NameCensus.

UK surname

Sheehy

Anglicized form of Irish Ó Síothcháin, meaning "descendant of Síothchán," a personal name derived from síothchán, meaning "peace."

In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Sheehy surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,035, ranked #5,635, up from #22,745 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Neath Port Talbot, Blaenau Gwent and Coventry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sheehy is 1,069 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1261.8%.

1881 census count

76

Ranked #22,745

Modern count

1,035

2016, ranked #5,635

Peak year

2014

1,069 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sheehy had 76 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,745 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,035 in 2016, ranked #5,635.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 136 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Sheehy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sheehy surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Sheehy 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 35 #29,571
1881 historical 76 #22,745
1891 historical 78 #27,035
1901 historical 126 #19,970
1911 historical 136 #18,962
1997 modern 983 #5,579
1998 modern 1,034 #5,523
1999 modern 1,035 #5,555
2000 modern 1,046 #5,485
2001 modern 1,025 #5,476
2002 modern 1,049 #5,470
2003 modern 1,023 #5,495
2004 modern 1,017 #5,519
2005 modern 1,001 #5,544
2006 modern 1,002 #5,559
2007 modern 1,007 #5,577
2008 modern 1,022 #5,547
2009 modern 1,023 #5,664
2010 modern 1,058 #5,612
2011 modern 1,056 #5,559
2012 modern 1,033 #5,588
2013 modern 1,066 #5,528
2014 modern 1,069 #5,545
2015 modern 1,053 #5,562
2016 modern 1,035 #5,635

Geography

Back to top

Where Sheehys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, St James Clerkenwell and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Neath Port Talbot, Blaenau Gwent, Coventry and Sheffield. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Neath Port Talbot 017 Neath Port Talbot
2 Blaenau Gwent 006 Blaenau Gwent
3 Coventry 039 Coventry
4 Neath Port Talbot 016 Neath Port Talbot
5 Sheffield 043 Sheffield

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Sheehy

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Sheehy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sheehy, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Sheehy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Sheehy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Sheehy 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

Sheehy 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

Sheehy falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sheehy

The surname Sheehy originates from Ireland, specifically in the province of Munster. It is believed to have derived from the Irish Gaelic word "Síodhaí," which translates to "fairy" or "fairy-like." The name is thought to have emerged sometime during the 10th or 11th century.

The surname was initially associated with the ancient territory of Fermoy, located in modern-day County Cork. It is believed that the Sheehy family held lands in this area and may have been prominent figures in the local community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sheehy can be found in the Annals of Inisfallen, a historical chronicle compiled by monks in the 12th century. The annals mention a "Sheehy" who was involved in a conflict with the O'Briens, another prominent Irish family, in the year 1178.

During the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century, the Sheehy family is said to have lost some of their lands and influence. However, they remained a respected clan in the region, and their name continued to be recorded in various historical documents.

In the 16th century, a notable member of the Sheehy family was Edmund Sheehy, who was born around 1520. He was a prominent Catholic landowner and is believed to have been involved in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule in Ireland.

Another significant figure was Reverend Nicholas Sheehy, who lived from 1728 to 1766. He was a Catholic priest and a prominent figure in the uprising known as the Whiteboy Movement, which fought against the oppressive laws and conditions imposed on Catholics in Ireland at the time. Sheehy was ultimately convicted and executed, becoming a martyr for the cause.

In the 19th century, John Sheehy (1818-1882) was a notable Irish mathematician and astronomer. He worked as a professor at the Catholic University of Ireland and made contributions to the fields of optics and celestial mechanics.

Additionally, Michael Sheehy (1670-1766) was an Irish-born Roman Catholic priest who served as the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. He played a significant role in defending the rights of Catholics during the Penal Laws era in Ireland.

Throughout history, the surname Sheehy has been associated with various spellings, such as Shee, Shey, and Shea, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Sheehy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sheehy 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. Surrey leads with 25 Sheehys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.83x.

County Total Index
Surrey 25 6.83x
Middlesex 22 2.93x
Yorkshire 7 0.94x
Suffolk 6 6.56x
Midlothian 4 3.98x
Monmouthshire 4 7.37x
Devon 2 1.28x
Lanarkshire 2 0.82x
Lancashire 2 0.22x
Berkshire 1 1.77x
Channel Islands 1 4.49x
Glamorgan 1 0.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bungay Holy Trinity in Suffolk leads with 6 Sheehys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1276.60x.

Place Total Index
Bungay Holy Trinity 6 1276.60x
Camberwell 6 12.51x
Clerkenwell London 6 33.84x
Islington London 6 8.24x
Lambeth 5 7.63x
Penge 5 104.17x
Bermondsey 4 17.89x
Leeds 4 9.52x
Shoreditch London 4 12.29x
Bedwellty 3 31.28x
Chiswick 3 73.17x
Edinburgh St Andrews 3 361.45x
Gate Fulford 3 172.41x
Newington 2 7.21x
Plymstock 2 243.90x
Cardiff St John 1 23.42x
Chelsea London 1 4.42x
Garston 1 38.02x
Glasgow 1 2.32x
Govan 1 1.66x
Monmouth 1 69.44x
Mortlake 1 61.35x
Pendleton In Salford 1 9.42x
Reading St Giles 1 18.08x
Rotherhithe 1 10.78x
South Leith 1 8.83x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 6.62x
St George Bloomsbury 1 23.20x
St Helier 1 13.79x
St Marylebone London 1 2.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Ellen 3
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Elizabeth 2
Kate 2
Margt. 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Bertha 1
Bridget 1
Clara 1
Dora 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helen 1
Honora 1
Jane 1
Margaret 1
Rosie 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Sheehy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sheehy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Sheehy surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sheehy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,035 in 2016. That gives Sheehy a modern rank of #5,635.

What does the Sheehy surname mean?

Anglicized form of Irish Ó Síothcháin, meaning "descendant of Síothchán," a personal name derived from síothchán, meaning "peace."

What does the Sheehy map show?

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