NameCensus.

UK surname

Culhane

An Irish surname derived from Ó Ceallachain, meaning "descendant of Ceallachán," a personal name meaning "bright-headed."

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Culhane surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 192, ranked #20,118, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Winchester, Milton Keynes and Colchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Culhane is 198 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3100.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

192

2016, ranked #20,118

Peak year

2014

198 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Culhane had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016, ranked #20,118.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 51 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Culhane surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Culhane surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Culhane 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 24 #30,922
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 21 #32,526
1901 historical 51 #28,492
1911 historical 47 #28,110
1997 modern 160 #20,259
1998 modern 174 #19,729
1999 modern 173 #19,935
2000 modern 173 #19,889
2001 modern 172 #19,696
2002 modern 181 #19,463
2003 modern 183 #19,152
2004 modern 180 #19,424
2005 modern 170 #20,066
2006 modern 172 #20,073
2007 modern 170 #20,471
2008 modern 170 #20,672
2009 modern 179 #20,418
2010 modern 191 #20,015
2011 modern 178 #20,809
2012 modern 189 #19,949
2013 modern 197 #19,725
2014 modern 198 #19,841
2015 modern 190 #20,272
2016 modern 192 #20,118

Geography

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Where Culhanes 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 Winchester, Milton Keynes and Colchester. 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 Winchester 005 Winchester
2 Milton Keynes 030 Milton Keynes
3 Winchester 002 Winchester
4 Colchester 014 Colchester
5 Winchester 007 Winchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Culhane

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Culhane

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Culhane surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Culhane household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Culhane is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Culhane is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Culhane falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Culhane is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Culhane

The surname Culhane originates from Ireland and dates back to the 11th century. It is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Culacháin, which means "descendant of Culachán". Culachán was a personal name derived from the Irish word "culach", meaning "bakehouse" or "kitchen".

The name is believed to have originated in County Kerry, where the Culhane clan were among the most prominent septs (family groups) of the ancient Irish kingdom of Desmond. The earliest recorded instance of the name appears in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a "Gillacholum Ó Culacháin" in 1122.

In the 14th century, the Culhanes were among the Irish families who were dispossessed of their lands during the Norman invasion of Ireland. Some members of the clan sought refuge in the mountainous regions of County Cork and County Kerry, where the name remained prevalent.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Donnell Culhane, a 16th-century Irish chieftain who led the Culhane clan in their resistance against the English forces of Sir Humphrey Gilbert during the Second Desmond Rebellion (1579-1583).

Another notable figure was Father John Culhane (1770-1845), a Catholic priest and Irish nationalist who played a significant role in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He was arrested and imprisoned for his activities but later pardoned.

In the late 18th century, Cornelius Culhane (1754-1821) was a prominent Irish-born merchant and landowner who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He was instrumental in establishing the city's first Catholic church and school.

During the Great Famine of the 1840s, many Irish families with the surname Culhane emigrated to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, seeking a better life and escaping the devastating effects of the potato blight.

One of the most renowned individuals with the surname Culhane was Mary Culhane (1893-1970), an Irish-American actress and vaudeville performer who appeared in numerous Broadway productions and Hollywood films in the early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Culhane families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Culhane 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. Kent leads with 4 Culhanes recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.06x.

County Total Index
Kent 4 20.06x
Surrey 1 3.51x
Yorkshire 1 1.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swanscombe in Kent leads with 4 Culhanes recorded in 1881 and an index of 4444.44x.

Place Total Index
Swanscombe 4 4444.44x
Gate Fulford 1 714.29x
Lambeth 1 19.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Dennis 1
Thomas 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 Culhane households.

FAQ

Culhane surname: questions and answers

How common was the Culhane surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Culhane surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Culhane surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016. That gives Culhane a modern rank of #20,118.

What does the Culhane surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from Ó Ceallachain, meaning "descendant of Ceallachán," a personal name meaning "bright-headed."

What does the Culhane map show?

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