UK surname
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "dáire," meaning an oak tree or oak grove.
In the 1881 census there were 34 people recorded with the Daire surname, ranking it #28,837 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 63, ranked #34,163, down from #28,837 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sidmouth, Aberdare and Llanelly. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Daire is 118 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 85.3%.
1881 census count
34
Ranked #28,837
Modern count
63
2016, ranked #34,163
Peak year
1891
118 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Daire surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Daire surname density by area, 1891 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 | 18 | #30,094 |
| 1861 | historical | 54 | #27,127 |
| 1881 | historical | 34 | #28,837 |
| 1891 | historical | 118 | #21,540 |
| 1901 | historical | 65 | #26,917 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 38 | #33,872 |
| 1998 | modern | 37 | #34,149 |
| 1999 | modern | 32 | #34,717 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 33 | #34,436 |
| 2002 | modern | 33 | #34,717 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 35 | #34,783 |
| 2005 | modern | 39 | #34,652 |
| 2006 | modern | 39 | #34,932 |
| 2007 | modern | 42 | #34,905 |
| 2008 | modern | 40 | #35,137 |
| 2009 | modern | 43 | #35,088 |
| 2010 | modern | 47 | #35,009 |
| 2011 | modern | 49 | #34,868 |
| 2012 | modern | 53 | #34,657 |
| 2013 | modern | 58 | #34,488 |
| 2014 | modern | 61 | #34,343 |
| 2015 | modern | 63 | #34,178 |
| 2016 | modern | 63 | #34,163 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sidmouth, Aberdare, Llanelly, Dwygfylchi and Swansea. 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 | Sidmouth | Devon |
| 2 | Aberdare | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | Llanelly | Carmarthenshire |
| 4 | Dwygfylchi | Carnarvonshire |
| 5 | Swansea | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Daire 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 Daire, 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 Daire surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Daire 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, Daire 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 Daire is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Daire, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Daire is believed to have originated in Ireland, where it first appeared sometime in the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "daire," which means "oak tree" or "oak grove." It is thought to have been initially used as a descriptive surname to refer to someone who lived near an oak tree or oak forest.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Daire can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a person named Daire in the year 1166. The name was also present in the Annals of the Four Masters, another important source of Irish history, indicating its widespread use during the medieval period.
In the 14th century, the surname Daire was found in various parts of Ireland, particularly in the counties of Cork, Kerry, and Limerick. It is likely that the name originated in one of these regions and then spread to other parts of the country.
One notable bearer of the Daire surname was Domhnall Daire, a 15th-century Irish poet and historian from County Cork. He was known for his work "The Book of Munster," which chronicled the history and genealogy of the Munster region.
Another prominent figure with the Daire surname was John Daire, a 17th-century Irish Catholic priest and scholar. He was born in County Kerry in 1599 and became a professor of theology at the University of Paris.
In the 18th century, the Daire surname was found in various records, including the Hearth Money Rolls of 1665, which recorded households for taxation purposes. The name was particularly prevalent in County Cork, where several families with the surname Daire were recorded.
In the 19th century, the Daire surname was carried by several notable individuals, such as Michael Daire, an Irish nationalist and politician from County Cork, who was born in 1817 and played a role in the Young Ireland movement.
Another notable bearer of the Daire surname was Patrick Daire, a 19th-century Irish writer and poet from County Kerry, who was born in 1840 and published several collections of poetry celebrating Irish culture and heritage.
While the surname Daire originated in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through Irish emigration. However, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Irish language and the country's rich historical and cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Daire 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. Glamorgan leads with 11 Daires recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.05x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Glamorgan | 11 | 19.05x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 2.41x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.27x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 4.10x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.79x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 3.26x |
| Durham | 1 | 1.01x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.93x |
| Morayshire | 1 | 19.42x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.30x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aberdare in Glamorgan leads with 6 Daires recorded in 1881 and an index of 151.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdare | 6 | 151.52x |
| Cardiff St John | 4 | 211.64x |
| Islington London | 4 | 12.45x |
| Widnes | 4 | 140.85x |
| Dukinfield | 3 | 88.76x |
| Marston | 2 | 2500.00x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 7.49x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 1 | 15.60x |
| Bradford | 1 | 12.58x |
| Elgin | 1 | 100.00x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 5.25x |
| Monkwearmouth | 1 | 106.38x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 8.20x |
| Salford | 1 | 8.64x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 6.96x |
| Ystradyfodwg | 1 | 19.76x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Daire 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 Daire 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 Daire households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Warehouseman | 2 |
| Barman (Inn) | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Copper Plate Maker (Smith) | 1 |
| Gen Laborer | 1 |
| Laborer At Alkali Works | 1 |
| Labourer Al | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Shepherd | 1 |
| Solicitors Clerk | 1 |
| Time Keeper (Manager) | 1 |
| Winder Cotton Mill | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 34 people were recorded with the Daire surname. That placed it at #28,837 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 63 in 2016. That gives Daire a modern rank of #34,163.
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "dáire," meaning an oak tree or oak grove.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Daire 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.