NameCensus.

UK surname

Kilroy

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Giolla Rua," meaning "son of the red-haired servant."

In the 1881 census there were 503 people recorded with the Kilroy surname, ranking it #6,747 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 735, ranked #7,416, down from #6,747 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Manchester and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Chesterfield and Oldham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kilroy is 803 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.1%.

1881 census count

503

Ranked #6,747

Modern count

735

2016, ranked #7,416

Peak year

2002

803 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kilroy had 503 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,747 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 735 in 2016, ranked #7,416.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 551 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Kilroy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kilroy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kilroy 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 255 #8,652
1861 historical 275 #9,082
1881 historical 503 #6,747
1891 historical 466 #7,861
1901 historical 520 #7,818
1911 historical 551 #7,274
1997 modern 766 #6,768
1998 modern 759 #7,030
1999 modern 781 #6,930
2000 modern 797 #6,799
2001 modern 769 #6,849
2002 modern 803 #6,754
2003 modern 760 #6,937
2004 modern 782 #6,800
2005 modern 750 #6,960
2006 modern 766 #6,868
2007 modern 781 #6,822
2008 modern 766 #6,986
2009 modern 776 #7,059
2010 modern 795 #7,065
2011 modern 789 #7,033
2012 modern 775 #7,041
2013 modern 772 #7,178
2014 modern 762 #7,268
2015 modern 742 #7,364
2016 modern 735 #7,416

Geography

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Where Kilroys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Manchester, St Marylebone, Liverpool and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Manchester, Chesterfield, Oldham, Rochdale and Knowsley. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Manchester 002 Manchester
2 Chesterfield 001 Chesterfield
3 Oldham 030 Oldham
4 Rochdale 022 Rochdale
5 Knowsley 004 Knowsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kilroy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kilroy

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

Challenged Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Kilroy is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Kilroy is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kilroy 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 Kilroy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kilroy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kilroy

The surname Kilroy is believed to have originated in Ireland, specifically in the province of Munster. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic words "cill" meaning church and "ruaidh" meaning red or ruddy. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a red or ruddy-colored church.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Kilroy can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various Irish annals and manuscripts. It was often spelled as "Ó Cillruaidh" or "Ó Cillruaidhe," which translates to "descendant of Cillruaidh."

In the 14th century, the name Kilroy was mentioned in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. This reference was in connection with a prominent family from County Cork, known as the Kilroy clan.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname Kilroy was John Kilroy, born around 1520 in County Tipperary. He was a notable landowner and chieftain of his clan during the 16th century.

Another historical figure bearing the name was Donogh Kilroy, who lived in County Limerick during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was a prominent member of the Irish gentry and played a role in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule.

In the 18th century, a notable Kilroy was James Kilroy, born in 1745 in County Cork. He was a renowned scholar and poet who wrote extensively in the Irish language.

During the 19th century, the name Kilroy gained recognition through the accomplishments of Michael Kilroy, born in 1818 in County Tipperary. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the local community.

Another notable figure from the 19th century was Patrick Kilroy, born in 1832 in County Clare. He was a prominent politician and served as a member of the British Parliament, representing Irish constituencies.

