UK surname
A variant spelling of the Irish surname Flannery, derived from the Gaelic personal name Flannabhra meaning "red eyebrow."
In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Flanery surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #18,982 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Stockport and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Flanery is 107 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.8%.
1881 census count
107
Ranked #18,982
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1881
107 bearers
Map years
1
1881 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Flanery surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Flanery surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 93 | #17,946 |
| 1861 | historical | 85 | #22,922 |
| 1881 | historical | 107 | #18,982 |
| 1891 | historical | 58 | #29,439 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 17 | #31,675 |
| 1997 | modern | 11 | #36,912 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 15 | #36,476 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 12 | #36,612 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 12 | #37,014 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 10 | #37,517 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 11 | #37,467 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Stockport, St Dunstan Stepney, Manchester and Chesterfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Chesterfield | Derbyshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Flanery surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Flanery, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Flanery surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Flanery household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Flanery is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Flanery is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Flanery, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Flanery originated in Ireland, with roots dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to be an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "O'Flannagáin," which translates to "descendant of Flannagán." Flannagán itself is derived from the Irish word "flann," meaning "red" or "ruddy complexion."
The earliest recorded instances of the Flanery name can be found in ancient Irish manuscripts and records from the medieval period. One notable reference appears in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a Flannagán mac Muiredaig in the year 1021.
As the name spread across Ireland, it underwent various spellings and adaptations, including Flannery, Flanary, and Flannagan. These variations were often influenced by regional accents and dialects, as well as the preferences of individual families or scribes.
One of the earliest known individuals with the Flanery surname was Gilla na Naemh Ó Flannagáin, a prominent Irish poet and scholar who lived in the 14th century. His works, which included religious poetry and historical accounts, were highly regarded in his time.
In the 16th century, the Flanery name gained prominence in County Westmeath, where a family of that name held significant landholdings and influence. One notable member was Tadhg Óg Ó Flannagáin, a chieftain and military leader who fought against English forces during the Tudor conquest of Ireland.
During the 17th century, the Flanery name was recorded in various parts of Ireland, including County Galway, where a family of that name held lands near the town of Gort. John Flannery, born in 1635, was a prominent landowner and businessman in the area.
In the 18th century, the Flanery surname crossed the Atlantic to the American colonies. Patrick Flanery, born in 1712 in County Galway, immigrated to Virginia in the 1740s and became a successful farmer and landowner.
Throughout history, the Flanery name has been associated with numerous notable individuals, including Michael J. Flanery (1851-1923), a prominent American businessman and philanthropist; Reverend John Flanery (1805-1885), an Irish Catholic priest and educator; and Mary Flanery (1867-1936), an American author and poet known for her works exploring rural life in the Appalachian region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Flanery surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 53 Flanerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.28x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 53 | 4.28x |
| Yorkshire | 22 | 2.13x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 0.77x |
| Cheshire | 7 | 3.04x |
| Durham | 4 | 1.29x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 1.14x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 1.42x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 2.54x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.61x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 3.57x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.28x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.30x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.86x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middleton In Oldham in Lancashire leads with 10 Flanerys recorded in 1881 and an index of 269.54x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middleton In Oldham | 10 | 269.54x |
| Liverpool | 9 | 11.97x |
| Linthorpe | 7 | 113.45x |
| Bradford | 6 | 23.97x |
| Gorton | 6 | 51.55x |
| Preston | 5 | 15.09x |
| Warrington | 5 | 34.06x |
| Aughton | 4 | 325.20x |
| Macclesfield | 4 | 39.06x |
| Wednesbury | 4 | 45.45x |
| North Bedburn | 3 | 344.83x |
| Skelton In Howden | 3 | 3750.00x |
| St George In East London | 3 | 30.55x |
| Westminster St John | 3 | 23.60x |
| Everton | 2 | 5.07x |
| Hindley | 2 | 37.88x |
| Leeds | 2 | 3.43x |
| Over Darwen | 2 | 20.22x |
| Westminster St James | 2 | 18.64x |
| Abram | 1 | 105.26x |
| Altcar | 1 | 500.00x |
| Berwick Upon Tweed | 1 | 30.40x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 5.45x |
| Blackrod | 1 | 64.94x |
| Bonhill | 1 | 22.22x |
| Broughton In Skipton | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Caunton | 1 | 666.67x |
| Chesterfield | 1 | 16.34x |
| Dadlington | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Govan | 1 | 1.20x |
| Hale | 1 | 126.58x |
| Hartford | 1 | 192.31x |
| Heworth | 1 | 16.34x |
| Howden | 1 | 142.86x |
| Manchester | 1 | 1.80x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 2.75x |
| Oswaldtwistle | 1 | 22.88x |
| Salford | 1 | 2.75x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 3.04x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 2.38x |
| Walmer | 1 | 64.52x |
| Wigan | 1 | 5.78x |
| Wrexham Regis | 1 | 34.13x |
| York St George | 1 | 123.46x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Flanery surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Flanery surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Flanery households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 19 |
| Cotton Factory Hand | 5 |
| Labourer | 5 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| General Labourer | 3 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| School | 2 |
| Waterman | 2 |
| Agr Lab | 1 |
| Agr Lab Wife | 1 |
| C Rover | 1 |
| Card Room Cotton Mill | 1 |
| Card Room Hand | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coal Miner (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cripple (& Padlar) | 1 |
| Dom Servant | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoors) | 1 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 1 |
| Forge Labour (--) | 1 |
| Formerley Laundress | 1 |
| Fustian Cutter | 1 |
| Gen Domestic Servt | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| Gen Serv | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Serv Domestic | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Groom N D | 1 |
| Ifant | 1 |
| Joiners Lab | 1 |
| Laborer Dock | 1 |
| Labourer In Ironworks | 1 |
| Labourer in Marine Store | 1 |
| Labr In Iron Works | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Piecer | 1 |
| Private R M L I | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Servt Domestic | 1 |
| Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Shop Keeper | 1 |
| Weaver | 1 |
| Wharf Labourer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Flanery surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Flanery a modern rank of #37,385.
A variant spelling of the Irish surname Flannery, derived from the Gaelic personal name Flannabhra meaning "red eyebrow."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Flanery bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.