NameCensus.

UK surname

Ocarroll

Irish surname meaning "descendant of Cearnaill" (a personal name derived from the word cearnach meaning "victorious").

In the 1881 census there were 14 people recorded with the Ocarroll surname, ranking it #31,604 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 860, ranked #6,524, up from #31,604 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Carlisle and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ocarroll is 900 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6042.9%.

1881 census count

14

Ranked #31,604

Modern count

860

2016, ranked #6,524

Peak year

2014

900 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ocarroll had 14 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,604 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 860 in 2016, ranked #6,524.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 62 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ocarroll surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ocarroll surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ocarroll 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 13 #32,208
1881 historical 14 #31,604
1891 historical 24 #32,320
1901 historical 30 #30,724
1911 historical 62 #26,622
1997 modern 764 #6,783
1998 modern 804 #6,724
1999 modern 807 #6,741
2000 modern 782 #6,899
2001 modern 768 #6,852
2002 modern 798 #6,786
2003 modern 791 #6,710
2004 modern 814 #6,572
2005 modern 804 #6,593
2006 modern 795 #6,666
2007 modern 819 #6,567
2008 modern 818 #6,614
2009 modern 856 #6,539
2010 modern 884 #6,492
2011 modern 851 #6,611
2012 modern 857 #6,489
2013 modern 880 #6,462
2014 modern 900 #6,372
2015 modern 875 #6,449
2016 modern 860 #6,524

Geography

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Where Ocarrolls 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 South Hams, Carlisle, Cardiff, Huntingdonshire and Rotherham. 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 South Hams 010 South Hams
2 Carlisle 003 Carlisle
3 Cardiff 043 Cardiff
4 Huntingdonshire 013 Huntingdonshire
5 Rotherham 031 Rotherham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ocarroll

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ocarroll

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

Ocarroll 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ocarroll

The surname OCARROLL is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Cearbhaill, derived from the personal name Cearbhall, meaning "fierce in battle" or "ruddy complexion". The name originated in County Offaly, Ireland, and can be traced back to the 10th century.

The OCARROLL family descended from the Dál Birn branch of the Uí Failge, a powerful sept (clan) that ruled over the Kingdom of Offaly during the Middle Ages. The name first appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, in the year 1014, when a certain Domhnall Ó Cearbhaill is mentioned.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the OCARROLL surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a great survey of England and parts of Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Carlet" in the entry for Worcestershire.

In the 12th century, the OCARROLL clan played a significant role in the Norman invasion of Ireland, initially allying with the invaders but later turning against them. Prominent members of the family during this period include Muircheartach Ó Cearbhaill (died 1208), King of Offaly, and his son, Maelsechlainn Ó Cearbhaill (died 1223), who led the Irish resistance against the Normans.

Other notable OCARROLL figures throughout history include Fearghal Ó Cearbhaill (c. 1585-1653), an Irish soldier and landowner who fought against the English during the Irish Confederate Wars; Myles OCARROLL (1630-1665), an Irish Jacobite soldier and outlaw; and Anthony OCARROLL (1822-1911), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Catholic University of America.

In the 20th century, Joseph OCARROLL (1873-1956), an Irish Republican and trade unionist, was a prominent figure in the Irish Labour Movement, while Brendan OCARROLL (1935-2022) was a renowned Irish novelist and playwright, best known for his works exploring Dublin's working-class culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ocarroll families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ocarroll 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. Lancashire leads with 5 Ocarrolls recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.32x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 5 3.32x
Lanarkshire 4 9.76x
Middlesex 3 2.37x
Royal Navy 1 66.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 5 Ocarrolls recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.70x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 5 54.70x
Govan 4 39.45x
Islington London 2 16.27x
Kensington London 1 14.18x
Royal Navy 1 77.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 1
Jeane 1
Margaret 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 2
Byrne 1
Francis 1
Patrick 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 Ocarroll households.

FAQ

Ocarroll surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ocarroll surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14 people were recorded with the Ocarroll surname. That placed it at #31,604 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ocarroll surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 860 in 2016. That gives Ocarroll a modern rank of #6,524.

What does the Ocarroll surname mean?

Irish surname meaning "descendant of Cearnaill" (a personal name derived from the word cearnach meaning "victorious").

What does the Ocarroll map show?

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