NameCensus.

UK surname

Fearon

Derived from the Irish Gaelic "O'Fearain," meaning "descendant of Fearan," a personal name of uncertain origin.

In the 1881 census there were 745 people recorded with the Fearon surname, ranking it #4,925 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,673, ranked #2,501, up from #4,925 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Bees, Arlecdon and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale and Copeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fearon is 2,725 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 258.8%.

1881 census count

745

Ranked #4,925

Modern count

2,673

2016, ranked #2,501

Peak year

2010

2,725 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fearon had 745 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,925 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,673 in 2016, ranked #2,501.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 995 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Fearon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fearon surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fearon 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 504 #4,961
1861 historical 393 #6,524
1881 historical 745 #4,925
1891 historical 744 #5,353
1901 historical 995 #4,783
1911 historical 898 #4,961
1997 modern 2,312 #2,689
1998 modern 2,372 #2,737
1999 modern 2,400 #2,724
2000 modern 2,366 #2,742
2001 modern 2,331 #2,721
2002 modern 2,455 #2,669
2003 modern 2,398 #2,665
2004 modern 2,398 #2,659
2005 modern 2,426 #2,606
2006 modern 2,495 #2,551
2007 modern 2,507 #2,562
2008 modern 2,533 #2,556
2009 modern 2,621 #2,540
2010 modern 2,725 #2,502
2011 modern 2,678 #2,509
2012 modern 2,622 #2,517
2013 modern 2,701 #2,496
2014 modern 2,699 #2,509
2015 modern 2,671 #2,516
2016 modern 2,673 #2,501

Geography

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Where Fearons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Bees, Arlecdon, Toxteth Park, Workington (Workington), Clossocks and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale and Copeland. 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 St Bees Cumberland
2 Arlecdon Cumberland
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Workington (Workington), Clossocks Cumberland
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 001 Allerdale
2 Copeland 004 Copeland
3 Allerdale 004 Allerdale
4 Allerdale 005 Allerdale
5 Copeland 007 Copeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fearon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fearon

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Fearon, 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 Fearon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Fearon 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Fearon 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

Fearon 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

Fearon 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 Fearon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Fearon

The surname Fearon is of Irish origin, originating from the Gaelic surname Ó Faracháin. It is derived from the Irish personal name Farachán, which means "pleasant" or "beloved." The name can be traced back to the 11th century in County Cork, Ireland.

In ancient Irish records, the name appears as early as the 12th century, with references to the Fearon family in the Annals of Inisfallen. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Donogh O'Fearon, who was mentioned in a land deed in County Cork in 1196.

The Fearon family was prominent in County Cork and surrounding areas during the medieval period. They were part of the Gaelic nobility and held significant landholdings in the region. The name can also be found in historical documents related to the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Fearon surname underwent various spelling variations, including Feeran, Feerann, and Feraun. These variations were likely due to the anglicization of the name and the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time.

One notable figure bearing the Fearon surname was Sir William Fearon (1572-1638), an Irish landowner and politician who served as a member of the Irish Parliament for County Cork. He played a significant role in the political affairs of the region during the early 17th century.

Another prominent individual was John Fearon (1768-1837), an English writer and traveler who published several books about his travels in the United States and Canada. His works provided valuable insights into the social and political climate of the early 19th century in North America.

In the 19th century, the Fearon surname was also associated with the town of Fearon, located in County Cork. This place name likely derived from the Fearon family's historical connection to the area.

Other notable individuals with the Fearon surname include:

1. Henry Bradshaw Fearon (1796-1849), an English novelist and playwright. 2. Robert Fearon (1892-1978), an Australian politician and member of the Australian House of Representatives. 3. Denis Fearon (1920-2008), an English actor known for his roles in television and film. 4. William Robert Fearon (1856-1944), an Irish-born American businessman and philanthropist. 5. Patrick Fearon (born 1953), an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for the Derry senior football team.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fearon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fearon 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. Cumberland leads with 310 Fearons recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.15x.

