UK surname
An Irish surname derived from the Irish words 'mullach' meaning 'summit' and 'raic' meaning 'promontory'.
In the 1881 census there were 63 people recorded with the Mullarky surname, ranking it #24,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 45, ranked #35,162, down from #24,711 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Newcastle All Saints and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mullarky is 106 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.6%.
1881 census count
63
Ranked #24,711
Modern count
45
2016, ranked #35,162
Peak year
1901
106 bearers
Map years
1
1901 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mullarky surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mullarky surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 25 | #28,853 |
| 1861 | historical | 42 | #28,691 |
| 1881 | historical | 63 | #24,711 |
| 1891 | historical | 51 | #30,158 |
| 1901 | historical | 106 | #22,076 |
| 1911 | historical | 61 | #26,724 |
| 1997 | modern | 41 | #33,552 |
| 1998 | modern | 45 | #33,374 |
| 1999 | modern | 44 | #33,601 |
| 2000 | modern | 41 | #33,889 |
| 2001 | modern | 40 | #33,842 |
| 2002 | modern | 39 | #34,219 |
| 2003 | modern | 32 | #34,862 |
| 2004 | modern | 32 | #35,019 |
| 2005 | modern | 37 | #34,815 |
| 2006 | modern | 30 | #35,526 |
| 2007 | modern | 35 | #35,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 32 | #35,610 |
| 2009 | modern | 35 | #35,545 |
| 2010 | modern | 39 | #35,451 |
| 2011 | modern | 45 | #35,112 |
| 2012 | modern | 40 | #35,369 |
| 2013 | modern | 44 | #35,222 |
| 2014 | modern | 44 | #35,241 |
| 2015 | modern | 44 | #35,212 |
| 2016 | modern | 45 | #35,162 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Newcastle All Saints, Liverpool, Bradford and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 3 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 4 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Preston | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mullarky surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mullarky, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Mullarky surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mullarky household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Mullarky is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mullarky is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mullarky, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Mullarky has its origins in Ireland, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Irish Gaelic words "mullach" meaning "summit" or "hilltop" and "reidh" meaning "plain" or "level ground." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived on or near a hilltop or a level area.
The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 16th century in various Irish records and manuscripts. One notable example is the appearance of the name in the Fiants of the Reign of Elizabeth I, which were legal documents issued by the English Crown in Ireland during that period.
In the 17th century, the Mullarky name was found in records from County Sligo, particularly in the parish of Drumcliff. This region is located in the northwestern part of Ireland, known for its rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
One of the earliest known individuals with the Mullarky surname was Terence Mullarky, born around 1620 in County Sligo. He was a landowner and farmer, and his descendants continued to reside in the area for generations.
Another notable figure was Bridget Mullarky, born in 1745 in County Sligo. She was a renowned storyteller and keeper of local folklore, passing down tales and traditions to future generations.
In the 19th century, the name appeared in various historical documents and records, including the Griffith's Valuation, a detailed land survey conducted in Ireland between 1848 and 1864. This survey recorded numerous Mullarky families residing in counties such as Sligo, Mayo, and Leitrim.
One prominent individual from this era was Michael Mullarky, born in 1832 in County Sligo. He was a respected teacher and advocate for education, establishing several schools in the region and working tirelessly to promote literacy among the local population.
Another notable figure was Patrick Mullarky, born in 1855 in County Mayo. He was a skilled stonemason and played a significant role in the construction of many churches and public buildings in the area, leaving a lasting legacy in the architectural landscape.
Over the centuries, various spellings of the name have emerged, including Mullarkee, Mullarkey, and Mullarkee, reflecting the evolution of language and regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mullarky surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 31 Mullarkys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 31 | 5.01x |
| Lancashire | 23 | 3.10x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.02x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.54x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.47x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.16x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 2.22x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.04x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.08x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 13.44x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.33x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradford in Yorkshire leads with 16 Mullarkys recorded in 1881 and an index of 106.81x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bradford | 16 | 106.81x |
| Liverpool | 8 | 17.78x |
| Keighley | 6 | 91.05x |
| Linthorpe | 5 | 135.50x |
| Toxteth Park | 5 | 19.94x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 4 | 33.98x |
| Tankersley | 4 | 869.57x |
| Oldham | 3 | 12.55x |
| Warrington | 3 | 34.17x |
| Alnwick | 1 | 62.50x |
| Aston | 1 | 2.31x |
| Battersea | 1 | 4.35x |
| Derby All Sts | 1 | 121.95x |
| Hythe St Leonard | 1 | 133.33x |
| Lakenham | 1 | 73.53x |
| Medomsley | 1 | 114.94x |
| Newport | 1 | 46.51x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.72x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 16.26x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mullarky surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mullarky surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Mullarky households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| (Unemployed) Worsted Spinner | 4 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| General Laborer | 2 |
| Apprentice | 1 |
| Beerhouse Keeper | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Cotton Picker (U N F) | 1 |
| Factory Worker | 1 |
| Gen Practitioner | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Dom) | 1 |
| Master Stevedore | 1 |
| Master Stevedores Wife | 1 |
| Merchants Clerk | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Packer (Text Fac Lab) | 1 |
| Paper Stamper | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Private 2/11th Regt | 1 |
| Private 55 Regt | 1 |
| Reeler (Text Wor) | 1 |
| Silk Twister | 1 |
| Spinner (Text Wor) | 1 |
| Stoker | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Worsted Spinner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 63 people were recorded with the Mullarky surname. That placed it at #24,711 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 45 in 2016. That gives Mullarky a modern rank of #35,162.
An Irish surname derived from the Irish words 'mullach' meaning 'summit' and 'raic' meaning 'promontory'.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mullarky bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.