NameCensus.

UK surname

Sheeran

An anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Sioráin, meaning "descendant of Siorán".

In the 1881 census there were 136 people recorded with the Sheeran surname, ranking it #16,433 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 656, ranked #8,116, up from #16,433 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Leeds and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dundonald, Loans and Symington, Wirral and Swindon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sheeran is 675 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 382.4%.

1881 census count

136

Ranked #16,433

Modern count

656

2016, ranked #8,116

Peak year

2014

675 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sheeran had 136 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,433 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 656 in 2016, ranked #8,116.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 220 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Sheeran surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sheeran surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sheeran 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 52 #23,915
1861 historical 109 #19,693
1881 historical 136 #16,433
1891 historical 179 #16,198
1901 historical 168 #16,886
1911 historical 220 #14,088
1997 modern 605 #8,094
1998 modern 639 #8,006
1999 modern 638 #8,074
2000 modern 635 #8,074
2001 modern 631 #7,959
2002 modern 643 #8,022
2003 modern 618 #8,139
2004 modern 600 #8,346
2005 modern 627 #7,994
2006 modern 623 #8,061
2007 modern 615 #8,203
2008 modern 627 #8,131
2009 modern 647 #8,107
2010 modern 673 #8,024
2011 modern 664 #8,021
2012 modern 649 #8,084
2013 modern 660 #8,117
2014 modern 675 #8,007
2015 modern 663 #8,063
2016 modern 656 #8,116

Geography

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Where Sheerans are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Dundonald, Loans and Symington, Wirral, Swindon, Drumchapel North and Torfaen. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Bangor Carnarvonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dundonald, Loans and Symington South Ayrshire
2 Wirral 026 Wirral
3 Swindon 013 Swindon
4 Drumchapel North Glasgow City
5 Torfaen 001 Torfaen

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sheeran

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sheeran

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Sheeran surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Sheeran household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Sheeran is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sheeran 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

Sheeran 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 Sheeran is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Sheeran

The surname Sheeran has its origins in Ireland, tracing back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Gaelic word "Siodharan," which means "descendant of Siodharadh." Siodharadh was an Irish personal name that has been anglicized to various spellings, including Sheeran, Sheerin, Sheerin, and Sheerins.

The earliest known bearers of the Sheeran surname were from County Leitrim, a region in the northwest of Ireland. Historical records suggest that the name was particularly concentrated in the parishes of Fenagh and Cloone. The Sheeran family was closely associated with these areas, and many of their descendants can still be found there today.

In the 17th century, the Sheeran name appeared in the Fiants of the Reign of Elizabeth, a collection of royal decrees and letters patent issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. This suggests that the Sheeran family had achieved some level of prominence or status during that period.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Sheeran surname was Patrick Sheeran, who was born in County Leitrim in the late 16th century. He was a notable landowner and played a role in local affairs during the turbulent times of the Irish Confederate Wars.

Another prominent figure was John Sheeran, born in County Leitrim in the early 17th century. He was a member of the Irish Parliament and actively participated in the political and religious struggles of his time.

In the 18th century, the Sheeran name gained recognition through Reverend James Sheeran, who was born in County Leitrim in 1720. He was a respected clergyman and scholar, known for his contributions to the field of theology.

During the 19th century, the Sheeran family continued to make their mark. William Sheeran, born in 1825, was a renowned poet and writer who published several works that explored the rich cultural heritage of Ireland.

Another notable individual was Mary Sheeran, born in 1860. She was a pioneering educator who established several schools in rural areas of Ireland, providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children.

Over the centuries, the Sheeran surname has been closely intertwined with the history and culture of Ireland. While the name may have evolved in its spelling and pronunciation, its roots remain firmly grounded in the stories and traditions of the Emerald Isle.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sheeran families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sheeran 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 29 Sheerans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.88x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 29 1.88x
Yorkshire 18 1.40x
Midlothian 15 8.63x
Kent 14 3.16x
Caernarfonshire 13 24.78x
Staffordshire 12 2.74x
Lanarkshire 7 1.67x
Northumberland 7 3.63x
Angus 5 4.16x
Derbyshire 4 1.97x
Middlesex 3 0.23x
Surrey 3 0.47x
Devon 1 0.37x
Lincolnshire 1 0.48x
Royal Navy 1 6.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 14 Sheerans recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.28x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 14 19.28x
Newcastle Under Lyme 11 141.94x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 10 14.30x
Salford 10 22.08x
Manchester 9 13.00x
Folkestone 8 93.13x
Llanbeblig 7 131.58x
Bangor 6 118.58x
Govan 6 5.78x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 6 52.04x
Woolwich 6 36.70x
Dundee 5 11.14x
Edinburgh Old Church 5 357.14x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 16.35x
Elland Cum Greetland 3 51.81x
Newington 3 6.26x
West Derby 3 6.66x
Wormhill 2 465.12x
Barlborough 1 133.33x
Gate Fulford 1 33.33x
Glasgow 1 1.34x
Grantham 1 37.04x
Hulme 1 3.11x
Ilkeston 1 17.57x
Isleworth 1 17.33x
Liverpool 1 1.07x
Mile End Old Town 1 4.88x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 9.99x
Royal Navy 1 7.56x
St Marylebone London 1 1.44x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 2.15x
Tormoham 1 8.75x
Warrington 1 5.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Bridget 6
Margaret 6
Elizabeth 5
Catherine 4
Ellen 4
Annie 2
Emily 2
Lucy 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Emma 1
Harriet 1
Jane 1
Julia 1
Kate 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 12
John 7
Thomas 5
Patrick 3
William 3
Bernard 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
George 2
Henry 2
Michael 2
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Dennis 1
Domonie 1
Frank 1
Joseph 1
Martin 1
Peter 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Sheeran surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sheeran surname in 1881?

In 1881, 136 people were recorded with the Sheeran surname. That placed it at #16,433 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sheeran surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 656 in 2016. That gives Sheeran a modern rank of #8,116.

What does the Sheeran surname mean?

An anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Sioráin, meaning "descendant of Siorán".

What does the Sheeran map show?

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