NameCensus.

UK surname

Omahoney

Irish surname from Gaelic Ó Mathghamhna meaning "descendant of Mathghamhain", a personal name meaning "bear".

In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Omahoney surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,197, ranked #4,976, up from #30,872 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Staffordshire, Kensington and Chelsea and Guildford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Omahoney is 1,305 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6200.0%.

1881 census count

19

Ranked #30,872

Modern count

1,197

2016, ranked #4,976

Peak year

2010

1,305 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Omahoney had 19 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,872 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,197 in 2016, ranked #4,976.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 68 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Omahoney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Omahoney surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Omahoney 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 19 #30,872
1891 historical 23 #32,389
1901 historical 54 #28,178
1911 historical 68 #26,050
1997 modern 1,146 #4,896
1998 modern 1,220 #4,822
1999 modern 1,267 #4,705
2000 modern 1,239 #4,773
2001 modern 1,211 #4,766
2002 modern 1,269 #4,679
2003 modern 1,244 #4,656
2004 modern 1,264 #4,600
2005 modern 1,233 #4,653
2006 modern 1,238 #4,648
2007 modern 1,245 #4,671
2008 modern 1,273 #4,592
2009 modern 1,277 #4,688
2010 modern 1,305 #4,690
2011 modern 1,275 #4,729
2012 modern 1,222 #4,841
2013 modern 1,235 #4,875
2014 modern 1,234 #4,893
2015 modern 1,222 #4,885
2016 modern 1,197 #4,976

Geography

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Where Omahoneys 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 East Staffordshire, Kensington and Chelsea, Guildford, Cornwall and Oxford. 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 East Staffordshire 010 East Staffordshire
2 Kensington and Chelsea 006 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Guildford 007 Guildford
4 Cornwall 018 Cornwall
5 Oxford 013 Oxford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Omahoney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Omahoney

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Omahoney is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Omahoney 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

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

Meaning and origin of Omahoney

The surname OMAHONEY is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Mathúna, which originated in County Cork, Ireland. The name derives from the word "mathún," meaning a bear cub or small bear, and was likely originally a nickname for someone who was considered brave or fierce.

This surname can be traced back to the 11th century, with records indicating that the Ó Mathúna clan was one of the principal families of the Uí Eachach Mumhan, a powerful dynasty that ruled over parts of Munster. The name appears in various early manuscripts, including the Annals of Inisfallen and the Book of Munster.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was Diarmaid Ó Mathúna, who served as the Chief of the Name in the 13th century. Another notable bearer of the name was Domhnall Ó Mathúna, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in the 15th century and was celebrated for his works in both Irish and Latin.

In the 16th century, the Ó Mathúna clan held lands around the town of Ballymahon (derived from Baile Uí Mhathúna, meaning "townland of the Ó Mathúnas") in County Cork. During this period, the name was also anglicized to various spellings, such as O'Mahoney, O'Mahony, and OMAHONEY.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne this surname. Conor O'Mahony (1615-1678) was a Catholic priest who played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars. Theobald O'Mahony (1800-1892) was an Irish-Australian explorer and surveyor, known for his contribution to mapping the interior of Western Australia.

John Francis O'Mahony (1816-1877) was an Irish Fenian leader and journalist who founded the Fenian Brotherhood, a revolutionary organization dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish republic. Daniel O'Mahony (1828-1892) was a prominent Irish-Australian politician and journalist who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.

Another notable bearer of the name was John O'Mahony (1875-1957), an Irish republican and member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who participated in the Easter Rising of 1916 and later served as a Sinn Féin member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Omahoney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Omahoney 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. Gloucestershire leads with 2 Omahoneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.45x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 2 17.45x
Angus 1 18.48x
Cheshire 1 7.75x
Middlesex 1 1.71x
Yorkshire 1 1.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St James St Paul in Gloucestershire leads with 2 Omahoneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 526.32x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St James St Paul 2 526.32x
Dundee 1 49.51x
Holme On Spalding Moor 1 2500.00x
Monks Coppenhall 1 204.08x
St George In East 1 250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Daniel 1
Frederick 1
James 1
Stephen 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 Omahoney households.

FAQ

Omahoney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Omahoney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Omahoney surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Omahoney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,197 in 2016. That gives Omahoney a modern rank of #4,976.

What does the Omahoney surname mean?

Irish surname from Gaelic Ó Mathghamhna meaning "descendant of Mathghamhain", a personal name meaning "bear".

What does the Omahoney map show?

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