NameCensus.

UK surname

Lynagh

Irish surname indicating an explorer or long-distance traveler.

In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Lynagh surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 182, ranked #20,890, up from #30,609 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newlands, Calton and Gallowgate and Elmbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lynagh is 188 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 766.7%.

1881 census count

21

Ranked #30,609

Modern count

182

2016, ranked #20,890

Peak year

2000

188 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lynagh had 21 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,609 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 182 in 2016, ranked #20,890.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 56 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Lynagh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lynagh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lynagh 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 13 #32,208
1881 historical 21 #30,609
1891 historical 56 #29,638
1901 historical 51 #28,492
1911 historical 36 #29,370
1997 modern 180 #18,812
1998 modern 181 #19,229
1999 modern 174 #19,870
2000 modern 188 #18,916
2001 modern 182 #19,039
2002 modern 188 #19,012
2003 modern 176 #19,623
2004 modern 176 #19,731
2005 modern 168 #20,227
2006 modern 179 #19,592
2007 modern 173 #20,243
2008 modern 167 #20,901
2009 modern 167 #21,383
2010 modern 173 #21,327
2011 modern 173 #21,172
2012 modern 173 #21,135
2013 modern 179 #21,028
2014 modern 180 #21,115
2015 modern 183 #20,786
2016 modern 182 #20,890

Geography

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Where Lynaghs 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 Newlands, Calton and Gallowgate, Elmbridge, Hammersmith and Fulham and Bolton. 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 Newlands Glasgow City
2 Calton and Gallowgate Glasgow City
3 Elmbridge 018 Elmbridge
4 Hammersmith and Fulham 002 Hammersmith and Fulham
5 Bolton 002 Bolton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lynagh

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lynagh

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Lynagh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Lynagh household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Lynagh 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

Lynagh is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lynagh falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lynagh is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Lynagh

The surname Lynagh is of Irish origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic personal name Longseachaidh, meaning "ship-voyager" or "seafarer." This name was initially found in County Kerry, on the southwestern coast of Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a celebrated chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a Donnchadh Ua Longseachaidh (Donnchadh O'Lynagh) who was a notable scholar and poet in the late 12th century.

In the 16th century, the name is found in various legal documents and records from County Kerry, often spelled as Lynagh, Linagh, or Lynaugh. During this time, the Lynaghs were a prominent family in the Clanmaurice region, which encompassed parts of modern-day County Kerry and County Limerick.

The surname Lynagh has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was Tadhg Lynagh (c. 1570-1636), a Catholic priest and renowned Irish-language scholar who served as the Archbishop of Tuam from 1617 until his death.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Donnchadh Lynagh (c. 1620-1691), a celebrated Irish poet and harper from County Kerry. His compositions were widely admired and preserved in various manuscript collections.

In the 18th century, the name Lynagh appears in several parish records and land surveys from County Kerry. One notable individual was Patrick Lynagh (c. 1730-1810), a landowner and magistrate in the Dingle region.

Moving into the 19th century, we find Michael Lynagh (1831-1904), a prominent Irish nationalist and member of the Fenian Brotherhood, a revolutionary organization dedicated to establishing an independent Irish Republic.

Additionally, the name Lynagh has been associated with several place names in Ireland, such as Lynaghbeg and Lynaghmore, which are townlands located in County Kerry. These place names likely derived from the surname itself, indicating areas where Lynagh families settled or held significant influence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lynagh families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lynagh 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. Lanarkshire leads with 10 Lynaghs recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.10x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 10 15.10x
Lancashire 4 1.65x
Northamptonshire 3 15.58x
Lincolnshire 2 6.11x
Stirlingshire 2 26.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 10 Lynaghs recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.05x.

Place Total Index
Govan 10 61.05x
Wellingborough 3 309.28x
Boston 2 202.02x
Falkirk 2 112.99x
Everton 1 12.92x
Liverpool 1 6.78x
Manchester 1 9.15x
Tonge With Haulgh 1 212.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Agnes 1
Elizabeth 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Patrick 2
Joseph 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
William 1

FAQ

Lynagh surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lynagh surname in 1881?

In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Lynagh surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lynagh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 182 in 2016. That gives Lynagh a modern rank of #20,890.

What does the Lynagh surname mean?

Irish surname indicating an explorer or long-distance traveler.

What does the Lynagh map show?

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