NameCensus.

UK surname

Devenny

An anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Daimhín meaning descendant of Daimhín (a diminutive of Damh, meaning "stag").

In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Devenny surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 189, ranked #20,334, up from #28,418 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cross Stobbs, Earlston Stow and Clovernfords Area and Bridge of Weir.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Devenny is 189 in 2004. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 410.8%.

1881 census count

37

Ranked #28,418

Modern count

189

2016, ranked #20,334

Peak year

2004

189 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Devenny had 37 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,418 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016, ranked #20,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 50 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Devenny surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Devenny surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Devenny 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 11 #31,309
1861 historical 23 #31,039
1881 historical 37 #28,418
1891 historical 28 #32,046
1901 historical 50 #28,590
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 180 #18,812
1998 modern 181 #19,229
1999 modern 181 #19,380
2000 modern 188 #18,916
2001 modern 181 #19,106
2002 modern 184 #19,275
2003 modern 183 #19,152
2004 modern 189 #18,855
2005 modern 175 #19,727
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 180 #19,745
2008 modern 182 #19,800
2009 modern 175 #20,707
2010 modern 183 #20,586
2011 modern 188 #20,067
2012 modern 185 #20,223
2013 modern 184 #20,643
2014 modern 188 #20,503
2015 modern 185 #20,641
2016 modern 189 #20,334

Geography

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Where Devennys 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 Cross Stobbs, Earlston Stow and Clovernfords Area, Bridge of Weir, Paisley North East and Stewarton East. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cross Stobbs East Renfrewshire
2 Earlston Stow and Clovernfords Area Scottish Borders
3 Bridge of Weir Renfrewshire
4 Paisley North East Renfrewshire
5 Stewarton East East Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Devenny

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Devenny

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Devenny surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Devenny household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Devenny 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

Devenny is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Devenny

The surname DEVENNY originated in Ireland, stemming from the Gaelic name 'O'Duibhne', meaning 'descendant of Duibhne'. Duibhne was a personal name derived from the Irish word 'dubh', meaning 'dark' or 'black'. The name was first found in the county of Donegal, where the family held a prominent position in the Gaelic kingdom of Tír Chonaill.

Records from the 16th century indicate that the DEVENNY surname was also found in County Roscommon, where it was anglicized from the Irish 'O'Duibhne'. The earliest known bearer of the name was Fergal O'Duibhne, a chieftain who lived in the late 12th century and was renowned for his military prowess.

The DEVENNY name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. This text records the exploits of several members of the O'Duibhne clan, including Aodh O'Duibhne, who died in 1303 after leading a rebellion against the Norman invaders.

In the 17th century, the name was anglicized to various spellings, including DEVENNY, DEVENEY, and DEVANY. One notable bearer was Cornelius DEVENNY (1632-1711), a Catholic priest who was imprisoned for his faith during the reign of King William III.

During the 18th century, the DEVENNY name spread to other parts of Ireland, particularly County Tyrone and County Fermanagh. John DEVENNY (1745-1823), a merchant from Enniskillen, was a prominent figure in the linen trade and helped establish the town's prosperity.

In the 19th century, many DEVENNYs immigrated to America and other English-speaking countries, seeking new opportunities. One notable figure was Michael DEVENNY (1857-1931), a successful businessman and philanthropist who founded the DEVENNY Trust in New York City to support educational initiatives.

Throughout its history, the DEVENNY surname has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including soldiers, clergymen, merchants, and scholars. While the name may have evolved in its spelling and pronunciation over time, it remains a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Ireland and the enduring legacy of the O'Duibhne clan.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Devenny families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Devenny 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. Renfrewshire leads with 15 Devennys recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.65x.

County Total Index
Renfrewshire 15 53.65x
Lancashire 8 1.87x
Stirlingshire 6 45.08x
Dunbartonshire 3 30.93x
Cheshire 2 2.51x
Middlesex 2 0.55x
Denbighshire 1 7.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Abbey in Renfrewshire leads with 9 Devennys recorded in 1881 and an index of 210.77x.

Place Total Index
Abbey 9 210.77x
Salford 7 55.60x
Falkirk 6 192.93x
West Greenock 6 119.52x
Old Kilpatrick 3 260.87x
Brinnington 2 270.27x
Spitalfields London 1 36.90x
St Pancras London 1 3.44x
Toxteth Park 1 6.90x
Wrexham Abbot 1 294.12x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ann 1
Caroline 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
David 1
Hugh 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Peter 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 Devenny households.

FAQ

Devenny surname: questions and answers

How common was the Devenny surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Devenny surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016. That gives Devenny a modern rank of #20,334.

What does the Devenny surname mean?

An anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Daimhín meaning descendant of Daimhín (a diminutive of Damh, meaning "stag").

What does the Devenny map show?

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