NameCensus.

UK surname

Dunlavey

From a place called Dunleavy in Ireland.

In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Dunlavey surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 102, ranked #30,722, down from #22,225 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Silkstone, Gateshead and Long Benton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sandwell, County Durham and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dunlavey is 159 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 27.5%.

1881 census count

80

Ranked #22,225

Modern count

102

2016, ranked #30,722

Peak year

1901

159 bearers

Map years

5

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dunlavey had 80 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,225 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016, ranked #30,722.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 159 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Dunlavey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dunlavey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dunlavey 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 30 #27,891
1861 historical 48 #27,896
1881 historical 80 #22,225
1891 historical 107 #22,967
1901 historical 159 #17,442
1911 historical 155 #17,485
1997 modern 91 #28,215
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 98 #28,050
2000 modern 92 #28,832
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 95 #28,746
2005 modern 92 #29,271
2006 modern 95 #29,113
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 91 #30,431
2009 modern 98 #29,906
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 112 #28,117
2012 modern 104 #29,543
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 105 #30,204
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 102 #30,722

Geography

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Where Dunlaveys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Silkstone, Gateshead, Long Benton, Greenock and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sandwell, County Durham, Merton, Gateshead and Sunderland. 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 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Long Benton Northumberland
4 Greenock Renfrew
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sandwell 004 Sandwell
2 County Durham 053 County Durham
3 Merton 017 Merton
4 Gateshead 021 Gateshead
5 Sunderland 010 Sunderland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dunlavey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dunlavey

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

Young Families in Industrial Towns

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dunlavey is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dunlavey 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

Dunlavey 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 Dunlavey 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 - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Dunlavey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dunlavey

The surname DUNLAVEY has its origins in Ireland, where it first appeared in the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Irish Gaelic words "dun," meaning a fortified place or hill, and "labhaigh," meaning to speak or articulate, suggesting a connection to a fortified area where public announcements or proclamations were made.

The earliest recorded instances of the DUNLAVEY surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The name is mentioned in reference to several individuals who were prominent figures in their respective regions.

One notable bearer of the DUNLAVEY name was Seán DUNLAVEY, born around 1580 in County Donegal, Ireland. He was a respected chieftain and landowner who played a significant role in the local affairs of his time. Records indicate that he was involved in negotiations with the English authorities during the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century.

Another historically significant DUNLAVEY was Eoghan DUNLAVEY, born in County Tyrone in the late 16th century. He was a renowned scholar and poet, known for his contributions to Irish literature and culture. His works were widely circulated and celebrated during his lifetime.

In the 18th century, the DUNLAVEY surname gained prominence in County Fermanagh, where a family of that name held lands and influence. One member, Patrick DUNLAVEY (1710-1785), was a respected landowner and local magistrate who played an active role in the administration of the county.

The DUNLAVEY name has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Dunlavey Townland in County Donegal and Dunlavey Hill in County Tyrone. These places likely derived their names from the surname or vice versa, reflecting the historical presence of the DUNLAVEY family in those areas.

Throughout history, the DUNLAVEY surname has undergone various spellings and variations, including Dunleavy, Dunleavey, and Dunlevey, reflecting the fluidity of name spellings in earlier times. Despite these variations, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained consistent, rooted in the ancient Irish heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dunlavey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dunlavey 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 38 Dunlaveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.10x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 38 4.10x
Northumberland 9 7.75x
Yorkshire 9 1.16x
Staffordshire 8 3.04x
Renfrewshire 7 11.58x
Durham 6 2.58x
Shropshire 2 2.97x
Stirlingshire 1 3.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ince In Makerfield in Lancashire leads with 8 Dunlaveys recorded in 1881 and an index of 185.61x.

Place Total Index
Ince In Makerfield 8 185.61x
East Greenock 7 122.59x
Longbenton 7 142.28x
Windle 7 134.36x
Burnley 6 76.92x
Newchurch 6 79.26x
Bradford 5 26.71x
Smallthorne 5 510.20x
Droylsden 4 132.45x
Tudhoe 4 197.04x
Walsall Foreign 3 22.04x
Bradford 2 46.19x
Framwellgate 2 144.93x
Keighley 2 24.27x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 28.86x
Warrington 2 18.21x
Armley 1 29.33x
Bridgnorth St Mary 1 151.52x
Falkirk 1 14.84x
Garston 1 36.63x
Lockwood 1 35.97x
Neen Sollars 1 2000.00x
Pilling 1 232.56x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 1 37.45x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Bridget 8
Ann 3
Margaret 3
Sarah 3
Catherine 2
Elizabeth 2
Alice 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Isabella 1
Margt. 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
James 4
Patrick 4
Michael 3
Thomas 3
Francis 2
Brian 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Martin 1
Nathan 1
Patk. 1
William 1

FAQ

Dunlavey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dunlavey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Dunlavey surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dunlavey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016. That gives Dunlavey a modern rank of #30,722.

What does the Dunlavey surname mean?

From a place called Dunleavy in Ireland.

What does the Dunlavey map show?

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