NameCensus.

UK surname

Heneghan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hEanacháin meaning descendant of Eanachán.

In the 1881 census there were 54 people recorded with the Heneghan surname, ranking it #26,009 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 752, ranked #7,274, up from #26,009 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Telford and Wrekin, Oldham and Wigan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Heneghan is 768 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1292.6%.

1881 census count

54

Ranked #26,009

Modern count

752

2016, ranked #7,274

Peak year

2010

768 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Heneghan had 54 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,009 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 752 in 2016, ranked #7,274.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 92 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Heneghan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Heneghan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Heneghan 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 14 #30,790
1881 historical 54 #26,009
1891 historical 19 #32,642
1901 historical 92 #23,800
1911 historical 86 #24,243
1997 modern 647 #7,677
1998 modern 671 #7,727
1999 modern 686 #7,633
2000 modern 705 #7,449
2001 modern 695 #7,414
2002 modern 727 #7,285
2003 modern 724 #7,192
2004 modern 747 #7,040
2005 modern 724 #7,139
2006 modern 713 #7,254
2007 modern 726 #7,244
2008 modern 740 #7,176
2009 modern 760 #7,177
2010 modern 768 #7,260
2011 modern 749 #7,316
2012 modern 736 #7,331
2013 modern 767 #7,209
2014 modern 759 #7,302
2015 modern 760 #7,224
2016 modern 752 #7,274

Geography

Back to top

Where Heneghans 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 Telford and Wrekin, Oldham, Wigan, Leeds and Shropshire. 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 Telford and Wrekin 021 Telford and Wrekin
2 Oldham 004 Oldham
3 Wigan 027 Wigan
4 Leeds 015 Leeds
5 Shropshire 011 Shropshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Heneghan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Heneghan

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Heneghan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Heneghan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Heneghan is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Heneghan 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

Heneghan falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Heneghan 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Heneghan

The surname Heneghan originated in Ireland during the 12th century. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name O'hEineachain, which means "descendant of Eignechan". The name is believed to have originated in County Sligo, a region in the northwest of Ireland.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Heneghan dates back to the 13th century, where it appeared in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history. The name was also found in various Irish manuscripts and records from the 14th and 15th centuries.

During the 16th century, the name Heneghan was widely associated with the Gaelic nobility and ruling families in County Sligo. One notable figure from this period was Terence Heneghan, a chieftain and landowner who lived in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the Heneghan family played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars, a conflict between the Irish Catholic nobility and the English Parliamentarian forces. Brian Heneghan, born in 1612, was a prominent military leader during this period.

As Ireland experienced the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century, many Heneghan families were forced to resettle in other parts of the country, leading to the dispersion of the name throughout Ireland.

In the 18th century, the name Heneghan became more widespread, with several notable individuals bearing the surname. John Heneghan, born in 1723, was a renowned Irish poet and playwright, while Patrick Heneghan, born in 1745, was a prominent Catholic clergyman and educator.

The 19th century saw the emigration of many Irish families, including the Heneghans, to other parts of the world, particularly the United States, Canada, and Australia. One notable figure from this period was Michael Heneghan, born in 1840, who became a successful businessman and philanthropist in New York City.

Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has evolved, with variations such as Henehan, Henaghan, and Henigan being recorded in various historical documents and records.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Heneghan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Heneghan 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 23 Heneghans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.68x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 23 3.68x
Yorkshire 11 2.11x
Ayrshire 8 20.29x
Cheshire 6 5.16x
Flintshire 2 14.12x
Middlesex 2 0.38x
Durham 1 0.64x
Midlothian 1 1.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wardleworth in Lancashire leads with 12 Heneghans recorded in 1881 and an index of 336.13x.

Place Total Index
Wardleworth 12 336.13x
Loudoun 8 842.11x
Heckmondwike 6 357.14x
Stockport 6 100.33x
Warrington 6 80.97x
Leeds 4 13.57x
Worsley 4 103.90x
Flint 2 250.00x
Wapping London 2 500.00x
Edinburgh Old Church 1 175.44x
Everton 1 5.02x
Winlaton 1 66.67x
Yarm 1 370.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Margaret 4
Anne 2
Bridget 2
Catherine 1
Elizabeth 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 6
John 5
Thomas 5
Francis 2
Dennis 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
William 1

FAQ

Heneghan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Heneghan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 54 people were recorded with the Heneghan surname. That placed it at #26,009 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Heneghan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 752 in 2016. That gives Heneghan a modern rank of #7,274.

What does the Heneghan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hEanacháin meaning descendant of Eanachán.

What does the Heneghan map show?

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