While the name Kilroy has its roots in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to Irish immigration. Over the centuries, various branches of the Kilroy family have established themselves in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kilroy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kilroy 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 209 Kilroys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.55x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 209 3.55x
Yorkshire 78 1.59x
Cheshire 61 5.57x
Middlesex 53 1.07x
Kent 15 0.89x
Lanarkshire 13 0.81x
Warwickshire 13 1.04x
Shropshire 10 2.33x
Derbyshire 8 1.03x
Wigtownshire 8 12.13x
Devon 7 0.68x
Staffordshire 6 0.36x
Channel Islands 4 2.72x
Dunbartonshire 4 3.00x
Glamorgan 3 0.35x
Leicestershire 3 0.54x
Angus 2 0.43x
Pembrokeshire 2 1.27x
Renfrewshire 2 0.52x
Royal Navy 2 3.38x
Worcestershire 2 0.31x
Hampshire 1 0.10x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 1.39x
Midlothian 1 0.15x
Norfolk 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 30 Kilroys recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.14x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 30 19.14x
Liverpool 24 6.71x
Stockport 24 42.55x
St Marylebone London 22 8.30x
Manchester 21 7.93x
Dukinfield 19 37.51x
Great Bolton 17 21.78x
Widnes 17 40.00x
Leeds 16 5.76x
Batley 14 29.94x
Kensington London 14 5.07x
Warrington 14 20.04x
Hougham 11 109.24x
Shifnal 10 85.84x
Birmingham 9 2.16x
Wigan 9 10.93x
Keighley 8 15.26x
Toxteth Park 8 4.01x
Bingley 7 22.34x
Birkenhead 7 8.01x
Crompton 7 41.72x
Heaton Norris 7 20.88x
Oldham 7 3.68x
Sorbie 7 243.06x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 6 13.09x
Chesterfield 6 20.59x
Dewsbury 6 11.89x
Hackney London 6 2.16x
Leftwich 6 123.20x
Wardleworth 6 17.82x
Clitheroe 5 28.84x
Eccleston In Prescot 5 16.90x
Glasgow 5 1.75x
Plymstock 5 92.42x
Wolverhampton 5 3.88x
Worsbrough 5 34.67x
Aston 4 1.16x
Bury 4 5.94x
Newton 4 8.81x
Old Kilpatrick 4 25.36x
Preston 4 2.54x
Swinefleet 4 188.68x
Aberavon 3 37.69x
Bradford 3 2.52x
Charlton Next Woolwich 3 16.98x
Clifford Cum Boston 3 67.87x
Fulham London 3 4.17x
Govan 3 0.76x
St George Martyr London 3 29.82x
St Michaelinthe Vale 3 57.14x
Abbey 2 3.41x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 4.27x
Leicester Newarke 2 69.69x
Liff Benvie 2 2.86x
Newton In Ashton Under 2 18.50x
Old Monkland 2 3.14x
Pembroke St Mary 2 9.84x
Royal Navy 2 3.95x
Staveley 2 14.49x
Wakefield 2 5.30x
West Derby 2 1.16x
Abbotsham 1 125.00x
Castleton 1 1.70x
Chadderton 1 3.47x
Crumpsall 1 7.20x
Elton 1 4.91x
Fulwood 1 15.70x
Halifax 1 1.38x
Hammersmith London 1 0.82x
Kells 1 60.61x
Kidderminster Borough 1 2.64x
Lidford 1 21.55x
Little Crosby 1 105.26x
New Monkland 1 2.11x
Paddington London 1 0.55x
Portsea 1 0.50x
Smallthorne 1 16.08x
Spitalfields London 1 2.68x
Stillingfleet With 1 161.29x
Wavertree 1 5.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 60
Bridget 22
Catherine 21
Margaret 18
Ellen 16
Ann 14
Annie 9
Elizabeth 8
Sarah 6
Jane 5
Maria 4
Hannah 3
Isabella 3
Kate 3
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Catharine 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Helen 2
Louisa 2
Alice 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Betsy 1
Charlotte 1
Christline 1
Clara 1
Daisy 1
Eliz.Margaret 1
Esther 1
Frances 1
Honora 1
Janet 1
Jessie 1
Katey 1
Lizzie 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
M. 1
Margeret 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Martha 1
Phebe 1
Polly 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 48
Thomas 31
Patrick 23
Michael 18
James 16
William 13
Martin 10
Edward 8
Bernard 5
Daniel 5
Luke 4
Peter 4
Willm. 4
Andrew 3
Charles 3
Hugh 3
Robert 3
Alfred 2
Austin 2
Bartholomew 2
Francis 2
George 2
Timothy 2
Arthur 1
Barnard 1
Bryne 1
Burnett 1
Cornelius 1
Elizabeth 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Joseph 1
Lancelot 1
Lawrence 1
M. 1
Matthew 1
Patk. 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Shadrach 1
Simon 1
Stephen 1
Terrence 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Kilroy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kilroy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 503 people were recorded with the Kilroy surname. That placed it at #6,747 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kilroy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 735 in 2016. That gives Kilroy a modern rank of #7,416.

What does the Kilroy surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac Giolla Rua," meaning "son of the red-haired servant."

What does the Kilroy map show?

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