NameCensus.

UK surname

Deehan

An anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Dúcháin, meaning "descendant of Dúchán".

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Deehan surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 341, ranked #13,425, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Coventry and Glenrothes Pitteuchar.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Deehan is 346 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6720.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

341

2016, ranked #13,425

Peak year

2014

346 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Deehan had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 341 in 2016, ranked #13,425.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Deehan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Deehan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Deehan 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 11 #33,268
1901 historical 11 #32,907
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 319 #13,000
1998 modern 323 #13,211
1999 modern 329 #13,147
2000 modern 324 #13,243
2001 modern 317 #13,228
2002 modern 320 #13,414
2003 modern 310 #13,522
2004 modern 320 #13,311
2005 modern 312 #13,462
2006 modern 309 #13,633
2007 modern 324 #13,322
2008 modern 328 #13,319
2009 modern 328 #13,574
2010 modern 334 #13,690
2011 modern 329 #13,694
2012 modern 333 #13,468
2013 modern 336 #13,574
2014 modern 346 #13,370
2015 modern 337 #13,560
2016 modern 341 #13,425

Geography

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Where Deehans 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 Sheffield, Coventry, Glenrothes Pitteuchar, East Hertfordshire and Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall. 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 Sheffield 076 Sheffield
2 Coventry 039 Coventry
3 Glenrothes Pitteuchar Fife
4 East Hertfordshire 007 East Hertfordshire
5 Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall East Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Deehan

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Deehan

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

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Deehan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Deehan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Deehan is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Deehan is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Deehan 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 Deehan 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 Deehan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Deehan

The surname Deehan is believed to have originated in Ireland and is likely derived from the Irish Gaelic word "díomhaoin," which means "idle" or "lazy." This suggests that the name may have been given as a descriptive nickname for someone who was perceived as lazy or idle.

The earliest recorded instances of the Deehan surname can be traced back to the 17th century in County Clare, Ireland. One of the earliest documented individuals with this name was Patrick Deehan, who was born in 1668 in Ennis, County Clare. He was a farmer and landowner.

In the 18th century, the Deehan name began to appear in various parish records and land registers throughout County Clare and neighboring counties. One notable individual from this period was Michael Deehan, born in 1732 in Kilrush, County Clare. He was a merchant and played a role in local politics during his lifetime.

As the Deehan family spread throughout Ireland, variations in the spelling of the name emerged, including Deeran, Deeran, and Deehen. Some of these variations may have been influenced by the Irish Gaelic pronunciation or regional dialects.

In the 19th century, the Deehan surname gained more prominence with the birth of John Deehan (1831-1912), a renowned Irish poet and writer. He was born in Gort, County Galway, and his works often celebrated the Irish language and culture.

Another notable figure from this period was Bridget Deehan (1848-1924), a prominent figure in the Irish nationalist movement. She was born in Limerick and became an active supporter of Irish independence, participating in various political and cultural organizations.

As the Irish diaspora spread across the world, the Deehan surname began to appear in various countries, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia, where many Irish immigrants settled in search of new opportunities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Deehan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Deehan 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. Denbighshire leads with 3 Deehans recorded in 1881 and an index of 163.93x.

County Total Index
Denbighshire 3 163.93x
Lanarkshire 2 12.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Denbigh in Denbighshire leads with 3 Deehans recorded in 1881 and an index of 4285.71x.

Place Total Index
Denbigh 3 4285.71x
Rutherglen 2 869.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
Michael 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 Deehan households.

Occupation Count
Coachman Dom Serv 1

FAQ

Deehan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Deehan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Deehan surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Deehan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 341 in 2016. That gives Deehan a modern rank of #13,425.

What does the Deehan surname mean?

An anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Dúcháin, meaning "descendant of Dúchán".

What does the Deehan map show?

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