NameCensus.

UK surname

Hourigan

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hUragáin meaning "descendant of Uragán".

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Hourigan surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 348, ranked #13,233, up from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Willesden, Usk and Monkwearmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Balmalloch, Hambleton and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hourigan is 356 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1188.9%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

348

2016, ranked #13,233

Peak year

2013

356 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hourigan had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 348 in 2016, ranked #13,233.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 110 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Hourigan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hourigan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hourigan 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 13 #30,970
1861 historical 37 #29,339
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 39 #31,257
1901 historical 81 #25,130
1911 historical 110 #21,519
1997 modern 340 #12,428
1998 modern 351 #12,511
1999 modern 346 #12,726
2000 modern 353 #12,480
2001 modern 335 #12,759
2002 modern 332 #13,090
2003 modern 313 #13,443
2004 modern 320 #13,311
2005 modern 330 #12,939
2006 modern 319 #13,318
2007 modern 327 #13,229
2008 modern 322 #13,487
2009 modern 335 #13,381
2010 modern 342 #13,440
2011 modern 350 #13,086
2012 modern 335 #13,408
2013 modern 356 #13,016
2014 modern 353 #13,183
2015 modern 346 #13,284
2016 modern 348 #13,233

Geography

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Where Hourigans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Willesden, Usk, Monkwearmouth, Workington (Workington), Clossocks and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Balmalloch, Hambleton, Manchester, Leeds and Wandsworth. 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 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Usk Monmouthshire
3 Monkwearmouth Durham
4 Workington (Workington), Clossocks Cumberland
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Balmalloch North Lanarkshire
2 Hambleton 010 Hambleton
3 Manchester 008 Manchester
4 Leeds 023 Leeds
5 Wandsworth 032 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hourigan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hourigan

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Hourigan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Hourigan 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hourigan 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

Hourigan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Hourigan

The surname Hourigan originates from Ireland, with its roots dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "O'hUrachain," which means "descendant of Urachain." The name Urachain itself is thought to be a diminutive form of the Irish personal name Oran, meaning "little pale one."

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Hourigan can be found in various Irish historical records and manuscripts, such as the Annals of the Four Masters and the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns. These records often mention individuals with variations of the name, such as O'Hurachain, O'Hurraghane, and O'Hourecan.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Hourigan surname was Donough O'Hourecan, who was mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters in the year 1585. He was described as a prominent leader in County Clare, Ireland.

During the 17th century, the Hourigan surname began to spread throughout other parts of Ireland, particularly in counties like Limerick and Tipperary. One notable figure from this period was John Hourigan, a landowner and member of the Irish Parliament, who lived from 1620 to 1692.

In the 18th century, the Hourigan name appeared in various records related to the Penal Laws, which discriminated against Catholics in Ireland. Despite facing persecution, some Hourigans managed to maintain their landholdings and social status.

One notable Hourigan from the 19th century was William Hourigan, a poet and author born in County Limerick in 1818. His works, which often celebrated Irish culture and traditions, gained him recognition throughout Ireland and beyond.

Another significant figure was Thomas Hourigan, a prominent lawyer and judge who lived from 1824 to 1898. He served as a judge in the High Court of Ireland and was known for his fair and impartial rulings.

In the 20th century, the Hourigan surname continued to be associated with various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts. One notable example is Michael Hourigan, a respected historian and academic who specialized in Irish history and literature. He was born in 1920 and made significant contributions to the study of Irish culture and society.

While the Hourigan surname has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to Irish emigration. Nevertheless, the name remains closely tied to its Irish heritage and continues to hold a significant place in the history and culture of the Emerald Isle.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hourigan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hourigan 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. Middlesex leads with 9 Hourigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.18x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 9 3.18x
Oxfordshire 7 40.09x
Lancashire 4 1.19x
Surrey 4 2.90x
Royal Navy 2 59.35x
Cheshire 1 1.60x
Monmouthshire 1 4.89x
Yorkshire 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Willesden in Middlesex leads with 8 Hourigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 299.63x.

Place Total Index
Willesden 8 299.63x
Oxford St Ebbe 7 1372.55x
Battersea 4 38.42x
Widnes 4 165.29x
Royal Navy 2 69.44x
Bedwellty 1 27.70x
Chelsea London 1 11.74x
Higher Bebington 1 250.00x
Liversedge 1 80.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Catherine 1
Ellen 1
Georgina 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 6
John 4
Daniel 2
Patrick 2
Edmund 1
Frederick 1
Jeremiah 1
Mike 1
Permian 1

FAQ

Hourigan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hourigan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Hourigan surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hourigan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 348 in 2016. That gives Hourigan a modern rank of #13,233.

What does the Hourigan surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hUragáin meaning "descendant of Uragán".

What does the Hourigan map show?

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