UK surname
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Domhnall, meaning "world ruler."
In the 1881 census there were 295 people recorded with the Odonald surname, ranking it #9,842 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #9,842 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bothwell, Govan Combination and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Odonald is 295 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 94.2%.
1881 census count
295
Ranked #9,842
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1881
295 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Odonald surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Odonald surname density by area, 1881 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 | 286 | #7,933 |
| 1861 | historical | 286 | #8,793 |
| 1881 | historical | 295 | #9,842 |
| 1891 | historical | 173 | #16,600 |
| 1901 | historical | 163 | #17,205 |
| 1911 | historical | 75 | #25,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 32 | #34,472 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 30 | #34,939 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 25 | #35,248 |
| 2002 | modern | 22 | #35,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 22 | #35,993 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 21 | #36,355 |
| 2009 | modern | 20 | #36,534 |
| 2010 | modern | 21 | #36,530 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 16 | #36,955 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 16 | #36,978 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bothwell, Govan Combination, Manchester, Bathgate and Greenock. 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 | Bothwell | Lanark |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Bathgate | Linlithgow |
| 5 | Greenock | Renfrew |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Odonald 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 Odonald, 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 Odonald surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Odonald 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, Odonald 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 Odonald is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Odonald, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname ODONALD has its origins in Ireland, where it is believed to have emerged around the 12th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic "Ó Domhnaill," which means "descendant of Domhnall." Domhnall was a common personal name in medieval Ireland, derived from the Old Irish words "domun," meaning "world," and "val," meaning "ruler."
The ODONALD name is associated with the powerful Clan Donald, one of the largest Scottish clans with roots in the Western Isles and the Highlands. The clan's progenitor is believed to be Somerled, a 12th-century king of the Isles. The ODONALD name was later anglicized from its original Gaelic form.
In historical records, the ODONALD name can be found in various forms, such as O'Donnell, O'Donell, and O'Donill. One of the earliest known references to the name is in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a Domhnall Ua Néill in the year 1091.
One of the most notable figures in ODONALD history is Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill (c. 1572-1628), known as Red Hugh O'Donnell. He was an Irish chieftain and one of the principal leaders of the Irish rebels during the Nine Years' War against English rule in Ireland.
Another prominent ODONALD was Niall Garve O'Donnell (c. 1569-1626), who was the last inaugurated chief of the Clan O'Donnell. He played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1640s.
In Scotland, the ODONALDs were closely associated with the Lords of the Isles, a powerful maritime dynasty that ruled over parts of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. One notable figure was John of Islay, Lord of the Isles (c. 1337-1386), who was also known as John MacDonald or John O'Donnell.
The ODONALD name has also been linked to various place names, such as Donegal in Ireland, which is believed to derive from the Gaelic "Dún na nGall," meaning "fort of the foreigners." The town of Banagher in County Derry, Ireland, was once known as Banagher O'Donnell, reflecting the clan's influence in the area.
Other notable individuals with the ODONALD surname include Daniel O'Donnell (born 1961), an Irish singer and philanthropist; Martin O'Donnell (born 1955), an American composer known for his work on the Halo video game series; and Rosie O'Donnell (born 1962), an American comedian, actress, and television personality.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Odonald 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. Lancashire leads with 29 Odonalds recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.18x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 29 | 2.18x |
| Renfrewshire | 21 | 24.15x |
| Lanarkshire | 11 | 3.03x |
| Durham | 10 | 3.00x |
| West Lothian | 7 | 41.44x |
| Cheshire | 5 | 2.02x |
| Selkirkshire | 5 | 49.26x |
| Shropshire | 4 | 4.13x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.36x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 1.71x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.27x |
| Argyllshire | 2 | 6.40x |
| Dunbartonshire | 2 | 6.63x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0.87x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.53x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 3.01x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.45x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.26x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.67x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 7.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paisley Middle Church in Renfrewshire leads with 13 Odonalds recorded in 1881 and an index of 256.92x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Paisley Middle Church | 13 | 256.92x |
| Hetton Le Hole | 8 | 189.13x |
| Warrington | 7 | 44.36x |
| Bothwell | 6 | 60.98x |
| Bury | 5 | 32.87x |
| Melrose | 5 | 196.08x |
| Timperley | 5 | 581.40x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 4 | 18.91x |
| Kirkliston | 4 | 404.04x |
| Oswestry Town | 4 | 129.03x |
| Spotland | 4 | 27.03x |
| Buxton | 3 | 201.34x |
| Haslingden | 3 | 54.45x |
| Hulme | 3 | 10.80x |
| Bathgate | 2 | 54.50x |
| East Greenock | 2 | 24.36x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 3.10x |
| Govan | 2 | 2.23x |
| Heworth | 2 | 30.40x |
| Kilbarchan | 2 | 75.76x |
| Kilfinan | 2 | 240.96x |
| Middle Greenock | 2 | 84.39x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 2 | 31.06x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 2 | 4.98x |
| West Greenock | 2 | 12.82x |
| Aldershot | 1 | 12.99x |
| Bradford | 1 | 3.72x |
| Bradleys Both | 1 | 500.00x |
| Cardross | 1 | 27.62x |
| Castleford | 1 | 24.69x |
| Chatham | 1 | 9.50x |
| Edmonton | 1 | 11.06x |
| Gorbals | 1 | 46.51x |
| Habergham Eaves | 1 | 8.22x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.24x |
| New Kilpatrick | 1 | 34.84x |
| Oldham | 1 | 2.33x |
| Portsea | 1 | 2.22x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 8.75x |
| South Leith | 1 | 5.91x |
| St Helier | 1 | 9.24x |
| Swinefleet | 1 | 208.33x |
| Uphall | 1 | 53.76x |
| Walthamstow | 1 | 12.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Odonald 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 Odonald 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 Odonald households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| Charwoman | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Cotton Rover | 2 |
| Gardener (Not Dom) | 2 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Clerk | 1 |
| Coal Miners Wife | 1 |
| Cotton Doffer | 1 |
| Cotton Piecer | 1 |
| Domestic Serv Cook | 1 |
| Drawer In C Cardroom | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Engine Driver (Cotton Mill) | 1 |
| Erand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Servt (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farmers Labourer | 1 |
| Field Worker | 1 |
| Fustian Cutter | 1 |
| Ironworks Laborer | 1 |
| Laborer (Bricklayers) | 1 |
| Labourer (Masons) | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Painter 2 Cl | 1 |
| Paviors Labourer | 1 |
| Potters Printer | 1 |
| Private 109th Foot | 1 |
| Private 53 Foot | 1 |
| Stripper & Grinder | 1 |
| Transferrer (P) | 1 |
| Type Founder | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 295 people were recorded with the Odonald surname. That placed it at #9,842 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Odonald a modern rank of #36,904.
An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Domhnall, meaning "world ruler."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Odonald 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.