Alexander 3
Andrew 3
Patrick 3
Reginald 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
Edgar 2
Ernest 2
Hugh 2
Isaac 2
Matthew 2
Peter 2
Robinson 2
Thos. 2
Wiliam 2
Willm 2
Charlie 1
Christopher 1
Clarence 1
Cyril 1
Daniel 1
Elias 1
Enoch 1
Evan 1
Geo. 1
Halliburton 1
Harry 1
Jno.Archd. 1
Job 1
Mark 1
Murray 1
Norman 1
Oliver 1

FAQ

Stirling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Stirling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,915 people were recorded with the Stirling surname. That placed it at #1,163 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Stirling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,758 in 2016. That gives Stirling a modern rank of #1,167.

What does the Stirling surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from the town of Stirling in central Scotland.

What does the Stirling map show?

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