NameCensus.

UK surname

Mernagh

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Mernagh surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 139, ranked #25,001, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tower Hamlets, Birmingham and Epping Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mernagh is 146 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1058.3%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

2014

146 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mernagh had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 46 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Mernagh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mernagh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mernagh 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 5 #33,418
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 19 #32,642
1901 historical 29 #30,848
1911 historical 46 #28,224
1997 modern 128 #23,238
1998 modern 136 #23,013
1999 modern 136 #23,186
2000 modern 131 #23,672
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 125 #24,492
2003 modern 120 #24,909
2004 modern 121 #24,939
2005 modern 120 #25,066
2006 modern 115 #25,969
2007 modern 114 #26,491
2008 modern 119 #26,067
2009 modern 123 #26,098
2010 modern 127 #26,176
2011 modern 133 #25,177
2012 modern 137 #24,731
2013 modern 140 #24,779
2014 modern 146 #24,274
2015 modern 142 #24,617
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Mernaghs 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 Tower Hamlets, Birmingham, Epping Forest, Hammersmith and Fulham and Rochdale. 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 Tower Hamlets 001 Tower Hamlets
2 Birmingham 124 Birmingham
3 Epping Forest 009 Epping Forest
4 Hammersmith and Fulham 012 Hammersmith and Fulham
5 Rochdale 001 Rochdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mernagh

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Mernagh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mernagh 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Mernagh is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mernagh 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

Mernagh 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 Mernagh is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

1881 census detail

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Mernagh families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mernagh 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. Westmorland leads with 8 Mernaghs recorded in 1881 and an index of 311.28x.

County Total Index
Westmorland 8 311.28x
Yorkshire 3 2.59x
Hampshire 1 4.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Undermilbeck in Westmorland leads with 8 Mernaghs recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Undermilbeck 8 10000.00x
Knaresborough 3 1666.67x
Alverstoke 1 114.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bridget 1
Fanny 1
Helena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 1
Francis 1
George 1
James 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Moses 1
Philip 1
Thomas 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 Mernagh households.

FAQ

Mernagh surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mernagh surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Mernagh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Mernagh a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Mernagh map show?

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