NameCensus.

UK surname

Oniell

A variant spelling of the Irish surname Ó Néill, meaning "descendant of Niall".

In the 1881 census there were 229 people recorded with the Oniell surname, ranking it #11,784 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 108, ranked #29,578, down from #11,784 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eastbourne, North Somerset and Pendle.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oniell is 315 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.8%.

1881 census count

229

Ranked #11,784

Modern count

108

2016, ranked #29,578

Peak year

1911

315 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Oniell had 229 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,784 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016, ranked #29,578.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 315 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Oniell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oniell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Oniell 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 56 #23,235
1861 historical 76 #24,114
1881 historical 229 #11,784
1891 historical 290 #11,409
1901 historical 306 #11,494
1911 historical 315 #11,050
1997 modern 97 #27,342
1998 modern 106 #26,689
1999 modern 94 #28,593
2000 modern 72 #30,977
2001 modern 70 #31,016
2002 modern 75 #30,950
2003 modern 77 #30,762
2004 modern 80 #30,679
2005 modern 73 #31,616
2006 modern 85 #30,556
2007 modern 91 #30,061
2008 modern 86 #31,114
2009 modern 105 #28,815
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 103 #29,589
2012 modern 104 #29,543
2013 modern 97 #31,239
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 104 #30,269
2016 modern 108 #29,578

Geography

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Where Oniells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eastbourne, North Somerset, Pendle, Northampton and Manchester. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 London parishes London 3
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eastbourne 006 Eastbourne
2 North Somerset 012 North Somerset
3 Pendle 013 Pendle
4 Northampton 020 Northampton
5 Manchester 015 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Oniell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Oniell

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Oniell, 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 Oniell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Oniell 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Oniell 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

Oniell is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Oniell 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 Oniell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Oniell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Oniell

The surname ONIELL originated in Ireland, with roots tracing back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Niall," which means "champion" or "fierce warrior." The name was prominently associated with the powerful O'Neill dynasty, a prominent Irish clan that ruled parts of Ulster, particularly the region now known as County Tyrone.

The earliest recorded use of the ONIELL surname can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a significant historical record compiled by medieval Irish monks. This document mentions several members of the O'Neill clan, including Niall Mor O'Neill, who lived in the late 14th century and was a influential chieftain during his time.

One of the most notable figures bearing the ONIELL name was Shane O'Neill (c. 1530-1567), a renowned Irish chieftain who led a rebellion against English rule in Ulster during the 16th century. His exploits and resistance against the English crown made him a legendary figure in Irish history.

Another prominent ONIELL was Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone (c. 1550-1616), a descendant of Shane O'Neill. He led a major uprising against English authority in Ireland, known as the Nine Years' War (1594-1603), which aimed to expel English forces from the island.

In the 17th century, the ONIELL surname was further associated with the Irish Confederate Wars (1641-1653), during which members of the O'Neill clan played a significant role in the conflict against English and Scottish forces.

The ONIELL name has also been linked to various place names in Ireland, such as Killyleagh Castle in County Down, which was once the stronghold of the O'Neill clan. Additionally, the town of Dungannon in County Tyrone was historically associated with the O'Neills and served as their traditional seat of power.

Other notable figures with the ONIELL surname include Eliza O'Neill (1791-1872), an acclaimed Irish actress renowned for her performances in Shakespearean plays, and Máire O'Neill (1885-1952), an Irish republican and feminist activist who played a pivotal role in the Irish struggle for independence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Oniell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oniell 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 44 Oniells recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.33x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 44 3.33x
Yorkshire 17 1.54x
Cheshire 16 6.52x
Middlesex 10 0.90x
Glamorgan 6 3.10x
Monmouthshire 4 4.98x
Northumberland 3 1.81x
Renfrewshire 3 3.48x
Leicestershire 2 1.62x
Angus 1 0.97x
Argyllshire 1 3.23x
Cornwall 1 0.79x
Essex 1 0.46x
Kent 1 0.26x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 6.21x
Shropshire 1 1.04x
Staffordshire 1 0.27x
Warwickshire 1 0.36x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brightside Bierlow in Yorkshire leads with 10 Oniells recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.27x.

Place Total Index
Brightside Bierlow 10 46.27x
Runcorn 9 159.01x
Horton In Bradford 7 40.67x
Gorton 6 48.39x
Little Bolton 6 35.38x
Liverpool 6 7.49x
Llandaff 6 93.17x
Shoreditch London 6 12.45x
Everton 5 11.89x
Halewood 5 704.23x
Salford 5 12.89x
Bedwellty 4 28.19x
Chester St Oswald 4 90.09x
Beswick 3 89.02x
Birkenhead 3 15.33x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 14.31x
Houston Killallan 3 361.45x
Westgate 3 29.30x
Heaton Norris 2 26.63x
Hornsey 2 14.22x
Leicester St Mary 2 20.08x
Whitechapel London 2 18.25x
Antony 1 81.97x
Cheadle 1 55.56x
Colchester St Giles 1 46.08x
Dundee 1 2.60x
Glassary 1 59.88x
Marton 1 714.29x
N Lydbury 1 270.27x
Oldham 1 2.35x
Penshurst 1 156.25x
Radcliffe 1 15.72x
Toxteth Park 1 2.24x
Troqueer 1 47.39x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 6
Margaret 5
Ann 4
Ellen 4
Catherine 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Jane 2
Agatha 1
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Elisa 1
Eliza 1
Elizebath 1
Gertrude 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
Margret 1
Marie 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
William 6
Michael 5
Thomas 4
Edward 3
James 3
Arthur 2
Hugh 2
Patrick 2
Peter 2
Albert 1
Augustine 1
Charles 1
Edmund 1
Francis 1
George 1
Henry 1
Isaac 1
Lawrance 1
Richard 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Oniell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Oniell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 229 people were recorded with the Oniell surname. That placed it at #11,784 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Oniell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 108 in 2016. That gives Oniell a modern rank of #29,578.

What does the Oniell surname mean?

A variant spelling of the Irish surname Ó Néill, meaning "descendant of Niall".

What does the Oniell map show?

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