NameCensus.

UK surname

Herlihy

Derived from the Irish surname Ó hIarfhlatha, meaning "descendant of Iarfhlaith," a personal name meaning "lord of the west."

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Herlihy surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 480, ranked #10,292, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ashford, Selby and Redditch.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herlihy is 489 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3328.6%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

480

2016, ranked #10,292

Peak year

2013

489 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Herlihy had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 480 in 2016, ranked #10,292.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 73 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities.

Herlihy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Herlihy surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Herlihy 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 6 #32,278
1861 historical 16 #31,832
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 34 #31,604
1901 historical 73 #26,069
1911 historical 67 #26,152
1997 modern 423 #10,550
1998 modern 443 #10,526
1999 modern 446 #10,513
2000 modern 447 #10,497
2001 modern 440 #10,434
2002 modern 478 #9,963
2003 modern 434 #10,588
2004 modern 415 #10,989
2005 modern 421 #10,762
2006 modern 426 #10,712
2007 modern 454 #10,264
2008 modern 457 #10,292
2009 modern 467 #10,372
2010 modern 464 #10,633
2011 modern 459 #10,607
2012 modern 470 #10,332
2013 modern 489 #10,195
2014 modern 484 #10,338
2015 modern 481 #10,296
2016 modern 480 #10,292

Geography

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Where Herlihys 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 Ashford, Selby, Redditch, Gosport and Shawlands West. 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 Ashford 010 Ashford
2 Selby 004 Selby
3 Redditch 007 Redditch
4 Gosport 003 Gosport
5 Shawlands West Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Herlihy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Herlihy

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

Baseline UK

Group

Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities

Nationally, the Herlihy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy Industrial and Coastal Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Herlihy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Single-person households are common in these neighbourhoods, and these residents are typically divorced rather than never married. A high proportion of residents were born outside the UK in the EU. There are many young adults, some with young children, but relatively few residents are of normal retirement age or over. Although levels of identification with ethnic minorities are in line with the Supergroup average, individuals identifying with Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is more common than average. High long-term disability rates are observed, and unpaid care is more common than in the rest of the Group. The predominant housing types are terraced houses and flats, which are typically part of the social rented sector. This Group is commonly found in coastal areas and (present-day or former) industrial towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Herlihy 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

Herlihy 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

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

Meaning and origin of Herlihy

The surname Herlihy is of Irish origin, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the old Gaelic words "O'hIrluachra," which translates to "descendant of the man from the rushy land." This name references the ancestral homeland of the Herlihy clan, which was situated in the marshy regions of County Cork, Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Herlihy can be found in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of Irish history from the 5th to the 13th centuries. This ancient manuscript mentions a notable figure named Diarmaid O'hIrluachra, who lived in the late 12th century and was a prominent leader in the region.

The Herlihy name also appears in various land records and rent rolls from the 16th and 17th centuries, indicating their presence in counties like Cork, Kerry, and Limerick. During this period, the name was often spelled differently, such as O'Hirluachra, O'Hirlihy, and O'Herlihy, reflecting the fluid nature of surnames in those times.

Notable individuals bearing the Herlihy surname throughout history include John Herlihy (1760-1828), an Irish poet and schoolteacher from County Cork, known for his works in the Irish language. Another prominent figure was Michael Herlihy (1785-1862), a Catholic priest and educator who founded several schools in County Cork.

In the 19th century, Jeremiah Herlihy (1832-1905) gained recognition as a successful businessman and landowner in Cork. He played a significant role in the development of the city's infrastructure and was involved in various civic projects.

Moving into the 20th century, Patrick Herlihy (1920-1997) was a renowned Irish historian and author, best known for his publications on the history of Cork and its surrounding regions. His works provided valuable insights into the cultural and social fabric of the area.

Lastly, Maureen Herlihy (1938-2018) was a celebrated artist and sculptor from County Kerry. Her works, often inspired by Irish mythology and folklore, were exhibited in various galleries and museums across Ireland and internationally.

While the Herlihy name may have evolved in spelling over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic clans of Ireland, reflecting a rich heritage and a strong connection to the land.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Herlihy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herlihy 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. Devon leads with 6 Herlihys recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.73x.

County Total Index
Devon 6 19.73x
Middlesex 5 3.42x
Cheshire 1 3.10x
Gloucestershire 1 3.49x
Kent 1 2.01x
Royal Navy 1 57.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Malborough in Devon leads with 6 Herlihys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
Malborough 6 5000.00x
Fulham London 3 141.51x
Birkenhead 1 38.91x
Bitton Oldland 1 344.83x
Bow London 1 53.76x
Greenwich 1 42.92x
Mile End Old Town London 1 32.15x
Royal Navy 1 67.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Cath. 1
Hannah 1
Honora 1
Julia 1
Lizzie 1
Mary 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 1
Hob 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Sidney 1
W.A. 1
William 1
Willy 1

FAQ

Herlihy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Herlihy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Herlihy surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Herlihy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 480 in 2016. That gives Herlihy a modern rank of #10,292.

What does the Herlihy surname mean?

Derived from the Irish surname Ó hIarfhlatha, meaning "descendant of Iarfhlaith," a personal name meaning "lord of the west."

What does the Herlihy map show?

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