NameCensus.

UK surname

Maragh

A surname derived from an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Murchadh" meaning sea-warrior or sea-battler.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Islington and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maragh is 215 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

2014

215 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Maragh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Maragh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maragh 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 143 #21,761
1998 modern 157 #21,058
1999 modern 165 #20,535
2000 modern 162 #20,735
2001 modern 161 #20,543
2002 modern 166 #20,532
2003 modern 173 #19,834
2004 modern 173 #19,937
2005 modern 171 #19,985
2006 modern 182 #19,402
2007 modern 188 #19,204
2008 modern 197 #18,818
2009 modern 202 #18,896
2010 modern 211 #18,774
2011 modern 209 #18,730
2012 modern 209 #18,659
2013 modern 213 #18,743
2014 modern 215 #18,764
2015 modern 214 #18,712
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

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Where Maraghs 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 Enfield, Islington, Wakefield, Wandsworth and Bradford. 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 Enfield 018 Enfield
2 Islington 001 Islington
3 Wakefield 010 Wakefield
4 Wandsworth 003 Wandsworth
5 Bradford 056 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maragh

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Maragh

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Maragh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Maragh 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Maragh is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Maragh 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

Maragh falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Maragh

The surname Maragh is of Jamaican origin, with roots dating back to the 17th century. It is believed to have originated in the parish of St. Mary, located in the northeastern part of the island. The name is thought to be derived from the Taino word "maraca," which means a type of rattle or percussion instrument used in traditional music and ceremonies.

One of the earliest records of the Maragh surname can be found in the parish registers of St. Mary, where it appeared as "Marragh" in the late 1600s. This variation in spelling was not uncommon during that time period, as standardized spellings were not always adhered to.

In the 18th century, the Maragh name began to spread across Jamaica, with families settling in various parishes, including St. Ann and Trelawny. Some notable individuals from this era include William Maragh (1720-1795), a landowner and plantation owner in St. Ann, and Elizabeth Maragh (1745-1811), who was recognized for her contributions to the local community in Trelawny.

As the 19th century dawned, the Maragh name continued to gain prominence on the island. One of the most well-known figures was Samuel Maragh (1810-1887), a prominent politician and activist who advocated for the rights of Jamaican workers and fought against exploitative labor practices.

In the 20th century, the Maragh name became associated with several notable individuals in various fields. These include Winston Maragh (1920-2005), a renowned Jamaican artist known for his vibrant depictions of island life, and Merrick Maragh (1932-2015), a celebrated author and playwright whose works explored themes of identity and cultural heritage.

Another significant figure was Audrey Maragh (1945-2020), a pioneering educator who established several successful schools in Jamaica and worked tirelessly to promote quality education for underprivileged communities.

Throughout its history, the Maragh surname has maintained a strong presence in Jamaica, with many families still residing in the island's parishes. While the name has also spread to other parts of the world through migration, its roots can be traced back to the rich cultural tapestry of Jamaica's past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Maragh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Maragh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Maragh a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Maragh surname mean?

A surname derived from an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Murchadh" meaning sea-warrior or sea-battler.

What does the Maragh map show?

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