NameCensus.

UK surname

Moynihan

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Muimhneacháin, meaning "descendant of Muimhneachán," derived from the word "muimhneach," meaning "Munsterman."

In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Moynihan surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 987, ranked #5,863, up from #22,745 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lochaber West and Hounslow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Moynihan is 999 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1198.7%.

1881 census count

76

Ranked #22,745

Modern count

987

2016, ranked #5,863

Peak year

2014

999 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Moynihan had 76 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,745 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 987 in 2016, ranked #5,863.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 176 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Moynihan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Moynihan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Moynihan 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 17 #30,267
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 76 #22,745
1891 historical 86 #25,951
1901 historical 123 #20,248
1911 historical 176 #16,185
1997 modern 893 #5,995
1998 modern 925 #6,023
1999 modern 896 #6,222
2000 modern 907 #6,142
2001 modern 891 #6,125
2002 modern 921 #6,092
2003 modern 861 #6,289
2004 modern 860 #6,293
2005 modern 853 #6,300
2006 modern 849 #6,327
2007 modern 850 #6,374
2008 modern 868 #6,310
2009 modern 902 #6,255
2010 modern 937 #6,183
2011 modern 919 #6,225
2012 modern 942 #6,026
2013 modern 992 #5,867
2014 modern 999 #5,860
2015 modern 995 #5,831
2016 modern 987 #5,863

Geography

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Where Moynihans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, St Pancras, Manchester and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lochaber West, Hounslow, Coventry and Bathgate and Boghall. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newcastle-under-Lyme 010 Newcastle-under-Lyme
2 Lochaber West Highland
3 Hounslow 001 Hounslow
4 Coventry 027 Coventry
5 Bathgate and Boghall West Lothian

Forenames

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First names often paired with Moynihan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Moynihan

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

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Moynihan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Moynihan 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 never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Moynihan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Moynihan 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

Moynihan falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Moynihan

The surname Moynihan is of Irish origin and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Muimhneacháin, which means "descendant of Muimhneachán". The name Muimhneachán is derived from the Irish word "muimhneach", meaning "hospitable" or "munificent".

The name Moynihan is predominantly found in the counties of Cork, Kerry, and Limerick in the southwestern part of Ireland. It is believed that the name originated in the region known as Munster, which was once a powerful kingdom in medieval Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a Muimhneachán mac Duibhdhara, who was a celebrated Irish poet and historian in the 13th century.

In the 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a certain Dermot Moynihan was noted as a member of the Irish nobility and a landowner in County Cork. This suggests that the Moynihan family held a significant social and political status at the time.

Another notable figure from history was Daniel Moynihan (1927-2003), an American politician, sociologist, and diplomat. He served as a United States Senator from New York and later as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

Other notable individuals with the surname Moynihan include:

1. Michael Moynihan (1670-1737), an Irish Catholic priest and Bishop of Killaloe. 2. Patrick Moynihan (1778-1825), an Irish rebel leader during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. 3. William Moynihan (1862-1936), an Irish-born Australian politician and member of the Australian Senate. 4. Mary Moynihan (1925-2021), an Irish actress and singer best known for her roles in various stage productions. 5. Colin Moynihan (born 1959), a British journalist and sports writer for The Telegraph.

The surname Moynihan has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Moynihan's Cross, a townland in County Cork, and Moynihan's Well, a historic well located in County Kerry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Moynihan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Moynihan 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. Middlesex leads with 23 Moynihans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.88x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 23 2.88x
Kent 14 5.13x
Essex 10 6.33x
Lancashire 8 0.84x
Surrey 8 2.05x
Channel Islands 6 25.32x
Hampshire 5 3.05x
Monmouthshire 4 6.92x
Gloucestershire 2 1.27x
Glamorgan 1 0.72x
Pembrokeshire 1 3.93x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Ham in Essex leads with 10 Moynihans recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.69x.

Place Total Index
West Ham 10 28.69x
Greenwich 8 62.84x
Spitalfields London 8 132.89x
Bermondsey 6 25.20x
Kirkdale 6 37.57x
St Peter Port 5 114.16x
Bedwellty 4 39.18x
Islington London 4 5.16x
St Martin In Fields 4 83.51x
Deptford St Nicholas 3 138.25x
Portsea 3 9.34x
St Marylebone London 3 7.02x
Bristol St Augustine 2 79.05x
Lambeth 2 2.87x
St Andrew Holborn 2 73.80x
Aldershot 1 18.21x
Farnborough 1 58.14x
Gillingham 1 17.76x
Liverpool 1 1.73x
Llantrisant 1 28.49x
Maidstone 1 12.30x
Minster In Sheppey 1 22.12x
Pembroke St Mary 1 30.58x
Poplar London 1 6.62x
St Helier 1 12.95x
St Pancras London 1 1.55x
Withington 1 32.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Ellen 6
Catherine 3
Eliza 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Cath.A. 1
Elizabeth 1
H. 1
Hannah 1
Johanna 1
Lilian 1
Rosa 1
Sophia 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
Patrick 4
Daniel 3
Thomas 3
Timothy 3
Dennis 2
George 2
Wm. 2
Cornelius 1
Dunlil 1
Eugnie 1
Henry 1
Humphrey 1
Ignatius 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Peter 1
Stephan 1
Wiliam 1

FAQ

Moynihan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Moynihan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Moynihan surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Moynihan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 987 in 2016. That gives Moynihan a modern rank of #5,863.

What does the Moynihan surname mean?

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Muimhneacháin, meaning "descendant of Muimhneachán," derived from the word "muimhneach," meaning "Munsterman."

What does the Moynihan map show?

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