NameCensus.

UK surname

Sheedy

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Síoda, meaning "descendant of Síoda," a personal name derived from síoda, meaning "silk."

In the 1881 census there were 141 people recorded with the Sheedy surname, ranking it #16,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 459, ranked #10,668, up from #16,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, London parishes and Ealing, Chiswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cannock Chase, Newport and North Warwickshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sheedy is 516 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 225.5%.

1881 census count

141

Ranked #16,091

Modern count

459

2016, ranked #10,668

Peak year

2010

516 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sheedy had 141 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 459 in 2016, ranked #10,668.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 198 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Sheedy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sheedy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sheedy 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 81 #19,457
1861 historical 78 #23,836
1881 historical 141 #16,091
1891 historical 145 #18,752
1901 historical 164 #17,144
1911 historical 198 #15,058
1997 modern 436 #10,327
1998 modern 439 #10,602
1999 modern 462 #10,249
2000 modern 455 #10,340
2001 modern 439 #10,447
2002 modern 458 #10,295
2003 modern 471 #9,902
2004 modern 473 #9,905
2005 modern 477 #9,764
2006 modern 463 #10,015
2007 modern 482 #9,831
2008 modern 477 #9,997
2009 modern 499 #9,879
2010 modern 516 #9,808
2011 modern 515 #9,745
2012 modern 486 #10,073
2013 modern 474 #10,421
2014 modern 483 #10,354
2015 modern 466 #10,552
2016 modern 459 #10,668

Geography

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Where Sheedys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, London parishes, Ealing, Chiswick and St Giles-in-the-Fields. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cannock Chase, Newport, North Warwickshire, Skye South and Hounslow. 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 Greenwich London (South Districts)
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ealing, Chiswick Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
5 St Giles-in-the-Fields London (Central Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cannock Chase 013 Cannock Chase
2 Newport 004 Newport
3 North Warwickshire 003 North Warwickshire
4 Skye South Highland
5 Hounslow 014 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sheedy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sheedy

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Sheedy is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sheedy 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sheedy

The surname Sheedy is of Irish origin, with its roots traceable to the Gaelic Ó Séadaighe clan. This name is believed to have originated in County Cavan, Ireland, around the 11th or 12th century. The name is derived from the Irish word "séadach," which means "prosperous" or "wealthy."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sheedy can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the year 1266, a man named Conchobhar Ó Séadaighe is mentioned as a prominent figure in County Cavan.

The Sheedy name is also linked to various place names in Ireland, such as Sheedyville, a small village in County Longford. Additionally, variations in the spelling of the name, such as Sheedey, Sheedi, and Sheady, have been documented throughout history.

Among the notable individuals bearing the Sheedy surname, one can mention James Sheedy (1824-1889), an Irish-born Australian Catholic priest and educator who played a significant role in the establishment of Catholic education in Victoria, Australia.

Another notable figure is Thomas Sheedy (1857-1934), an Irish-American journalist and politician who served as the 83rd Mayor of New York City from 1917 to 1918.

In the realm of literature, Austin Sheedy (1914-1986) was an Irish poet and writer known for his contributions to the Irish literary scene in the mid-20th century.

The name Sheedy also gained prominence in the field of sports. John Sheedy (1897-1971) was an Australian rules football player and coach who had a successful career with the Fitzroy Football Club in the early 20th century.

Another noteworthy individual is Brendan Sheedy (born 1948), an Australian rules football coach and former player who has been involved with several clubs, including the Essendon Bombers and the Sydney Swans.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the Sheedy surname throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and significance across various fields and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sheedy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sheedy 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 31 Sheedys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.27x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 31 2.27x
Lancashire 28 1.73x
Staffordshire 13 2.82x
Yorkshire 11 0.81x
Durham 10 2.46x
Glamorgan 9 3.79x
Kent 6 1.29x
Surrey 6 0.90x
Gloucestershire 5 1.87x
Devon 4 1.41x
Renfrewshire 4 3.78x
Norfolk 2 0.95x
Somerset 2 0.91x
Sussex 2 0.87x
Warwickshire 2 0.58x
Cheshire 1 0.33x
Cornwall 1 0.65x
Dorset 1 1.12x
Hampshire 1 0.36x
Midlothian 1 0.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walton Le Dale in Lancashire leads with 10 Sheedys recorded in 1881 and an index of 229.89x.

Place Total Index
Walton Le Dale 10 229.89x
Llandaff 9 113.78x
St Giles In Fields 9 191.08x
Cornsay 8 733.95x
Clerkenwell London 7 21.72x
Walsall Foreign 7 29.40x
Leeds 6 7.85x
Horfield 5 185.19x
Newchurch 5 37.74x
Erskine 4 519.48x
Kensington London 4 5.27x
Rotherhithe 4 23.71x
Sculcoates 4 18.65x
St Marylebone London 4 5.49x
Lewisham 3 12.08x
St Gilesin Fields 3 375.00x
Wednesbury 3 26.04x
Wigan 3 13.25x
Wolverhampton 3 8.47x
Bath St James 2 87.34x
Brighton 2 4.31x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 7.77x
Ealing 2 16.39x
Greenwich 2 9.20x
Little Bolton 2 9.60x
Manchester 2 2.75x
Newton Abbot St Mary 2 84.03x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 2 147.06x
Aldershot 1 10.66x
Aston 1 1.05x
Birmingham 1 0.87x
Caterham 1 34.01x
Crossgate 1 56.18x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.36x
Gillingham 1 10.41x
Gulval 1 100.00x
Hillingdon 1 22.99x
Hyde 1 11.25x
Lambeth 1 0.84x
Lidford 1 78.13x
Liverpool 1 1.02x
Middlesbrough 1 5.68x
Openshaw 1 13.18x
Pollards Land 1 344.83x
Portland 1 20.75x
Salford 1 2.10x
Tamerton Foliott 1 181.82x
Toxteth Park 1 1.82x
Westminster St John 1 6.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 20
Ellen 6
Elizabeth 5
Sarah 5
Margaret 4
Ann 3
Bridget 3
Catherine 3
Hannah 3
Julia 3
Annie 2
Eliza 2
Martha 2
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Christiana 1
Deborah 1
Emma 1
Honorah 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lizzie 1
Margt. 1
May 1
Norah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 9
John 8
Patrick 6
Michael 5
Thomas 5
Peter 4
Daniel 2
James 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Augustine 1
Charles 1
Danl. 1
Gabriel 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Lawrence 1
Louis 1
Martin 1
Mathew 1
Micheal 1
Roger 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Sheedy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sheedy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 141 people were recorded with the Sheedy surname. That placed it at #16,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sheedy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 459 in 2016. That gives Sheedy a modern rank of #10,668.

What does the Sheedy surname mean?

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Síoda, meaning "descendant of Síoda," a personal name derived from síoda, meaning "silk."

What does the Sheedy map show?

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