NameCensus.

UK surname

Mulcahy

Derived from the Irish Ó Maolchathaigh, meaning "descendant of a follower of Cathach," a personal name meaning "battle."

In the 1881 census there were 146 people recorded with the Mulcahy surname, ranking it #15,752 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,929, ranked #3,313, up from #15,752 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rossendale, Armadale South and Neath Port Talbot.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mulcahy is 2,008 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1221.2%.

1881 census count

146

Ranked #15,752

Modern count

1,929

2016, ranked #3,313

Peak year

2010

2,008 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mulcahy had 146 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,752 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,929 in 2016, ranked #3,313.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 456 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mulcahy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mulcahy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mulcahy 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 50 #24,274
1861 historical 74 #24,370
1881 historical 146 #15,752
1891 historical 268 #12,087
1901 historical 369 #10,040
1911 historical 456 #8,409
1997 modern 1,884 #3,197
1998 modern 1,897 #3,298
1999 modern 1,918 #3,292
2000 modern 1,884 #3,326
2001 modern 1,809 #3,379
2002 modern 1,880 #3,331
2003 modern 1,851 #3,311
2004 modern 1,812 #3,374
2005 modern 1,779 #3,401
2006 modern 1,809 #3,358
2007 modern 1,870 #3,297
2008 modern 1,888 #3,294
2009 modern 1,980 #3,234
2010 modern 2,008 #3,263
2011 modern 1,981 #3,254
2012 modern 1,951 #3,247
2013 modern 1,980 #3,271
2014 modern 1,993 #3,271
2015 modern 1,954 #3,291
2016 modern 1,929 #3,313

Geography

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Where Mulcahys are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Rossendale, Armadale South, Neath Port Talbot and South Norfolk. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rossendale 003 Rossendale
2 Armadale South West Lothian
3 Neath Port Talbot 016 Neath Port Talbot
4 South Norfolk 012 South Norfolk
5 Neath Port Talbot 017 Neath Port Talbot

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mulcahy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mulcahy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mulcahy, 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 Mulcahy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mulcahy 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, Mulcahy 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

Mulcahy 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

Mulcahy falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mulcahy

The surname Mulcahy is of Irish origin, derived from the Old Irish Gaelic words "muileach" meaning "chieftain" or "leader" and "cath" meaning "battle". It is believed to have originated in County Cork, Ireland, during the 11th or 12th century.

The name is thought to have been first used to refer to a prominent leader or warrior in battle, and was likely bestowed as a descriptive surname to distinguish individuals of importance or military prowess. Over time, the name evolved into its current spelling, with various historical records showing variations such as Mulcahey, Mulcaghey, and Mulcaghie.

One of the earliest documented references to the name can be found in the Annals of Inisfallen, a medieval Irish chronicle compiled in the 12th century, which mentions a Mulcahy clan member named Domhnall Ó Muileacháin in the year 1171.

In the 16th century, the Mulcahy family held lands in the baronies of Muskerry and Duhallow in County Cork, and several members were noted for their involvement in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule in Ireland. Notable figures from this period include Donal Mulcahy, who fought alongside the Earl of Desmond in the Second Desmond Rebellion (1579-1583).

Another prominent Mulcahy was Tadhg Ó Muileacháin (c. 1600-1670), a renowned Irish poet and historian who composed works in both Irish and Latin, preserving valuable historical and genealogical information about the Gaelic families of Munster.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Mulcahy name was associated with several influential clergymen and scholars. Reverend Daniel Mulcahy (1718-1778) was a renowned Catholic priest and educator who established one of the earliest Catholic schools in Ireland after the Penal Laws were relaxed.

In more recent history, Riobárd Mulcahy (1886-1971) was a prominent Irish politician and military leader. He served as Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence and later became Minister for Defence and Minister for Education in the Irish Free State government.

Other notable individuals with the surname Mulcahy include John Vincent Mulcahy (1876-1942), an Irish-American businessman and politician who served as Mayor of Spokane, Washington, and Kathleen Mulcahy (1906-1976), an American author and playwright known for her works on Irish history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mulcahy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mulcahy 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. Glamorgan leads with 28 Mulcahys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.06x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 28 11.06x
Monmouthshire 19 18.08x
Surrey 18 2.54x
Middlesex 17 1.17x
Somerset 15 6.41x
Yorkshire 14 0.97x
Cheshire 10 3.12x
Kent 6 1.21x
Cornwall 5 3.04x
Lancashire 4 0.23x
Devon 3 0.99x
Northumberland 3 1.39x
Royal Navy 3 17.32x
Lanarkshire 1 0.21x
Norfolk 1 0.45x
Northamptonshire 1 0.73x
Pembrokeshire 1 2.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Woollos in Monmouthshire leads with 15 Mulcahys recorded in 1881 and an index of 127.88x.

Place Total Index
St Woollos 15 127.88x
Battersea 9 16.83x
Manningham 9 50.73x
Newcastle Higher 9 523.26x
Minehead 8 909.09x
Brislington 7 1590.91x
Swansea Town 7 33.73x
Barnes 5 167.22x
Birkenhead 5 19.55x
Cardiff St Mary 5 35.87x
Monks Coppenhall 5 41.29x
Scilly Islands 5 1666.67x
Woolwich 5 27.29x
Bedwellty 4 21.56x
Llantrisant 4 62.70x
Llandaff 3 35.63x
Royal Navy 3 20.27x
Seaton Delaval 3 157.89x
St Andrew Holborn 3 60.85x
Stoke Damerel 3 14.17x
Westminster St John 3 16.95x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 2 14.90x
Burnley 2 13.77x
Clapham 2 11.01x
Kensington London 2 2.48x
Sheffield 2 4.36x
Southwark St John 2 44.94x
St George Hanover 2 10.54x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.58x
Charterhouse London 1 144.93x
Chelsea London 1 2.28x
Clerkenwell London 1 2.91x
Deptford St Paul 1 2.61x
Fulwood 1 53.76x
Glasgow 1 1.20x
Horton In Bradford 1 4.45x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 14.90x
Milford Haven 1 263.16x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 14.39x
St George Martyr 1 40.82x
St Marylebone London 1 1.29x
Upper Rawcliffe With 1 322.58x
Westminster St 1 18.66x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Margaret 8
Catherine 4
Johanna 3
Johannah 3
Bridget 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Norah 2
Sarah 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Cathereine 1
Catherene 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Jane 1
Jemima 1
Johanah 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Marie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Patrick 15
John 12
William 10
Thomas 8
David 5
Michael 5
Daniel 4
Edward 4
James 4
Stephen 3
Richard 2
Alfred 1
Cornelius 1
Ernest 1
Henry 1
Jeremiah 1
Joseph 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Murice 1
Nicholas 1
Oriel 1
Simon 1
Southwell 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Mulcahy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mulcahy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 146 people were recorded with the Mulcahy surname. That placed it at #15,752 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mulcahy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,929 in 2016. That gives Mulcahy a modern rank of #3,313.

What does the Mulcahy surname mean?

Derived from the Irish Ó Maolchathaigh, meaning "descendant of a follower of Cathach," a personal name meaning "battle."

What does the Mulcahy map show?

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