NameCensus.

UK surname

Faherty

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Fathartaigh, derived from the Gaelic personal name meaning "voyager" or "wanderer".

In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Faherty surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 281, ranked #15,449, up from #28,418 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southwark, Redbridge and Rochford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faherty is 298 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 659.5%.

1881 census count

37

Ranked #28,418

Modern count

281

2016, ranked #15,449

Peak year

2000

298 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Faherty had 37 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,418 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 281 in 2016, ranked #15,449.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 58 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Faherty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Faherty surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Faherty 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 25 #30,804
1881 historical 37 #28,418
1891 historical 41 #31,095
1901 historical 58 #27,724
1911 historical 41 #28,802
1997 modern 272 #14,451
1998 modern 289 #14,208
1999 modern 286 #14,412
2000 modern 298 #13,981
2001 modern 295 #13,867
2002 modern 297 #14,081
2003 modern 289 #14,158
2004 modern 284 #14,377
2005 modern 267 #14,954
2006 modern 268 #15,000
2007 modern 272 #14,994
2008 modern 270 #15,219
2009 modern 281 #15,098
2010 modern 288 #15,162
2011 modern 275 #15,517
2012 modern 280 #15,248
2013 modern 284 #15,358
2014 modern 286 #15,378
2015 modern 280 #15,485
2016 modern 281 #15,449

Geography

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Where Fahertys 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 Southwark, Redbridge, Rochford, Newark and Sherwood and Croydon. 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 Southwark 017 Southwark
2 Redbridge 031 Redbridge
3 Rochford 003 Rochford
4 Newark and Sherwood 010 Newark and Sherwood
5 Croydon 008 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Faherty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Faherty

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

Faherty 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

Faherty falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Faherty

The surname Faherty has its origins in Ireland, where it first emerged in the early medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "fathach," which means "giant" or "gigantic." The name may have been given to someone of exceptional stature or physical presence.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name was spelled "Fathartaigh" or "Fatharta," reflecting its Gaelic roots. Over time, as the name spread and evolved, it took on various anglicized spellings such as Faherty, Faharty, and Faharty.

The Faherty clan was historically associated with County Galway in the western province of Connacht. They were a prominent family in the region, and their name appears in several historical records from the medieval period onwards.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the early 17th century. The annals mention a notable figure named Tomaltach Ua Fatharta, who was a chieftain and leader of the Faherty clan in the late 12th century.

In the 16th century, the Faherty family held significant influence and landholdings in the baronies of Moycullen and Ballynahinch in County Galway. During this period, several members of the clan were noted for their involvement in local politics and conflicts.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the surname Faherty. One such figure was John Faherty (1804-1885), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Faherty Knitting Mills in Boston, Massachusetts.

Another prominent individual was Michael Faherty (1851-1923), an Irish nationalist and Member of Parliament for County Galway. He was actively involved in the Irish Home Rule movement and advocated for Irish independence.

In the field of literature, John Faherty (1901-1991) was an Irish poet and writer who published several collections of poetry, including "The Wind Still Blows" and "The Sands of Existence."

Bridget Faherty (1838-1925) was a notable educator and pioneer in the field of women's education in Ireland. She founded several schools and played a significant role in promoting educational opportunities for girls.

Finally, James Faherty (1779-1858) was an Irish-American soldier who fought in the War of 1812 and later became a prominent businessman and landowner in New York City.

These are just a few examples of individuals who bore the surname Faherty throughout history, highlighting the name's deep roots in Irish culture and its global reach over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Faherty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faherty 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 9 Fahertys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.10x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 9 2.10x
Warwickshire 9 9.89x
Durham 5 4.66x
Yorkshire 5 1.40x
Devon 3 3.99x
Lanarkshire 2 1.71x
Angus 1 2.99x
Berkshire 1 3.69x
Essex 1 1.40x
Middlesex 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 6 Fahertys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.95x.

Place Total Index
Aston 6 23.95x
Litherland 6 666.67x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 107.53x
Leeds 5 24.76x
East Stonehouse 3 202.70x
Edgbaston 3 106.38x
Barony 1 3.39x
Brechin 1 76.34x
Higher Booths 1 129.87x
Little Bolton 1 18.18x
Liverpool 1 3.85x
Maryhill 1 43.86x
St George Hanover Square 1 15.72x
Tilehurst 1 181.82x
Walthamstow 1 39.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Winifred 2
Agnes 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Elizh. 1
Kate 1
Margaret 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
Patrick 3
Frederick 2
James 2
Alfred 1
Barthy 1
Charles 1
George 1
Henry 1
Joseph 1
Matthew 1
Matthias 1
Michael 1
Phil.Bar. 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 Faherty households.

FAQ

Faherty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Faherty surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Faherty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 281 in 2016. That gives Faherty a modern rank of #15,449.

What does the Faherty surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Fathartaigh, derived from the Gaelic personal name meaning "voyager" or "wanderer".

What does the Faherty map show?

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