NameCensus.

UK surname

Hehir

An Irish surname derived from Ó hIr meaning "descendant of the traveler or wanderer".

In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Hehir surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 462, ranked #10,607, up from #29,484 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cheshire East, Tewkesbury and North Hertfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hehir is 480 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1493.1%.

1881 census count

29

Ranked #29,484

Modern count

462

2016, ranked #10,607

Peak year

2014

480 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hehir had 29 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,484 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016, ranked #10,607.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 71 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hehir surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hehir surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hehir 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 19 #31,470
1881 historical 29 #29,484
1891 historical 28 #32,046
1901 historical 51 #28,492
1911 historical 71 #25,742
1997 modern 422 #10,571
1998 modern 431 #10,754
1999 modern 434 #10,784
2000 modern 445 #10,539
2001 modern 439 #10,447
2002 modern 452 #10,408
2003 modern 437 #10,539
2004 modern 454 #10,229
2005 modern 441 #10,368
2006 modern 447 #10,289
2007 modern 462 #10,143
2008 modern 463 #10,204
2009 modern 473 #10,269
2010 modern 467 #10,570
2011 modern 464 #10,524
2012 modern 463 #10,457
2013 modern 479 #10,343
2014 modern 480 #10,405
2015 modern 468 #10,518
2016 modern 462 #10,607

Geography

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Where Hehirs 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 Cheshire East, Tewkesbury, North Hertfordshire, Wiltshire and Greenwich. 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 Cheshire East 016 Cheshire East
2 Tewkesbury 005 Tewkesbury
3 North Hertfordshire 011 North Hertfordshire
4 Wiltshire 027 Wiltshire
5 Greenwich 015 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hehir

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hehir

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Hehir surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hehir 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hehir is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Hehir 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

Hehir falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hehir is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Hehir

The surname Hehir has its roots in Ireland, originating from the Gaelic language and tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from the Irish word "iachtar," meaning "lower" or "nether," suggesting a connection to a specific location or landscape feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hehir can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention several individuals bearing this surname, indicating its presence in various parts of Ireland during that time period.

The name Hehir is closely associated with County Clare, where it is considered a prominent surname. It is thought to have originated in the Burren region, a unique and rugged karst landscape in the northern part of the county. The Hehirs were among the leading families in this area, and their name may have been derived from the local topography or a specific place within the Burren.

In the 16th century, historical records mention Dermot O'Hehir (c. 1550-1625), a notable Irish chieftain and landowner from County Clare. He played a significant role in the tumultuous events of the time, including the Desmond Rebellions and the Nine Years' War.

Another notable figure was Donough Hehir (c. 1670-1745), a renowned Irish poet and scholar from County Clare. He was highly regarded for his mastery of the Irish language and his contributions to preserving the rich literary traditions of the region.

In the 18th century, John Hehir (1705-1781) was a prominent merchant and landowner from Ennis, County Clare. He was instrumental in the development of the town's economic and social fabric, leaving a lasting impact on the local community.

Moving into the 19th century, Michael Hehir (1820-1892) was a respected educator and author from County Clare. He played a significant role in promoting Irish language and culture through his writings and teachings, contributing to the preservation of Ireland's cultural heritage.

Throughout history, the surname Hehir has been associated with various spellings and variations, such as Heher, Hehir, Heheir, and Hehyr, reflecting the fluidity of name transcription and regional variations in pronunciation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hehir families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hehir 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. Yorkshire leads with 8 Hehirs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.85x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 8 2.85x
Kent 6 6.22x
Radnorshire 5 219.30x
Devon 4 6.79x
Lancashire 2 0.60x
Surrey 2 1.45x
Essex 1 1.79x
Hampshire 1 1.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pudsey in Yorkshire leads with 8 Hehirs recorded in 1881 and an index of 533.33x.

Place Total Index
Pudsey 8 533.33x
Woolwich 6 168.54x
Presteigne 5 3571.43x
Kingston 4 8000.00x
Camberwell 2 11.07x
Liverpool 2 9.81x
Farnborough 1 163.93x
South Shoebury 1 454.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Julia 2
Alice 1
Henrietta 1
Honorah 1
Larisa 1
Lilian 1
Sally 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 5
Michael 3
James 2
Andrew 1
Joseph 1
Mortimer 1
Partrick 1
Patrick 1
Patsey 1
William 1

FAQ

Hehir surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hehir surname in 1881?

In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Hehir surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hehir surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016. That gives Hehir a modern rank of #10,607.

What does the Hehir surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from Ó hIr meaning "descendant of the traveler or wanderer".

What does the Hehir map show?

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