NameCensus.

UK surname

Heenan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó hEimhthigheirn," meaning "descendant of the swift lord."

In the 1881 census there were 241 people recorded with the Heenan surname, ranking it #11,374 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 888, ranked #6,363, up from #11,374 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Gateshead and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, Whitfield and Arbroath Harbour.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Heenan is 899 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 268.5%.

1881 census count

241

Ranked #11,374

Modern count

888

2016, ranked #6,363

Peak year

2010

899 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Heenan had 241 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,374 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 888 in 2016, ranked #6,363.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 420 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Heenan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Heenan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Heenan 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 24 #29,038
1861 historical 101 #20,955
1881 historical 241 #11,374
1891 historical 366 #9,508
1901 historical 420 #9,169
1911 historical 327 #10,742
1997 modern 744 #6,926
1998 modern 818 #6,643
1999 modern 842 #6,534
2000 modern 817 #6,664
2001 modern 801 #6,648
2002 modern 818 #6,648
2003 modern 788 #6,731
2004 modern 804 #6,642
2005 modern 798 #6,626
2006 modern 819 #6,496
2007 modern 843 #6,416
2008 modern 848 #6,439
2009 modern 865 #6,486
2010 modern 899 #6,389
2011 modern 887 #6,382
2012 modern 865 #6,435
2013 modern 881 #6,454
2014 modern 889 #6,438
2015 modern 889 #6,378
2016 modern 888 #6,363

Geography

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Where Heenans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Gateshead, Manchester, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, Whitfield, Arbroath Harbour, Arbroath Keptie and Friockheim. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 010 Bolsover
2 Whitfield Dundee City
3 Arbroath Harbour Angus
4 Arbroath Keptie Angus
5 Friockheim Angus

Forenames

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First names often paired with Heenan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Heenan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Heenan, 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

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Heenan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Heenan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Heenan is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Heenan is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Heenan 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 Heenan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Heenan

The surname Heenan is of Irish origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "Ó hEidhin," which means "descendant of Eidhin." Eidhin was an Irish personal name derived from the word "éidean," meaning "ivy."

The earliest records of the name Heenan can be traced back to County Sligo in the northwest of Ireland. It is believed that the family was part of the Gaelic nobility, holding lands and influence in the region. The name is found in various Irish annals and historical manuscripts from the 14th and 15th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Heenan is in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history written in the early 17th century. The annals mention a notable figure named Tomaltach Ó hEidhin, who was a prominent chieftain and warrior in the late 14th century.

The name Heenan has also been associated with several place names in Ireland, such as Ballyheenan and Cloonheenan, which further solidifies its Irish origins. Over time, the name has been subject to various spellings, such as Heenane, Heenan, and Heeney, due to the Anglicization of Irish names.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the Heenan surname. One of the most famous was John Heenan (1834-1873), an American bare-knuckle boxer known as the "Benicia Boy." He gained notoriety for his match against the English champion, Tom Sayers, in 1860, which ended in a draw after 37 rounds.

Another prominent figure was Alban Heenan (1879-1946), an Irish prelate who served as the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore from 1932 until his death. He played a significant role in the Catholic Church in Ireland during the early 20th century.

In the realm of literature, Patrick Heenan (1919-2008) was an Irish playwright and novelist known for his works exploring the lives of working-class families in Dublin. His play "The Cure" was widely acclaimed and performed both in Ireland and abroad.

The Heenan surname has also been prominent in the field of sports. One notable individual was Michael Heenan (1895-1975), an Australian tennis player who won several Grand Slam titles in the 1920s and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Another sports figure was John Heenan (1905-1986), an Australian cricketer who played for the Australian national team in the 1930s and was part of the famous "Bodyline" tour to England in 1932-33.

