NameCensus.

UK surname

Oconner

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Conchobhair, meaning "descendant of Conchobhar" (a personal name meaning "lover of hounds").

In the 1881 census there were 637 people recorded with the Oconner surname, ranking it #5,577 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 325, ranked #13,930, down from #5,577 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Cambridgeshire, Craigend and Ruchazie and Huntingdonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oconner is 637 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 49.0%.

1881 census count

637

Ranked #5,577

Modern count

325

2016, ranked #13,930

Peak year

1881

637 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Oconner had 637 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,577 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 325 in 2016, ranked #13,930.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 637 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Oconner surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oconner surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Oconner 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 291 #7,827
1861 historical 302 #8,393
1881 historical 637 #5,577
1891 historical 563 #6,744
1901 historical 454 #8,657
1911 historical 162 #17,003
1997 modern 365 #11,804
1998 modern 352 #12,489
1999 modern 358 #12,416
2000 modern 369 #12,106
2001 modern 361 #12,102
2002 modern 378 #11,939
2003 modern 339 #12,714
2004 modern 337 #12,818
2005 modern 352 #12,315
2006 modern 349 #12,473
2007 modern 373 #12,005
2008 modern 381 #11,918
2009 modern 398 #11,768
2010 modern 413 #11,690
2011 modern 384 #12,218
2012 modern 358 #12,724
2013 modern 349 #13,215
2014 modern 339 #13,581
2015 modern 332 #13,705
2016 modern 325 #13,930

Geography

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Where Oconners are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Manchester, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Cambridgeshire, Craigend and Ruchazie, Huntingdonshire, Manchester and Sefton. 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Cambridgeshire 005 East Cambridgeshire
2 Craigend and Ruchazie Glasgow City
3 Huntingdonshire 005 Huntingdonshire
4 Manchester 032 Manchester
5 Sefton 025 Sefton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Oconner

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Oconner

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Oconner surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Oconner household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Oconner 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

Oconner 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

Oconner falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Oconner

The surname O'Conner is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Ó Conchobhair, which means "descendant of Conchobhar." Conchobhar was a popular personal name in ancient Ireland, consisting of the elements "con" meaning hound, and "cobhar" meaning help or assistance.

The name O'Conner is one of the most widespread and prominent surnames in Ireland, particularly associated with the province of Connacht. The O'Conners were a powerful dynasty that ruled over the Kingdom of Connacht from the 5th to the 16th century.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name O'Conner can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. It mentions Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair (Turlough O'Conor) as the King of Connacht in the 12th century.

In the 13th century, the O'Conners of Connacht played a significant role in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. Felim O'Conor, who ruled from 1233 to 1265, is noted for his resistance against the Norman invaders.

Another notable figure in Irish history was Roderic O'Conor (1116-1198), the last High King of Ireland. He was the last native ruler to claim the title of King of Ireland before the Norman invasion.

During the 16th century, the O'Conners were among the Gaelic Irish families that were dispossessed of their lands and power by the Tudor reconquest of Ireland. However, the name remained prominent and spread throughout Ireland and beyond.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname O'Conner was Thomas O'Conner (1770-1855), a renowned Irish Catholic priest and educator. He founded several schools and colleges in Ireland and played a crucial role in promoting Catholic education.

