NameCensus.

UK surname

Dunlea

An Irish surname derived from Dún Léith, meaning "fort of Léith".

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Dunlea surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 128, ranked #26,401, up from #33,498 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dunlea is 142 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4166.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

128

2016, ranked #26,401

Peak year

2002

142 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dunlea had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016, ranked #26,401.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 24 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Dunlea surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dunlea surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dunlea 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 8 #32,887
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 23 #32,389
1901 historical 24 #31,365
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 120 #24,158
1998 modern 135 #23,118
1999 modern 138 #22,983
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 131 #23,343
2002 modern 142 #22,687
2003 modern 133 #23,359
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 131 #23,737
2006 modern 126 #24,493
2007 modern 126 #24,860
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 133 #24,817
2010 modern 135 #25,127
2011 modern 137 #24,716
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 133 #25,655
2014 modern 125 #26,896
2015 modern 121 #27,405
2016 modern 128 #26,401

Geography

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Where Dunleas 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 Brighton and Hove, Brent, Harlow, Barking and Dagenham and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 Brighton and Hove 032 Brighton and Hove
2 Brent 030 Brent
3 Harlow 001 Harlow
4 Barking and Dagenham 002 Barking and Dagenham
5 Kensington and Chelsea 003 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dunlea

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dunlea, 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 Dunlea surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Dunlea 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Dunlea 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

Dunlea 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

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

Meaning and origin of Dunlea

The surname Dunlea originated in Ireland during the early medieval period, derived from the Irish Gaelic "Dún Lía," meaning "fort of the harpists." It has its roots in County Kerry, where a prominent family bore this name and lived in the vicinity of Dunloe Castle, near the town of Killarney.

Dunloe Castle, also known as Dunlea Castle, was a stronghold of the O'Donoghue clan, a powerful Gaelic family that ruled over the region. The name Dunlea was likely adopted by members of this clan or by people associated with the castle and its surroundings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Dunlea can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. In this text, a Diarmaid Dún Lía is mentioned as a skilled harpist who lived in the 14th century.

During the 16th century, a notable figure named Donnchadh Dún Lía (c. 1500-1570) was a renowned Irish poet and historian. He was a member of the Dunlea family and served as the official ollamh (poet laureate) to the O'Donoghue clan.

Another prominent individual with the Dunlea surname was Donal Dunlea (1640-1720), a Catholic priest and philosopher who lived during the Penal Laws in Ireland. He was educated in France and later returned to Ireland, where he wrote extensively on philosophy and theology.

In the 19th century, John Dunlea (1805-1881) was a notable Irish businessman and philanthropist. He owned a successful brewery in Cork and used his wealth to support various charitable causes, including the establishment of schools and hospitals.

Another figure of note was Mary Dunlea (1875-1961), an Irish writer and activist. She was involved in the Irish literary revival movement and worked tirelessly to promote the Irish language and culture. Her poetry and prose works celebrated the beauty of the Irish landscape and traditions.

The Dunlea surname has also been associated with several place names in County Kerry, such as Dunlea Townland and Dunlea Bridge, further cementing its connection to the region's history and geography.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dunlea families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dunlea 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. Wiltshire leads with 2 Dunleas recorded in 1881 and an index of 77.52x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 2 77.52x
Somerset 1 21.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Winterbourne Monkton in Wiltshire leads with 2 Dunleas recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Winterbourne Monkton 2 0.00x
Midsomer Norton 1 2500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Michael 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 Dunlea households.

FAQ

Dunlea surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dunlea surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Dunlea surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dunlea surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016. That gives Dunlea a modern rank of #26,401.

What does the Dunlea surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from Dún Léith, meaning "fort of Léith".

What does the Dunlea map show?

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