NameCensus.

UK surname

Devane

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Daimhín, meaning "descendant of Daimhín" (a personal name meaning "fawn" or "poet").

In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Devane surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 235, ranked #17,530, up from #28,418 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Islington, Harrogate and Tameside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Devane is 242 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 535.1%.

1881 census count

37

Ranked #28,418

Modern count

235

2016, ranked #17,530

Peak year

2014

242 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Devane had 37 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,418 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 235 in 2016, ranked #17,530.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 37 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Devane surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Devane surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Devane 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
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 37 #28,418
1891 historical 20 #32,579
1901 historical 24 #31,365
1911 historical 27 #30,437
1997 modern 213 #16,948
1998 modern 217 #17,207
1999 modern 225 #16,931
2000 modern 228 #16,743
2001 modern 223 #16,765
2002 modern 227 #16,877
2003 modern 223 #16,905
2004 modern 225 #16,882
2005 modern 224 #16,876
2006 modern 224 #16,990
2007 modern 226 #17,103
2008 modern 226 #17,238
2009 modern 228 #17,486
2010 modern 235 #17,477
2011 modern 228 #17,673
2012 modern 230 #17,479
2013 modern 240 #17,251
2014 modern 242 #17,285
2015 modern 242 #17,191
2016 modern 235 #17,530

Geography

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Where Devanes 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 Islington, Harrogate, Tameside, Luton and New Forest. 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 Islington 008 Islington
2 Harrogate 016 Harrogate
3 Tameside 017 Tameside
4 Luton 016 Luton
5 New Forest 014 New Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Devane

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Devane

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Devane surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Devane 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Devane is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Devane 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

Devane falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Devane

The surname DEVANE is of Irish origin, traced back to the 16th century in County Cork, Ireland. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Daimhín, which means "descendant of Daimhín," an Irish personal name derived from the word "daimh," meaning "ox" or "steer."

The earliest recorded spelling of the name DEVANE in Ireland dates back to 1601, when it appeared in the "Fiants of Elizabeth I" as "O'Davine." This document was a record of royal pardons and grants made during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the surname DEVANE was found in various Irish records, including the "Census of Ireland" of 1659, where it was listed as a principal Irish family name in County Cork. The name was also mentioned in the "Hearth Money Rolls" of 1665, which recorded households and their tax assessments.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the DEVANE surname was John Devane (1805-1867), an Irish Catholic priest and educator who served as the first President of the Jesuit-run St. Ignatius College in San Francisco, California.

Another prominent figure was John O'Devane (1820-1907), an Irish-born journalist and newspaper editor who worked for various publications in New York City, including The Irish World and American Industrial Liberator.

In the 19th century, the surname DEVANE was also found in other parts of Ireland, such as County Limerick. One notable individual from this region was William Devane (1855-1932), a member of the Irish Parliamentary Party and a supporter of Irish Home Rule.

The DEVANE surname also has a connection to place names in Ireland. For example, there is a townland called Devane in County Cork, which likely derived its name from the surname.

Another notable individual with the DEVANE surname was Michael Devane (1871-1949), an Irish politician and member of the First Dáil Éireann, the revolutionary parliament of the Irish Republic established in 1919.

Overall, the surname DEVANE has a rich history rooted in Irish culture and ancestry, with various notable individuals bearing this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Devane families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Devane 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. Middlesex leads with 13 Devanes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.70x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 13 3.70x
Lancashire 7 1.68x
Devon 6 8.21x
Glamorgan 6 9.81x
Cheshire 4 5.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan leads with 6 Devanes recorded in 1881 and an index of 102.04x.

Place Total Index
Merthyr Tydfil 6 102.04x
St Pancras London 6 21.22x
Tormoham 6 194.17x
Paddington London 5 38.73x
Salford 3 24.49x
Great Crosby 2 175.44x
Leftwich 2 588.24x
Tranmere 2 70.18x
Oldham 1 7.43x
St George Hanover 1 21.83x
Twickenham 1 66.23x
Warrington 1 20.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 4
Mary 4
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 2
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Charlotte 1
Honorah 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Minnie 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 4
Thomas 4
James 2
William 2
Charles 1
Richard 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 Devane households.

FAQ

Devane surname: questions and answers

How common was the Devane surname in 1881?

In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Devane surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Devane surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 235 in 2016. That gives Devane a modern rank of #17,530.

What does the Devane surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Daimhín, meaning "descendant of Daimhín" (a personal name meaning "fawn" or "poet").

What does the Devane map show?

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