NameCensus.

UK surname

Kielty

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "cuilteach" meaning cultivator or farmer.

In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Kielty surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 403, ranked #11,815, up from #31,170 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, Westminster and IZ08.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kielty is 417 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2270.6%.

1881 census count

17

Ranked #31,170

Modern count

403

2016, ranked #11,815

Peak year

2013

417 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kielty had 17 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,170 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 403 in 2016, ranked #11,815.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 67 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Kielty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kielty surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kielty 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 16 #31,832
1881 historical 17 #31,170
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 67 #26,703
1911 historical 52 #27,620
1997 modern 365 #11,804
1998 modern 367 #12,121
1999 modern 376 #11,979
2000 modern 380 #11,837
2001 modern 363 #12,057
2002 modern 388 #11,689
2003 modern 374 #11,828
2004 modern 378 #11,757
2005 modern 372 #11,813
2006 modern 384 #11,579
2007 modern 387 #11,652
2008 modern 400 #11,468
2009 modern 410 #11,503
2010 modern 416 #11,627
2011 modern 411 #11,617
2012 modern 410 #11,518
2013 modern 417 #11,556
2014 modern 412 #11,743
2015 modern 406 #11,781
2016 modern 403 #11,815

Geography

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Where Kieltys 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 Liverpool, Westminster, IZ08, Cheshire East and Trafford. 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 Liverpool 022 Liverpool
2 Westminster 002 Westminster
3 IZ08 West Dunbartonshire
4 Cheshire East 029 Cheshire East
5 Trafford 010 Trafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kielty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kielty

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Kielty surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kielty household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kielty 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

Kielty 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

Kielty falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Kielty

The surname Kielty originated in Ireland and is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "ciaológ" meaning "frequenter of churches or chapels". This name is believed to have first appeared in the county of Donegal in the northwest of Ireland.

The earliest known record of the surname Kielty can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history written in the early 17th century. In these annals, the name is spelled "Ciaológ" and refers to a family from the region of Inishowen in Donegal.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the anglicized spelling of "Kielty" began to emerge as the Gaelic name was adapted to the English language. This was a common occurrence as many Irish names were anglicized during this period.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Kielty surname was Patrick Kielty, a Catholic priest born in Donegal in 1620. He was known for his work in establishing several churches and chapels in the area, which may have contributed to the origin of the family name.

Another notable Kielty was John Kielty, born in County Tyrone in 1745. He was a prominent merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the economic development of the region during the late 18th century.

In the 19th century, the Kielty surname began to spread beyond Ireland as many Irish families emigrated to other parts of the world. One notable bearer of the name during this time was Michael Kielty, born in Donegal in 1820. He emigrated to the United States and became a successful businessman in New York City.

Other notable individuals with the surname Kielty include:

1. Patrick Kielty, a Northern Irish comedian and television presenter born in 1971. 2. Kathleen Kielty, an Irish actress and singer born in 1935 and known for her roles in several films and television shows. 3. John Kielty, an American baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox in the early 20th century, born in 1884. 4. James Kielty, an Irish politician and member of the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) in the 1920s, born in 1885. 5. Elizabeth Kielty, an Irish author and poet born in 1945, known for her works exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kielty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kielty 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 8 Kieltys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.07x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 8 4.07x
Yorkshire 4 2.44x
Renfrewshire 3 23.36x
Ayrshire 1 8.06x
Cambridgeshire 1 9.53x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heaton Norris in Lancashire leads with 7 Kieltys recorded in 1881 and an index of 625.00x.

Place Total Index
Heaton Norris 7 625.00x
Leeds 4 43.15x
Eaglesham 3 3750.00x
Auckinleck 1 263.16x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 32.05x
Wisbech St Mary 1 833.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bridget 1
Ellen 1
Jane 1
Keate 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Bernard 2
James 2
John 2
Joseph 1
Patrick 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 Kielty households.

FAQ

Kielty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kielty surname in 1881?

In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Kielty surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kielty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 403 in 2016. That gives Kielty a modern rank of #11,815.

What does the Kielty surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word "cuilteach" meaning cultivator or farmer.

What does the Kielty map show?

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