NameCensus.

UK surname

Gibney

Derived from the Irish Gaelic surname "Ó Gíobúnaidh," meaning "descendant of Gíobúnaidh," a personal name of unknown meaning.

In the 1881 census there were 197 people recorded with the Gibney surname, ranking it #12,955 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 963, ranked #5,971, up from #12,955 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Toxteth Park and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, Knowsley and West Oxfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gibney is 986 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 388.8%.

1881 census count

197

Ranked #12,955

Modern count

963

2016, ranked #5,971

Peak year

2014

986 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gibney had 197 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,955 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 963 in 2016, ranked #5,971.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 320 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Gibney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gibney surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gibney 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 133 #14,106
1861 historical 118 #18,512
1881 historical 197 #12,955
1891 historical 249 #12,813
1901 historical 320 #11,142
1911 historical 267 #12,360
1997 modern 860 #6,180
1998 modern 890 #6,212
1999 modern 911 #6,146
2000 modern 907 #6,142
2001 modern 907 #6,051
2002 modern 923 #6,079
2003 modern 923 #5,961
2004 modern 932 #5,917
2005 modern 909 #5,981
2006 modern 921 #5,931
2007 modern 930 #5,936
2008 modern 939 #5,936
2009 modern 972 #5,891
2010 modern 985 #5,947
2011 modern 974 #5,930
2012 modern 964 #5,906
2013 modern 979 #5,918
2014 modern 986 #5,928
2015 modern 968 #5,972
2016 modern 963 #5,971

Geography

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Where Gibneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, West Derby and Wallasey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Liverpool, Knowsley, West Oxfordshire and Auchinleck. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Toxteth Park Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 West Derby Lancashire
5 Wallasey Cheshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Liverpool 014 Liverpool
2 Liverpool 027 Liverpool
3 Knowsley 001 Knowsley
4 West Oxfordshire 003 West Oxfordshire
5 Auchinleck East Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gibney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gibney

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Gibney is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gibney 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

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

Meaning and origin of Gibney

The surname Gibney is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Gibbon," which means "little hawk" or "falcon." The name was initially found in County Monaghan, Ireland, where it was prominent among families living in the baronies of Farney and Cremorne.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gibney name appears in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In 1134, a chieftain named Gilla-na-noev O'Gibney is mentioned as a leader of the Ui Meith, a powerful dynasty in County Monaghan.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Gibney family played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars, supporting the Catholic cause against English forces. In 1641, Edmond Gibney, a landowner from County Monaghan, joined the Irish Rebellion and fought alongside Owen Roe O'Neill's troops.

The Gibneys were also known for their involvement in the literary and ecclesiastical spheres. In the 18th century, Father Patrick Gibney (1720-1789) was a renowned Irish scholar and author who wrote extensively on Irish history and culture.

Another notable figure was John Gibney (1825-1903), a prominent Irish lawyer and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Meath from 1880 to 1885 and played a crucial role in the Irish Home Rule movement.

In the 20th century, James Gibney (1915-1997) gained recognition as a respected American novelist and short story writer. His works often explored themes of Irish-American identity and the immigrant experience.

Other individuals with the Gibney surname who have made significant contributions include:

1. Norah Gibney (1892-1956), an Irish poet and playwright known for her works on Irish mythology and folklore. 2. Frank Gibney (1924-2006), an American journalist and author who covered Asia and wrote extensively about Japan and China. 3. Erin Gibney (born 1975), an American artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums across the United States. 4. John Gibney (born 1949), an Irish politician and former member of the European Parliament, representing the Dublin constituency. 5. Michael Gibney (born 1967), an Irish chef and food writer who has authored several cookbooks and served as a judge on the television show "MasterChef Ireland."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gibney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gibney 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 79 Gibneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.46x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 79 3.46x
Yorkshire 16 0.84x
Cheshire 12 2.83x
Middlesex 10 0.52x
Nottinghamshire 10 3.86x
Somerset 9 2.91x
Ayrshire 8 5.56x
Durham 8 1.40x
Derbyshire 7 2.33x
Staffordshire 6 0.92x
Warwickshire 5 1.03x
Devon 4 1.00x
Cumberland 3 1.81x
Hampshire 3 0.76x
Kent 3 0.46x
Midlothian 3 1.17x
West Lothian 3 10.37x
Lanarkshire 2 0.32x
Lincolnshire 2 0.65x
Perthshire 2 2.32x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.64x
Suffolk 1 0.43x

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 33 Gibneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.83x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 33 23.83x
West Derby 17 25.48x
Nottingham St Mary 9 13.43x
Taunton St James 9 199.56x
Durham St Nicholas 8 571.43x
Toxteth Park 8 10.36x
Eckington 7 95.76x
Everton 7 9.63x
Almondbury 6 65.15x
Gate Fulford 6 134.83x
Birkenhead 5 14.78x
Birmingham 5 3.10x
Irvine 5 125.31x
St Pancras London 5 3.23x
Wolverhampton 5 10.02x
Great Torrington 4 176.21x
Caldewgate 3 33.08x
Hindley 3 30.86x
Knutsford Nether 3 117.19x
St Marylebone London 3 2.92x
Stockport 3 13.74x
Whitburn 3 71.77x
Woolwich 3 12.39x
Blairgowrie 2 58.65x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 1.93x
Fareham 2 42.28x
Preston 2 3.28x
Riccarton 2 92.17x
Salford 2 2.98x
Aldershot 1 7.58x
Barony 1 0.64x
Blantyre 1 15.46x
Clee With Weelsby 1 14.86x
Dodworth 1 50.51x
Great Budworth 1 133.33x
Hackney London 1 0.93x
Hawstead 1 454.55x
Holy Trinity 1 2.18x
Kensington London 1 0.94x
Kimberworth 1 9.46x
Kirkdale 1 2.61x
Lenton 1 16.39x
North Meols 1 4.48x
Over Darwen 1 5.49x
Parr 1 12.25x
Pembroke St Mary 1 12.72x
Sculcoates 1 3.31x
South Leith 1 3.45x
St Margaret Lincoln 1 357.14x
Stewarton 1 35.09x
Wavertree 1 13.70x
Wigan 1 3.14x
Willenhall 1 8.23x
Wrightington 1 100.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 8
Sarah 7
Jane 6
Annie 4
Ellen 4
Margaret 4
Emily 3
Margt. 3
Alice 2
Ann 2
Frances 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Arrabella 1
Bridget 1
Bridgett 1
Cathe.M. 1
Delicia 1
Eileen 1
Elinor 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
George 1
Georgina 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Henriette 1
Honora 1
Julia 1
Lily 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 15
William 10
James 9
Thomas 7
Edward 4
Robert 4
Joseph 3
Patrick 3
Bernard 2
David 2
George 2
Mathew 2
Michael 2
Antony 1
Bryan 1
Byron 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Gerald 1
Jno. 1
Luke 1
Mark 1
Nicholas 1
Peter 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Gibney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gibney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 197 people were recorded with the Gibney surname. That placed it at #12,955 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gibney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 963 in 2016. That gives Gibney a modern rank of #5,971.

What does the Gibney surname mean?

Derived from the Irish Gaelic surname "Ó Gíobúnaidh," meaning "descendant of Gíobúnaidh," a personal name of unknown meaning.

What does the Gibney map show?

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