NameCensus.

UK surname

Omahony

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Mathghamhna" meaning "descendant of a Bear".

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Omahony surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,614, ranked #3,859, up from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnsley, Northumberland and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Omahony is 1,667 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5877.8%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

1,614

2016, ranked #3,859

Peak year

2014

1,667 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Omahony had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,614 in 2016, ranked #3,859.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 102 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Omahony surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Omahony surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Omahony 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
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 43 #30,933
1901 historical 69 #26,499
1911 historical 102 #22,465
1997 modern 1,484 #3,943
1998 modern 1,549 #3,943
1999 modern 1,583 #3,905
2000 modern 1,600 #3,861
2001 modern 1,571 #3,844
2002 modern 1,612 #3,824
2003 modern 1,530 #3,932
2004 modern 1,547 #3,890
2005 modern 1,555 #3,833
2006 modern 1,526 #3,900
2007 modern 1,554 #3,862
2008 modern 1,572 #3,848
2009 modern 1,571 #3,937
2010 modern 1,616 #3,923
2011 modern 1,593 #3,921
2012 modern 1,599 #3,850
2013 modern 1,651 #3,802
2014 modern 1,667 #3,792
2015 modern 1,646 #3,791
2016 modern 1,614 #3,859

Geography

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Where Omahonys are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Barnsley, Northumberland, Barnet, Gwynedd and Rochdale. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Almondbury Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnsley 024 Barnsley
2 Northumberland 015 Northumberland
3 Barnet 017 Barnet
4 Gwynedd 009 Gwynedd
5 Rochdale 020 Rochdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Omahony

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Omahony

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

Omahony 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

Omahony falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Omahony

The surname OMAHONY is an anglicized version of the original Irish Gaelic O'Mathghamhna, which translates to "descendant of the bear-like one". It originated in County Cork, Ireland, and can be traced back to the 10th century.

This surname is derived from the Irish personal name Mathghamhain, which means "bear" or "bear-like". The prefix "O'" indicates a male descendant of the original bearer of the name. The earliest recorded instance of this surname dates back to the 11th century, when it was spelled as O'Mathghamhna in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history.

During the medieval period, the OMAHONY clan was based in the baronies of Ivahagh and Kinalmeaky in County Cork. They were a prominent Gaelic family and held substantial lands in the region. The name is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of Irish history compiled in the early 17th century.

One of the earliest known individuals with this surname was Diarmaid O'Mathghamhna, a powerful chieftain who lived in the 12th century. He is recorded as leading forces against the Anglo-Norman invaders during the Norman conquest of Ireland.

Another notable figure was Conchobhar OMAHONY, who served as the Bishop of Cork and Cloyne from 1496 to 1503. He played a significant role in the ecclesiastical affairs of the region during his tenure.

In the 16th century, the OMAHONY clan faced challenges due to the Tudor conquest of Ireland. Many members of the clan lost their lands and were forced into exile. However, some descendants continued to hold onto their ancestral territories in County Cork.

One of the most famous individuals with this surname was Donal OMAHONY, an Irish soldier and military leader who fought in the Irish Confederate Wars of the 1640s. He was a prominent commander in the Irish Confederation's forces and played a crucial role in several battles against the English Parliamentarian forces.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the OMAHONY surname spread throughout Ireland and beyond, with many individuals emigrating to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Overall, the surname OMAHONY has a rich history rooted in the Gaelic heritage of County Cork, Ireland, and has been borne by several notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Omahony families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Omahony 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. Middlesex leads with 4 Omahonys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 5.13x
Glamorgan 2 14.73x
Hampshire 1 6.25x
Midlothian 1 9.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 2 Omahonys recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.08x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 2 46.08x
Roath 2 322.58x
Bossington 1 0.00x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 23.81x
New Brentford 1 2500.00x
St Mary Somerset 1 0.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Denis 1
Michael 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 Omahony households.

FAQ

Omahony surname: questions and answers

How common was the Omahony surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Omahony surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Omahony surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,614 in 2016. That gives Omahony a modern rank of #3,859.

What does the Omahony surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Mathghamhna" meaning "descendant of a Bear".

What does the Omahony map show?

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