NameCensus.

UK surname

Derrig

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "fertile ridge".

In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Derrig surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 135, ranked #25,505, up from #30,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Brent and Westminster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Derrig is 140 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 575.0%.

1881 census count

20

Ranked #30,738

Modern count

135

2016, ranked #25,505

Peak year

2009

140 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Derrig had 20 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016, ranked #25,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 25 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Derrig surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Derrig surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Derrig 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 25 #28,853
1861 historical 14 #32,072
1881 historical 20 #30,738
1891 historical 20 #32,579
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1911 historical 15 #31,938
1997 modern 121 #24,019
1998 modern 124 #24,316
1999 modern 132 #23,602
2000 modern 128 #24,015
2001 modern 125 #24,011
2002 modern 126 #24,393
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 122 #24,817
2006 modern 125 #24,611
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 136 #24,004
2009 modern 140 #24,033
2010 modern 140 #24,569
2011 modern 136 #24,819
2012 modern 132 #25,289
2013 modern 133 #25,655
2014 modern 135 #25,581
2015 modern 134 #25,607
2016 modern 135 #25,505

Geography

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Where Derrigs 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 Manchester, Brent, Westminster and Leeds. 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 Manchester 001 Manchester
2 Brent 031 Brent
3 Westminster 001 Westminster
4 Leeds 014 Leeds
5 Leeds 092 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Derrig

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Derrig

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Derrig surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Derrig household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Derrig is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Derrig 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

Derrig falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Derrig 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 Derrig, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Derrig

The surname "DERRIG" is believed to have originated in Ireland, dating back to the early medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "daire," which means an oak grove or oak wood. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or worked in an area with a significant concentration of oak trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In an entry dated 1038, a reference is made to a person named "Derrig mac Cathail," indicating that the name was in use during this time period.

The surname "DERRIG" appears to have been particularly prominent in the counties of Donegal and Sligo, which are located in the northwestern part of Ireland. It is possible that the name may have originated in one of these regions before spreading to other parts of the country.

In the 16th century, a prominent figure bearing the name "DERRIG" was Eoghan Derrig, a chieftain of the O'Donnell clan in Donegal. He played a significant role in the ongoing conflicts between the Irish clans and the English forces during the Tudor conquest of Ireland.

Another notable individual with the surname "DERRIG" was Seán Derrig, an Irish Franciscan friar who lived in the 17th century. He was a renowned scholar and author, known for his work in promoting the Irish language and culture.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure with the name "DERRIG" was Cormac Derrig, a writer and poet from County Sligo. He is remembered for his contributions to Irish literature and his efforts to preserve the traditions and language of his homeland.

Moving into the 19th century, we find a reference to a certain Patrick Derrig, a farmer and landowner from County Donegal, who was involved in local politics and community affairs during this period.

Throughout the centuries, the surname "DERRIG" has undergone various spelling variations, such as "Derrick," "Derricke," and "Derrige," reflecting the evolution of language and regional dialects. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained largely consistent, rooted in the ancient Irish tradition and the significance of oak trees in the landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Derrig families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Derrig 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. Cheshire leads with 6 Derrigs recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.95x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 6 13.95x
Cumberland 4 23.84x
Lancashire 4 1.73x
Lanarkshire 3 4.76x
Middlesex 2 1.03x
Yorkshire 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stayley in Cheshire leads with 6 Derrigs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1224.49x.

Place Total Index
Stayley 6 1224.49x
Clitheroe 4 588.24x
Mungrisdale 4 40000.00x
Govan 3 19.24x
Paddington London 2 27.93x
Kirkleatham 1 384.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bridget 2
Dora 1
Ellen 1
Margaret 1
Mary 1
Nora 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Hugh 2
John 2
Michael 2
Edward 1
Patrick 1
Thomas 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 Derrig households.

FAQ

Derrig surname: questions and answers

How common was the Derrig surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Derrig surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Derrig surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 135 in 2016. That gives Derrig a modern rank of #25,505.

What does the Derrig surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "fertile ridge".

What does the Derrig map show?

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