NameCensus.

UK surname

Mehigan

Of Irish origin, likely an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Meachair meaning "descendant of Meachar".

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Mehigan surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 148, ranked #23,958, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Guildford, Herefordshire and Laurieston and Tradeston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mehigan is 148 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1133.3%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

148

2016, ranked #23,958

Peak year

2016

148 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mehigan had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016, ranked #23,958.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 26 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Mehigan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mehigan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mehigan 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 16 #32,868
1901 historical 26 #31,152
1911 historical 16 #31,804
1997 modern 110 #25,529
1998 modern 116 #25,332
1999 modern 125 #24,366
2000 modern 120 #24,950
2001 modern 120 #24,615
2002 modern 124 #24,616
2003 modern 120 #24,909
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 129 #24,165
2007 modern 128 #24,632
2008 modern 127 #25,020
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 143 #24,247
2011 modern 141 #24,294
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 144 #24,504
2015 modern 147 #24,036
2016 modern 148 #23,958

Geography

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Where Mehigans 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 Guildford, Herefordshire, Laurieston and Tradeston, IZ05 and Charnwood. 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 Guildford 016 Guildford
2 Herefordshire 012 Herefordshire, County of
3 Laurieston and Tradeston Glasgow City
4 IZ05 West Dunbartonshire
5 Charnwood 012 Charnwood

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mehigan

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mehigan 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 Mehigan

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mehigan, 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 Mehigan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mehigan 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Mehigan is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mehigan 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

Mehigan 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 Mehigan 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 Mehigan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mehigan

The surname Mehigan has its roots in Ireland, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic name "Ó Meachair," which means "descendant of Meachar." The name Meachar is derived from the Old Irish word "mechair," meaning "merciful" or "hospitable."

The earliest known record of the name Mehigan appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history written in the 17th century. The annals mention a family called "Ó Meachair" from County Sligo in the west of Ireland.

In the 17th century, the name was anglicized to various spellings, including Mehigan, Mehegan, and Meegan, due to the English influence in Ireland at the time. The name was also found in other counties, such as Cork and Limerick, suggesting that the family had spread to different parts of the country.

One notable historical figure with the surname Mehigan was John Mehigan, a renowned Irish sculptor born in 1814 in Dublin. He was commissioned to create several sculptures for public buildings and churches, including the statue of Daniel O'Connell in Dublin.

Another prominent individual with the name was Patrick Mehigan, born in 1844 in County Cork. He was a prominent businessman and philanthropist who donated funds for the construction of schools and hospitals in his local community.

In the 19th century, the name Mehigan appeared in various records, including census records and parish registers. One such record from 1851 mentions a family named Mehigan residing in the town of Ballymahon, County Longford.

The name Mehigan has also been associated with place names in Ireland. For example, there is a townland called Mehigan in County Mayo, which may have been named after a local family with that surname.

Other notable individuals with the surname Mehigan include Bridget Mehigan, born in 1860 in County Sligo, who was a renowned teacher and advocate for women's education in Ireland. Additionally, Michael Mehigan, born in 1892 in County Cork, was a celebrated poet and writer who published several collections of poetry and short stories.

While the surname Mehigan is not as common as some other Irish surnames, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mehigan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mehigan 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. Devon leads with 4 Mehigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.32x.

County Total Index
Devon 4 12.32x
Royal Navy 4 215.05x
Cheshire 3 8.71x
Sussex 3 11.41x
Monmouthshire 2 17.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 4 Mehigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 160.00x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 4 160.00x
Royal Navy 4 251.57x
Birkenhead 3 109.09x
Westfield 3 5000.00x
Bedwellty 2 100.50x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Catherine 2
Ellen 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
James 1
Jeremiah 1
Josh. 1
Simon 1
Timothy 1
William 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 Mehigan households.

FAQ

Mehigan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mehigan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Mehigan surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mehigan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016. That gives Mehigan a modern rank of #23,958.

What does the Mehigan surname mean?

Of Irish origin, likely an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Meachair meaning "descendant of Meachar".

What does the Mehigan map show?

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