NameCensus.

UK surname

Kelliher

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Céileachair," meaning "descendant of Céileachar," a personal name of uncertain meaning.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Kelliher surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 310, ranked #14,406, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southwark, Hillingdon and Halton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kelliher is 331 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2718.2%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

310

2016, ranked #14,406

Peak year

2010

331 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kelliher had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016, ranked #14,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 39 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kelliher surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kelliher surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kelliher 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 39 #29,799
1911 historical 38 #29,147
1997 modern 286 #13,942
1998 modern 298 #13,937
1999 modern 295 #14,108
2000 modern 305 #13,769
2001 modern 295 #13,867
2002 modern 311 #13,666
2003 modern 302 #13,752
2004 modern 296 #14,005
2005 modern 302 #13,788
2006 modern 321 #13,258
2007 modern 320 #13,442
2008 modern 320 #13,550
2009 modern 324 #13,689
2010 modern 331 #13,769
2011 modern 314 #14,165
2012 modern 322 #13,799
2013 modern 330 #13,777
2014 modern 322 #14,113
2015 modern 313 #14,313
2016 modern 310 #14,406

Geography

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Where Kellihers 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 Southwark, Hillingdon, Halton, Gedling and West Oxfordshire. 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 Southwark 006 Southwark
2 Hillingdon 014 Hillingdon
3 Halton 012 Halton
4 Gedling 009 Gedling
5 West Oxfordshire 014 West Oxfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kelliher

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kelliher

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kelliher, 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 Kelliher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kelliher 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Kelliher is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kelliher 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

Kelliher falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kelliher 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 Kelliher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kelliher

The surname Kelliher is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "Ceallachair," which means "bright-headed" or "bright-haired." This name was likely given to someone with bright or reddish hair.

The Kelliher name is predominantly found in County Cork, Ireland, particularly in the Barony of Muskerry. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to 1601, when a Dermod Kelliher was listed in the Fiants of Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the Kellihers were among the families transplanted to County Clare during the Cromwellian Settlement. This resulted in the name being found in various areas of County Clare, particularly in the parish of Kilmurry Ibrickane.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In 1601, a "Ceallachair O'Clerigh" (Kelliher O'Clery) is mentioned as a participant in the Battle of Kinsale.

The name Kelliher has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Daniel Kelliher (1788-1858), an Irish politician and member of the British Parliament for the Dingle constituency.

Another prominent figure was Thomas Kelliher (1835-1902), an Irish-American businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Chicago from 1884 to 1885.

In the literary world, Kathleen Kelliher (1911-1996) was an Irish writer and playwright known for her works depicting rural Irish life.

John Kelliher (1918-2011) was a renowned Irish-American labor leader who served as the president of the International Union of Operating Engineers from 1965 to 1986.

More recently, Marty Kelliher (born 1955) is a former professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League.

While the Kelliher name has its roots in Ireland, it has been carried across the globe by Irish emigrants, and variations of the spelling, such as Kelleher or Kellihur, can be found in various parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kelliher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kelliher 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 6 Kellihers recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.17x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 6 6.17x
Hampshire 4 20.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 4 Kellihers recorded in 1881 and an index of 102.30x.

Place Total Index
Portsea 4 102.30x
St Luke London 3 192.31x
Harmondsworth 1 1666.67x
Poplar London 1 54.35x
St Pancras London 1 12.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellice 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Hugh 2
Michael 2
Cornelius 1
James 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kelliher households.

FAQ

Kelliher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kelliher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Kelliher surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kelliher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 310 in 2016. That gives Kelliher a modern rank of #14,406.

What does the Kelliher surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Céileachair," meaning "descendant of Céileachar," a personal name of uncertain meaning.

What does the Kelliher map show?

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