While the surname Heenan may not be as widespread as some other Irish names, it has a rich history and has been carried by many notable individuals throughout the centuries, reflecting the diverse contributions of those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Heenan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Heenan 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. Lanarkshire leads with 43 Heenans recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.68x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 43 5.68x
Lancashire 36 1.30x
Durham 32 4.59x
Yorkshire 19 0.82x
Middlesex 16 0.68x
Dunbartonshire 13 20.66x
Angus 11 5.07x
Lincolnshire 11 2.94x
Fife 9 6.49x
Monmouthshire 7 4.14x
Ayrshire 6 3.42x
Devon 5 1.03x
Hampshire 5 1.04x
Midlothian 5 1.59x
Cumberland 3 1.49x
Renfrewshire 3 1.65x
Surrey 3 0.26x
Argyllshire 2 3.07x
Northumberland 2 0.57x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.63x
Staffordshire 2 0.25x
Dorset 1 0.65x
Kent 1 0.13x
Selkirkshire 1 4.72x
Warwickshire 1 0.17x
Worcestershire 1 0.33x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 12 Heenans recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.26x.

Place Total Index
Barony 12 6.26x
Cardross 12 158.94x
Dundee 10 12.35x
Govan 10 5.34x
Liverpool 10 5.93x
Shotts 10 110.38x
Isleworth 9 86.46x
Ballingry 8 941.18x
Bedwellty 7 23.43x
Dawdon 7 81.68x
Glasgow 7 5.21x
Sharlston 7 460.53x
Heworth 6 43.73x
Medomsley 6 184.62x
Everton 5 5.65x
Owston 5 471.70x
Portsea 5 5.32x
South Leith 5 14.17x
Swinefleet 5 500.00x
Wolsingham 5 78.74x
Blantyre 4 50.76x
Great Grimsby 4 16.84x
Kirkdale 4 8.56x
Manchester 4 3.20x
Newton On Ayr 4 76.19x
Wolborough 4 64.94x
Bishopwearmouth 3 5.02x
Kyo 3 91.46x
Lambeth 3 1.47x
Nether Hallam 3 9.56x
Poplar London 3 6.79x
Salford 3 3.67x
St Cuthbert Within 3 128.76x
Ayr 2 24.18x
Blackburn 2 2.71x
Dunoon Kilmun 2 39.37x
Gainsborough 2 22.68x
Little Hulton 2 43.48x
Northowram 2 12.29x
Paisley Middle Church 2 18.94x
Warrington 2 6.07x
Worksop 2 21.37x
Addingham 1 57.80x
Birmingham 1 0.51x
Bonhill 1 9.90x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 12.00x
Crail 1 70.92x
Edmonton 1 5.30x
Gateshead 1 1.92x
Great Crosby 1 13.21x
Horwich 1 33.00x
Huddersfield 1 2.96x
Islington London 1 0.44x
Lidford 1 45.66x
Liff Benvie 1 3.04x
Mile End Old Town London 1 2.01x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 5.54x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 21.83x
Portland 1 12.11x
Selkirk 1 16.75x
St Giles In Fields London 1 8.71x
Thornley 1 39.68x
Wednesbury 1 5.06x
West Greenock 1 3.07x
Westleigh 1 15.85x
Withington 1 11.17x
Wolverhampton 1 1.65x
Worcester St Martin 1 24.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Margaret 7
Ellen 5
Catherine 4
Alice 3
Annie 3
Sarah 3
Elizabeth 2
Elizth. 2
H. 2
Hannah 2
Jane 2
Lucey 2
Ada 1
Ann 1
Bridgit 1
Cath. 1
Celesta 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Leah 1
M. 1
Margrate 1
Margt. 1
Margt.C. 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Patchu 1
Rosa 1
Sophia 1
Teresa 1
Winnifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
Thomas 8
James 5
Patrick 5
Michael 4
George 3
Robert 3
William 3
C. 2
Charles 2
Hugh 2
Jas. 2
Peter 2
W. 2
Constantine 1
Denis 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Martin 1
Morris 1
Nicholas 1
Patric 1
R. 1
Willi 1

FAQ

Heenan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Heenan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 241 people were recorded with the Heenan surname. That placed it at #11,374 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Heenan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 888 in 2016. That gives Heenan a modern rank of #6,363.

What does the Heenan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó hEimhthigheirn," meaning "descendant of the swift lord."

What does the Heenan map show?

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