Other notable individuals with the surname include Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964), an American novelist and short story writer known for her works exploring moral and religious themes, and Sinéad O'Connor (born 1966), an Irish singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocals and controversial opinions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Oconner families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oconner 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 86 Oconners recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.54x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 86 2.54x
Middlesex 52 1.83x
Yorkshire 30 1.06x
Lanarkshire 19 2.06x
Glamorgan 10 2.02x
Staffordshire 10 1.04x
Surrey 8 0.58x
Cumberland 7 2.85x
Gloucestershire 7 1.25x
Warwickshire 7 0.97x
Cambridgeshire 6 3.33x
Kent 6 0.62x
Durham 5 0.59x
Angus 4 1.52x
Argyllshire 4 5.04x
Essex 4 0.71x
Leicestershire 4 1.27x
Midlothian 4 1.05x
Wiltshire 4 1.59x
Ayrshire 3 1.41x
Northamptonshire 3 1.12x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.52x
Stirlingshire 2 1.90x
Worcestershire 2 0.54x
Monmouthshire 1 0.49x
Northumberland 1 0.24x
Royal Navy 1 2.95x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 19 Oconners recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.29x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 19 8.29x
Barony 15 6.43x
Manchester 10 6.58x
Swansea Town 9 22.13x
Bilston 8 42.94x
Leeds 8 5.02x
Newton 8 30.71x
Walton Le Dale 8 88.11x
Dalton In Furness 7 53.64x
Gorton 7 22.03x
Salford 7 7.04x
St Andrew Holborn London 7 56.77x
Chatteris 6 130.43x
Birmingham 5 2.09x
Fulham London 5 12.10x
Hunslet 5 11.36x
Islington London 5 1.81x
Kensington London 5 3.16x
Lancaster 5 24.86x
West Derby 5 5.06x
Cummersdale 4 476.19x
Dunoon Kilmun 4 64.72x
Everton 4 3.71x
Glasgow 4 2.45x
Hackney London 4 2.50x
Heaton Norris 4 20.79x
Holy Trinity 4 5.89x
Leicester St Margaret 4 5.19x
Salisbury St Martin 4 152.67x
Bermondsey 3 3.54x
Blackburn 3 3.34x
Bristol St James In 3 36.50x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 5.59x
Colchester St Botolph 3 62.76x
Cowpen Bewley 3 312.50x
Deptford St Nicholas 3 38.91x
Liff Benvie 3 7.49x
Linthorpe 3 17.81x
Nether Denton 3 967.74x
Selby 3 50.85x
Spitalfields London 3 14.01x
Ardwick 2 6.56x
Battersea 2 1.91x
Bexley 2 23.28x
Blatchinworth 2 25.97x
Bothkennar 2 63.69x
Edinburgh New North 2 60.24x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 1.30x
Habergham Eaves 2 6.47x
Holbeck 2 10.70x
Hulme 2 2.83x
Loudoun 2 38.99x
Northampton St Sepulchre 2 14.67x
Nottingham St Mary 2 2.01x
Rodborough 2 74.07x
St Anne Soho London 2 12.29x
Dawdon 1 9.60x
Dundee 1 1.02x
East Ham 1 9.59x
Harborne 1 3.25x
Ince In Makerfield 1 6.36x
Kings Norton 1 3.00x
Leamington Priors 1 5.66x
Llanwonno 1 5.61x
New Cumnock 1 27.03x
Newington 1 0.95x
Northampton Priory St 1 6.22x
Oldham 1 0.92x
Pemberton 1 7.42x
Pendleton In Salford 1 2.48x
Prestbury 1 72.46x
Richmond 1 22.68x
Shildon 1 14.68x
Southcoates 1 6.38x
St Clement Danes London 1 16.98x
Stapleton 1 9.43x
Sutton Coldfield 1 13.25x
Walton On Hill 1 5.46x
Wimbledon 1 6.42x
York St George 1 45.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Elizabeth 10
Margaret 9
Ellen 8
Bridget 5
Alice 4
Ann 4
Catherine 4
Julia 4
Charlotte 3
Florence 3
Rose 3
Sarah 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Jane 2
Jessie 2
Maria 2
Teresa 2
Theresa 2
Beatrice 1
Catherin. 1
Clara 1
E. 1
Elizbth. 1
Geraldine 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
Lizzie 1
Lousia 1
Lucy 1
Mabel 1
Margrate 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Mrs. 1
Nanns 1
Rhoda 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 21
James 15
Patrick 10
Thomas 9
Michael 5
William 5
Edward 4
George 4
Martin 4
Peter 3
Stephen 3
Charles 2
Denis 2
Joseph 2
Owen 2
Richard 2
Alexander 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Bartholomew 1
Bernard 1
Colwin 1
Cornelious 1
David 1
Davis 1
Dennis 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
Jamesah 1
Lawrence 1
Matthew 1
Maurice 1
Micheal 1
Mr. 1
Nicholas 1
Shady 1
Timothy 1
W'm. 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Oconner surname: questions and answers

How common was the Oconner surname in 1881?

In 1881, 637 people were recorded with the Oconner surname. That placed it at #5,577 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Oconner surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 325 in 2016. That gives Oconner a modern rank of #13,930.

What does the Oconner surname mean?

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Conchobhair, meaning "descendant of Conchobhar" (a personal name meaning "lover of hounds").

What does the Oconner map show?

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