UK surname
A surname derived from a place name meaning "valley" or "river inlet".
In the 1881 census there were 49 people recorded with the Tain surname, ranking it #26,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 36, ranked #35,648, down from #26,735 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wilbarston, Govan Combination and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tain is 113 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.5%.
1881 census count
49
Ranked #26,735
Modern count
36
2016, ranked #35,648
Peak year
1861
113 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Tain surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Tain surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 58 | #22,928 |
| 1861 | historical | 113 | #19,151 |
| 1881 | historical | 49 | #26,735 |
| 1891 | historical | 55 | #29,744 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 47 | #28,110 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 50 | #32,899 |
| 1999 | modern | 42 | #33,778 |
| 2000 | modern | 39 | #34,066 |
| 2001 | modern | 37 | #34,082 |
| 2002 | modern | 33 | #34,717 |
| 2003 | modern | 34 | #34,681 |
| 2004 | modern | 37 | #34,640 |
| 2005 | modern | 31 | #35,260 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 32 | #35,610 |
| 2009 | modern | 33 | #35,671 |
| 2010 | modern | 32 | #35,848 |
| 2011 | modern | 27 | #36,136 |
| 2012 | modern | 32 | #35,820 |
| 2013 | modern | 34 | #35,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 35 | #35,702 |
| 2016 | modern | 36 | #35,648 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wilbarston, Govan Combination, St Pancras, Birstall and Kidderminster. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilbarston | Leicestershire |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Birstall | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Kidderminster | Worcestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Tain surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Tain, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Tain surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Tain household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Tain is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Tain is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Tain, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Tain is thought to have originated in Scotland, with its earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "teine," which means "fire" or "bright." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who worked with fire or had a bright, fiery appearance.
One of the earliest known references to the name Tain can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, which mentions a person named Adam Tein. The spelling variations in these early records include Tein, Teyn, and Tayn, reflecting the evolution of the name over time.
In the 14th century, the Tain surname appeared in the records of the Clan Chattan, a powerful Scottish confederation of clans. This association with a prominent clan suggests that the Tain name held a certain level of prominence and status during that period.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholders in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any entries for the surname Tain. This indicates that the name may have been primarily concentrated in Scotland during its early history.
One notable bearer of the Tain surname was Sir Thomas Tain, a Scottish nobleman who lived in the late 15th century. He was a loyal supporter of King James IV of Scotland and is recorded as having participated in the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.
Another historical figure with the surname Tain was John Tain, a Scottish merchant and burgess of Aberdeen who lived in the 16th century. He was involved in the city's trade and played a role in its governance during his lifetime.
In the 17th century, the Tain surname can be found in the records of the parish of Tain in the county of Ross and Cromarty, Scotland. This suggests a possible connection between the surname and the place name, although the exact relationship is unclear.
One of the most notable bearers of the Tain surname in more recent history was Sir John Tain (1778-1858), a Scottish politician and landowner. He served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies and was a prominent figure in the Scottish Highlands during his lifetime.
Throughout its history, the Tain surname has maintained a strong presence in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and the northeastern regions of the country. While not a widespread name, it has endured as a part of Scotland's rich cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tain surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Worcestershire leads with 14 Tains recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.91x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 14 | 22.91x |
| Warwickshire | 13 | 11.01x |
| Fife | 6 | 21.66x |
| Lanarkshire | 6 | 3.96x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.86x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.23x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.59x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.59x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 5.79x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.44x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 13 Tains recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 13 | 33.05x |
| Kidderminster Borough | 12 | 335.20x |
| Dunfermline | 6 | 140.85x |
| Govan | 6 | 16.03x |
| Sowerby In Thirsk | 3 | 1071.43x |
| Worcester St Clement | 2 | 512.82x |
| Bisley | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Briton Ferry | 1 | 103.09x |
| Colinton | 1 | 142.86x |
| Killearn | 1 | 555.56x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 6.13x |
| Skelmanthorpe | 1 | 200.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Tain surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Tain surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Tain households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Carpet Finisher | 1 |
| Carpet Weaver | 1 |
| Cigar Blender | 1 |
| Domestic Economy | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| French Governess | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Machinists Wife | 1 |
| Plate Layer On Railway | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Schoolmaster | 1 |
| Tin Plate Worker | 1 |
| Weaver C | 1 |
| Worsted Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 49 people were recorded with the Tain surname. That placed it at #26,735 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 36 in 2016. That gives Tain a modern rank of #35,648.
A surname derived from a place name meaning "valley" or "river inlet".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Tain bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.