UK surname
An English surname derived from the sport of hurling or related to a seller of hurling sticks.
In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Hurling surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 63, ranked #34,163, down from #19,296 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bennington, London parishes and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hurling is 142 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 39.4%.
1881 census count
104
Ranked #19,296
Modern count
63
2016, ranked #34,163
Peak year
1911
142 bearers
Map years
4
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hurling surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hurling surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 23 | #29,205 |
| 1861 | historical | 72 | #24,643 |
| 1881 | historical | 104 | #19,296 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 124 | #20,163 |
| 1911 | historical | 142 | #18,487 |
| 1997 | modern | 83 | #29,216 |
| 1998 | modern | 80 | #29,966 |
| 1999 | modern | 79 | #30,243 |
| 2000 | modern | 78 | #30,361 |
| 2001 | modern | 73 | #30,699 |
| 2002 | modern | 74 | #31,048 |
| 2003 | modern | 68 | #31,689 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 70 | #31,912 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 70 | #32,580 |
| 2008 | modern | 69 | #32,962 |
| 2009 | modern | 75 | #32,733 |
| 2010 | modern | 74 | #33,167 |
| 2011 | modern | 80 | #32,652 |
| 2012 | modern | 66 | #33,901 |
| 2013 | modern | 67 | #33,939 |
| 2014 | modern | 62 | #34,281 |
| 2015 | modern | 63 | #34,178 |
| 2016 | modern | 63 | #34,163 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bennington, London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, Hendon and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Hendon | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hurling surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hurling, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hurling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hurling household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hurling is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hurling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hurling, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hurling has its origins in Ireland, with the earliest records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Irish Gaelic word "iománaíocht," which means "the game of hurling." Hurling is an ancient Irish sport, played with a small ball called a sliotar and a wooden stick called a hurley.
In the 16th century, the name Hurling appeared in various Irish records, such as the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns and the Annals of the Four Masters. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Seán Ó hUirlingín, who lived in County Cork in the mid-16th century.
The Hurling surname was particularly prevalent in the southern counties of Ireland, including Cork, Waterford, and Tipperary. Some variations of the spelling included Hurlen, Hurlin, and Hurlinge, which were likely influenced by regional dialects and the anglicization of Irish names.
In the 17th century, the name Hurling appeared in the Irish Annals, where it was mentioned in connection with various historical events and individuals. For example, Tadhg Hurling was a prominent figure in the Irish Rebellion of 1641, fighting against the English forces in County Cork.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, several notable individuals bore the Hurling surname. One such person was Patrick Hurling (1753-1826), an Irish Catholic priest and educator who established a successful school in Cork City. Another was Michael Hurling (1789-1872), a wealthy merchant and landowner in County Waterford.
In the 20th century, the name Hurling gained further recognition due to the popularity of the sport of hurling. One of the most famous individuals with this surname was Christy Ring (1920-1979), a legendary hurler from Cork who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Other notable Hurlings included John Hurling (1901-1968), a successful businessman and philanthropist from County Tipperary, and Séamus Hurling (1932-2005), a respected historian and author who wrote extensively about the history of hurling and Irish culture.
While the surname Hurling is not as widespread as some other Irish names, it has a rich history and cultural significance, rooted in the ancient traditions of the Irish game of hurling. The name continues to be associated with this beloved sport and the counties where it has thrived for centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hurling surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lincolnshire leads with 43 Hurlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.51x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 43 | 26.51x |
| Middlesex | 34 | 3.35x |
| Surrey | 9 | 1.82x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 2.89x |
| Cumberland | 4 | 4.58x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.25x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.66x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.29x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.89x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Spalding in Lincolnshire leads with 24 Hurlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 745.34x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Spalding | 24 | 745.34x |
| Shoreditch London | 18 | 40.94x |
| Hendon | 11 | 301.37x |
| Portsea | 6 | 14.72x |
| Weston | 6 | 2068.97x |
| Bennington By Boston | 5 | 2631.58x |
| Workington | 4 | 80.00x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 4.63x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 3.39x |
| Sutton St Mary St James | 3 | 1578.95x |
| Blackburn | 2 | 6.25x |
| Darlington | 2 | 17.17x |
| Moulton | 2 | 256.41x |
| Penge | 2 | 30.86x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 2.27x |
| Fleet | 1 | 217.39x |
| Godalming | 1 | 32.15x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 6.19x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.76x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 6.33x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.02x |
| Leicester St Mary | 1 | 11.00x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.37x |
| Norwich St Stephen | 1 | 69.93x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 5.22x |
| St Peterat Gowts Lincoln | 1 | 43.86x |
| Sutton St Mary | 1 | 65.36x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hurling surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hurling surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Hurling surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 63 in 2016. That gives Hurling a modern rank of #34,163.
An English surname derived from the sport of hurling or related to a seller of hurling sticks.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hurling bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.