NameCensus.

UK surname

Doohan

An Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Dúdhghainn meaning "descendant of Dúdhghan".

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Doohan surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 299, ranked #14,770, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Possil Park, Lambeth and Kinning Park and Festival Park.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Doohan is 329 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3637.5%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

299

2016, ranked #14,770

Peak year

2010

329 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Doohan had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 299 in 2016, ranked #14,770.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 47 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Doohan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Doohan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Doohan 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
1861 historical 10 #32,589
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 32 #31,754
1901 historical 39 #29,799
1911 historical 47 #28,110
1997 modern 283 #14,037
1998 modern 292 #14,120
1999 modern 298 #14,026
2000 modern 312 #13,561
2001 modern 292 #13,967
2002 modern 317 #13,506
2003 modern 317 #13,328
2004 modern 295 #14,025
2005 modern 309 #13,552
2006 modern 309 #13,633
2007 modern 318 #13,503
2008 modern 320 #13,550
2009 modern 324 #13,689
2010 modern 329 #13,818
2011 modern 319 #14,000
2012 modern 305 #14,357
2013 modern 303 #14,651
2014 modern 307 #14,608
2015 modern 303 #14,646
2016 modern 299 #14,770

Geography

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Where Doohans 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 Possil Park, Lambeth, Kinning Park and Festival Park, Isle of Anglesey and Medway. 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 Possil Park Glasgow City
2 Lambeth 015 Lambeth
3 Kinning Park and Festival Park Glasgow City
4 Isle of Anglesey 005 Isle of Anglesey
5 Medway 001 Medway

Forenames

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First names often paired with Doohan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Doohan 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 Doohan

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Doohan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Doohan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Doohan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Doohan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Doohan

The surname Doohan has its origins in Ireland, where it emerged as a variant of the Gaelic O'Dubhachain sept. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "dubhach," meaning "sorrowful" or "melancholy." It is believed to have originated in County Sligo, where the family was located as early as the 12th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Doohan can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a 17th-century chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a "Dubhachan O'Dubhachain" who was a prominent poet and scholar in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in the form "O'Doohan" in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, which were administrative records of the English monarchy's dealings in Ireland. This spelling variation suggests that the name was subject to anglicization during this period.

The earliest known bearer of the surname Doohan was Patrick Doohan, born in County Sligo in 1580. He was a landowner and prominent figure in the local community.

Another notable individual with the surname Doohan was James Doohan (1920-2005), a Canadian actor best known for his portrayal of Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the original Star Trek television series and subsequent films. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Irish immigrant parents.

In the 17th century, the name Doohan was recorded in the Hearth Money Rolls, a tax record used in Ireland at the time. This document lists several individuals with the surname, indicating the family's presence in various parts of the country.

Another historical figure with the surname Doohan was Maureen Doohan (1896-1987), an Irish author and playwright. She was born in County Sligo and was a prominent figure in the Irish literary scene during the early 20th century.

The Doohan family also had a presence in the United States, with several individuals bearing the surname recorded in early census records. One notable American with the name was John Doohan (1815-1892), a businessman and philanthropist from New York City.

Throughout its history, the surname Doohan has maintained its strong ties to its Irish origins, with many bearers of the name tracing their ancestry back to County Sligo and the surrounding regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Doohan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Doohan 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. Lancashire leads with 6 Doohans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.48x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 6 6.48x
Dunbartonshire 1 47.62x
West Lothian 1 85.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Little Bolton in Lancashire leads with 5 Doohans recorded in 1881 and an index of 420.17x.

Place Total Index
Little Bolton 5 420.17x
Cardross 1 400.00x
Torphichen 1 2500.00x
Widnes 1 149.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 2
Matthew 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 Doohan households.

Occupation Count
Carter 1
General Laborer 1

FAQ

Doohan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Doohan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Doohan surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Doohan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 299 in 2016. That gives Doohan a modern rank of #14,770.

What does the Doohan surname mean?

An Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Dúdhghainn meaning "descendant of Dúdhghan".

What does the Doohan map show?

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