NameCensus.

UK surname

Strathearn

A surname of Scottish origin referring to a valley in Perthshire.

In the 1881 census there were 202 people recorded with the Strathearn surname, ranking it #12,753 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 266, ranked #16,094, down from #12,753 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Bathgate and Perth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Paisley Ferguslie, Falkirk - Middlefield and Paisley North West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Strathearn is 355 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.7%.

1881 census count

202

Ranked #12,753

Modern count

266

2016, ranked #16,094

Peak year

1901

355 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Strathearn had 202 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,753 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 266 in 2016, ranked #16,094.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 355 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Strathearn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Strathearn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Strathearn 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 105 #16,618
1861 historical 115 #18,880
1881 historical 202 #12,753
1891 historical 263 #12,261
1901 historical 355 #10,329
1911 historical 36 #29,370
1997 modern 252 #15,193
1998 modern 267 #15,016
1999 modern 248 #15,884
2000 modern 263 #15,228
2001 modern 258 #15,194
2002 modern 267 #15,123
2003 modern 277 #14,577
2004 modern 266 #15,075
2005 modern 262 #15,182
2006 modern 274 #14,769
2007 modern 269 #15,123
2008 modern 268 #15,311
2009 modern 278 #15,230
2010 modern 285 #15,276
2011 modern 266 #15,937
2012 modern 249 #16,572
2013 modern 252 #16,689
2014 modern 264 #16,288
2015 modern 265 #16,139
2016 modern 266 #16,094

Geography

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Where Strathearns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Bathgate, Perth, Glasgow and Airlie. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Paisley Ferguslie, Falkirk - Middlefield, Paisley North West, East Riding of Yorkshire and Paisley Gallowhill and Hillington. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Bathgate Linlithgow
3 Perth Perth
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Airlie Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Paisley Ferguslie Renfrewshire
2 Falkirk - Middlefield Falkirk
3 Paisley North West Renfrewshire
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 001 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Paisley Gallowhill and Hillington Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Strathearn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Strathearn

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Routine Occupations or Retirement

Nationally, the Strathearn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Strathearn 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 characterised by high proportions of single, often never-married adults of normal retirement age or older, including many that are in the most advanced age groups. Most adults are UK born and live at high residential densities, and many of the children living with parents are in adulthood. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are uncommon, but above average proportions of households include individuals that identify with different ethnic groups. Long-term disability is relatively common, and the dominant accommodation type is flats. Unemployment rates are high, with most of those employed working in routine occupations. Few individuals have high level qualifications. Car ownership is not high.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Strathearn is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Strathearn is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Strathearn 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 Strathearn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Strathearn

The surname Strathearn has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the region of Strathearn, located in Perthshire, Scotland. The name is believed to have originated from the Gaelic words "strath" meaning valley, and "Éireann" meaning Ireland, referring to the valley where Irish settlers established themselves.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Chronicles of the Picts and Scots, a historical record from the 12th century, which mentions individuals bearing the name Strathearn. The name is also present in various Scottish charters and documents from the 13th and 14th centuries, indicating its widespread use in the region.

In the 15th century, Sir Patrick Strathearn, a prominent Scottish knight, is recorded as participating in the Battle of Baugé during the Hundred Years' War. Another notable figure was Robert Strathearn, who served as the Bishop of Caithness from 1542 to 1551.

During the 16th century, the Strathearn family played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation. John Strathearn (1516-1584) was a renowned Protestant reformer and one of the leading figures in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.

In the 17th century, the name gained further prominence with William Strathearn (1628-1698), a Scottish philosopher and theologian who made significant contributions to the field of metaphysics. His treatises on the nature of existence and the human soul were widely influential during his time.

Another notable figure was Sir James Strathearn (1720-1788), a Scottish military officer who served in the British Army during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. He played a crucial role in several battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill, and was later appointed the Governor of Nova Scotia.

Throughout history, the surname Strathearn has been associated with various place names and older spellings, such as Stratherne, Strathairn, and Strathern, reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Strathearn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Strathearn 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 42 Strathearns recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.79x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 42 6.79x
Ayrshire 23 16.08x
West Lothian 18 62.52x
Angus 17 9.60x
Dunbartonshire 16 31.15x
Perthshire 13 15.15x
Lancashire 12 0.53x
Roxburghshire 12 34.65x
Renfrewshire 10 6.75x
Midlothian 7 2.73x
Northumberland 7 2.46x
Stirlingshire 6 8.51x
Berwickshire 3 12.96x
Fife 3 2.65x
Worcestershire 3 1.20x
Staffordshire 2 0.31x
Argyllshire 1 1.88x
Buteshire 1 8.64x

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 18 Strathearns recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.77x.

Place Total Index
Govan 18 11.77x
Bathgate 17 272.00x
Barony 12 7.67x
Newchurch 11 59.27x
Airlie 10 1754.39x
Bonhill 9 109.09x
Glasgow 8 7.29x
Hawick 8 103.23x
Sorn 8 284.70x
Paisley High Church 7 59.32x
Tynemouth 6 39.40x
Alyth 5 216.45x
Dunlop 5 561.80x
Falkirk 5 30.28x
Muirkirk 5 148.81x
Old Kilpatrick 5 82.37x
Perth West Church 5 122.85x
Borthwick 4 350.88x
Kelso 4 115.94x
Dudley 3 9.88x
Greenlaw 3 365.85x
Kirriemuir 3 68.65x
Perth East Church 3 37.08x
Liff Benvie 2 7.44x
Newburgh 2 138.89x
Paisley Middle Church 2 23.18x
Shotts 2 27.03x
Tipton 2 10.12x
Ayr 1 14.81x
Cambusnethan 1 7.28x
Carriden 1 76.92x
Crichton 1 140.85x
Cupar 1 20.33x
Duddingston 1 19.46x
Dumbarton 1 13.99x
Dundee 1 1.51x
Dunoon Kilmun 1 24.10x
East Greenock 1 7.15x
Fulwood 1 40.82x
Glenisla 1 192.31x
Irvine 1 25.19x
Kilmarnock 1 5.87x
Kilmaurs 1 41.15x
Kingarth 1 120.48x
Longbenton 1 8.30x
Mauchline 1 60.98x
New Monkland 1 5.47x
Row 1 15.04x
Slamannan 1 25.91x
Stow 1 75.76x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jessie 3
Jane 2
(Mrs) 1
Agnes 1
Elizabth. 1
Ellen 1
Maggie 1
Margrett 1
Mary 1
Sophie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Jonathan 2
Alexder. 1
Ebenezer 1
George 1
Hugh 1
Robert 1
William 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 Strathearn households.

FAQ

Strathearn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Strathearn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 202 people were recorded with the Strathearn surname. That placed it at #12,753 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Strathearn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 266 in 2016. That gives Strathearn a modern rank of #16,094.

What does the Strathearn surname mean?

A surname of Scottish origin referring to a valley in Perthshire.

What does the Strathearn map show?

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