County Total Index
Cumberland 310 49.15x
Lancashire 199 2.29x
Middlesex 35 0.48x
Durham 29 1.33x
Northumberland 21 1.93x
Cheshire 18 1.11x
Renfrewshire 18 3.17x
Lanarkshire 17 0.72x
Kent 14 0.56x
Surrey 14 0.39x
Staffordshire 11 0.44x
Westmorland 11 6.83x
Yorkshire 10 0.14x
Ayrshire 7 1.28x
Channel Islands 7 3.22x
Berkshire 6 1.09x
Essex 5 0.35x
Hampshire 5 0.33x
Gloucestershire 3 0.21x
Leicestershire 3 0.37x
Midlothian 2 0.20x
Cornwall 1 0.12x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 0.94x
Northamptonshire 1 0.15x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.43x
Royal Navy 1 1.15x
Warwickshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 55 Fearons recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.42x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 55 10.42x
Arlecdon 37 220.63x
Crosscanonby 32 153.40x
Whitehaven 30 89.23x
Toxteth Park 29 9.85x
West Derby 28 11.01x
Everton 25 9.02x
Cleator 21 80.00x
Dean 20 966.18x
Bootle Cum Linacre 18 26.08x
Abbey 16 18.47x
Above Derwent 14 598.29x
Allhallows 13 698.92x
Dalton In Furness 12 35.76x
Kensington London 12 2.95x
Kirkdale 11 7.52x
Bishopwearmouth 10 5.35x
Eaglesfield 10 1562.50x
Glasgow 10 2.38x
Shoreditch London 10 3.15x
St Bees 10 342.47x
Hensingham 9 174.76x
Workington 9 24.92x
Patterdale 8 449.44x
Tranmere 8 13.46x
Barrow In Furness 7 5.92x
Drigg Carleton 7 492.96x
Ellenborough Ewanrigg 7 160.18x
St Helier 7 9.91x
Banstead 6 62.05x
Brigham 6 201.34x
Distington 6 185.19x
Handsworth 6 9.84x
Hungerford 6 80.65x
Monkwearmouth Shore 6 14.10x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 6 9.22x
Castlerigg St John 5 1190.48x
Elswick 5 5.75x
Heworth 5 11.64x
Mile End Old Town London 5 3.21x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 5 34.89x
Plumbland 5 306.75x
Sible Hedingham 5 103.52x
Aspatria 4 66.01x
Beith 4 24.45x
Cockermouth 4 30.12x
Deal 4 18.76x
Folkestone 4 8.25x
Great Clifton 4 163.93x
Harrington 4 52.56x
Lamplugh 4 126.58x
Longbenton 4 8.66x
Millom 4 20.69x
Norton In Moors 4 30.56x
Ormesby 4 20.50x
Papcastle 4 227.27x
Witton Le Wear 4 64.72x
Ardrossan 3 15.81x
Bromley London 3 1.86x
Carshalton 3 21.96x
Cheltenham 3 2.71x
Darlington 3 3.57x
Great Bolton 3 2.61x
Idle 3 8.91x
Lorton 3 300.00x
Preston Quarter 3 16.98x
Seaton 3 40.76x
Threlkeld 3 285.71x
Wavertree 3 10.78x
Wharton 3 34.05x
Whitbeck 3 638.30x
Blennerhasset Kirkland 2 162.60x
Caldbeck 2 67.80x
Deptford St Paul 2 1.04x
Embleton 2 229.89x
Greenwich 2 1.72x
Higher Bebington 2 19.32x
Keswick 2 24.81x
Paisley High Church 2 4.42x
South Hayling 2 74.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 71
Elizabeth 39
Sarah 27
Jane 24
Margaret 15
Ann 13
Ellen 10
Annie 8
Catherine 8
Hannah 7
Amelia 5
Eleanor 5
Eliza 5
Martha 5
Rose 5
Agnes 4
Alice 4
Bridget 4
Dorothy 4
Frances 4
Isabella 4
Rebecca 4
Emma 3
Esther 3
Grace 3
Maria 3
Bessie 2
Betsy 2
Cecilia 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Florence 2
Isabel 2
Janet 2
Jessie 2
Maggie 2
Margret 2
Rachel 2
Sophia 2
Ada 1
Aion 1
Anstice 1
Barbara 1
Besie 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Constance 1
Dorathey 1
Hilda 1
Vida 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 64
James 38
William 32
Joseph 22
Henry 19
George 12
Isaac 12
Peter 12
Thomas 12
Edward 11
Robert 11
Michael 5
Arthur 4
Charles 4
Daniel 4
Patrick 4
Stephen 4
Alfred 3
Ernest 3
Francis 3
Geo. 3
Richard 3
Walter 3
Bernard 2
David 2
Joshua 2
Lancelot 2
Lawrence 2
Mathew 2
Paul 2
Samuel 2
Chas.A. 1
Edwin 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Glen 1
Hugh 1
Jackson 1
Jacob 1
Jane 1
Jefferson 1
Jos.Graham 1
Mikle 1
Mirows 1
Nelson 1
Nicholas 1
Owen 1
Richd. 1
Robinson 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Fearon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fearon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 745 people were recorded with the Fearon surname. That placed it at #4,925 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fearon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,673 in 2016. That gives Fearon a modern rank of #2,501.

What does the Fearon surname mean?

Derived from the Irish Gaelic "O'Fearain," meaning "descendant of Fearan," a personal name of uncertain origin.

What does the Fearon map show?

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