NameCensus.

UK surname

Cowhig

A surname of Irish origin referring to a person engaged in herding cows.

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Cowhig surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 124, ranked #26,975, up from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Knowsley, Sutton and Bournemouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cowhig is 151 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 853.8%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

124

2016, ranked #26,975

Peak year

1998

151 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cowhig had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016, ranked #26,975.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 46 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Cowhig surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cowhig surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cowhig 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 16 #30,441
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1891 historical 43 #30,933
1901 historical 39 #29,799
1911 historical 46 #28,224
1997 modern 139 #22,132
1998 modern 151 #21,578
1999 modern 144 #22,405
2000 modern 141 #22,648
2001 modern 138 #22,647
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 134 #23,260
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 121 #25,469
2008 modern 128 #24,901
2009 modern 143 #23,686
2010 modern 150 #23,482
2011 modern 146 #23,736
2012 modern 133 #25,187
2013 modern 135 #25,395
2014 modern 132 #25,971
2015 modern 129 #26,226
2016 modern 124 #26,975

Geography

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Where Cowhigs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Knowsley, Sutton, Bournemouth and Redcar and Cleveland. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Knowsley 002 Knowsley
2 Sutton 005 Sutton
3 Knowsley 014 Knowsley
4 Bournemouth 018 Bournemouth
5 Redcar and Cleveland 021 Redcar and Cleveland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cowhig

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cowhig

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

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Cowhig surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Cowhig 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 house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Cowhig is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cowhig is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cowhig 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 Cowhig 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Cowhig

The surname COWHIG is believed to have originated in Ireland, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name "Ó Cobhthaigh," which derives from the word "cobhthach," meaning "victorious" or "triumphant."

The name was predominantly found in the counties of Cork and Kerry, where it is believed to have originated. It is likely that the COWHIG name was adopted by families who were part of the Dál gCais, a powerful dynasty that ruled over the region in the early medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the COWHIG name can be found in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, a collection of records from the reign of Henry VIII. In this document, a "Donyll Cowhegg" is listed as having been pardoned for his involvement in the Desmond Rebellions, a series of uprisings against English rule in Ireland.

Another early reference to the name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of Irish history compiled in the 17th century. In this text, a "Conor O'Cowhyg" is mentioned as having been killed in a battle in 1589.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the COWHIG surname. One such person was Dermot COWHIG (1619-1687), a Catholic priest who played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars and was later executed for his involvement in the Popish Plot.

Another prominent COWHIG was Daniel COWHIG (1782-1856), a successful merchant and landowner in County Cork. He was also a noted philanthropist and supported the development of educational institutions in the region.

In the 19th century, John COWHIG (1838-1911) was a respected lawyer and judge in Queensland, Australia. He served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland and was known for his fair and impartial rulings.

A more recent figure was Mary COWHIG (1893-1965), an Irish writer and poet who was part of the literary revival movement in the early 20th century. Her works often explored themes of Irish identity and the struggles of rural life.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Patrick COWHIG (1929-2012), a renowned Irish sculptor who was best known for his monumental public works, many of which can be found in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the COWHIG surname throughout history, a name that has its roots in the rich cultural heritage of Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cowhig families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cowhig 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. Monmouthshire leads with 10 Cowhigs recorded in 1881 and an index of 109.05x.

County Total Index
Monmouthshire 10 109.05x
Devon 1 3.79x
Middlesex 1 0.79x
Yorkshire 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. Trevethin in Monmouthshire leads with 9 Cowhigs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1034.48x.

Place Total Index
Trevethin 9 1034.48x
Hackney London 1 14.06x
High Low Bishopside 1 909.09x
Littleham 1 526.32x
St Woollos 1 98.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 2
Ann 1
Eleanor 1
Johanna 1
Julia 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
David 2
Bartholomew 1
Batt 1
Jeremiah 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 Cowhig households.

FAQ

Cowhig surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cowhig surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Cowhig surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cowhig surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016. That gives Cowhig a modern rank of #26,975.

What does the Cowhig surname mean?

A surname of Irish origin referring to a person engaged in herding cows.

What does the Cowhig map show?

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