NameCensus.

UK surname

Meenaghan

A surname of Irish origin meaning "descendant of tiny Aonghus".

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Meenaghan surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 161, ranked #22,606, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Tyneside, Worcester and North East Lincolnshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meenaghan is 161 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5266.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

161

2016, ranked #22,606

Peak year

2016

161 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meenaghan had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016, ranked #22,606.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Meenaghan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meenaghan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Meenaghan 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 4 #32,658
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 143 #21,761
1998 modern 150 #21,665
1999 modern 153 #21,551
2000 modern 144 #22,357
2001 modern 147 #21,756
2002 modern 149 #22,001
2003 modern 142 #22,460
2004 modern 140 #22,793
2005 modern 151 #21,667
2006 modern 148 #22,111
2007 modern 149 #22,318
2008 modern 150 #22,429
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 157 #22,800
2011 modern 155 #22,790
2012 modern 160 #22,260
2013 modern 159 #22,706
2014 modern 158 #23,022
2015 modern 159 #22,796
2016 modern 161 #22,606

Geography

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Where Meenaghans 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 North Tyneside, Worcester, North East Lincolnshire 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 North Tyneside 011 North Tyneside
2 Worcester 005 Worcester
3 North East Lincolnshire 001 North East Lincolnshire
4 Trafford 003 Trafford
5 North Tyneside 017 North Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Meenaghan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Meenaghan

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Meenaghan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Meenaghan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Meenaghan 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

Meenaghan is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Meenaghan falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Meenaghan

The surname Meenaghan is of Irish origin, rooted in the Gaelic territories of ancient Ireland. It is believed to have emerged during the 9th or 10th century AD, originating in the northern regions of the island.

The name is derived from the Gaelic words "mín" meaning smooth or gentle, and "achadh" which translates to field or meadow. This linguistic connection suggests that the surname may have initially been bestowed upon individuals who resided in or owned lands with smooth, lush meadows.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Meenaghan name dates back to the 11th century, when a scribal reference was made to a "Mínachadh Ó Conchobhair" in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle detailing events in medieval Ireland. This suggests that the name had already been established and associated with notable individuals during this period.

In the 14th century, a document known as the Annals of the Four Masters mentions a "Mínachadh Mac Uidhir," implying that the surname had branched into various clans and territories throughout Ireland.

Notable historical figures bearing the Meenaghan surname include Tadhg Meenaghan (1592-1661), a renowned Irish scholar and poet who composed works in both Gaelic and Latin. His contemporaries praised his mastery of language and literary prowess.

Another prominent individual was Seán Meenaghan (1773-1847), a respected Irish linguist and lexicographer who dedicated his life to preserving and documenting the Gaelic language. His contributions were instrumental in the preservation of Ireland's linguistic heritage.

In the 19th century, Bridget Meenaghan (1824-1898) gained recognition as an influential activist and advocate for women's rights and social reform in Ireland. Her tireless efforts paved the way for future generations of Irish women.

The Meenaghan surname can also be traced to various locations throughout Ireland, with place names such as Meenaghan Townland in County Fermanagh and Meenaghan Lough in County Donegal, further solidifying the name's deep-rooted Irish origins.

Throughout history, several variations in the spelling of the surname have been documented, including Meenaghan, Meenaghyn, Mineaghan, and Minaghan, reflecting the evolving nature of language and regional dialects over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Meenaghan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meenaghan 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. Staffordshire leads with 3 Meenaghans recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.43x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 3 30.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wolstanton Knutton in Staffordshire leads with 3 Meenaghans recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
Wolstanton Knutton 3 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
Michael 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 Meenaghan households.

Occupation Count
Blast Furnace Man 1

FAQ

Meenaghan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meenaghan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Meenaghan surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meenaghan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016. That gives Meenaghan a modern rank of #22,606.

What does the Meenaghan surname mean?

A surname of Irish origin meaning "descendant of tiny Aonghus".

What does the Meenaghan map show?

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