UK surname
An anglicized form of the Irish surname Sheehan, which means "descendant of Siodhacháin", a personal name.
In the 1881 census there were 85 people recorded with the Shehan surname, ranking it #21,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 52, ranked #34,780, down from #21,573 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Devonport Stonehouse, East, St George Bloomsbury and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shehan is 100 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.8%.
1881 census count
85
Ranked #21,573
Modern count
52
2016, ranked #34,780
Peak year
1851
100 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Shehan surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Shehan surname density by area, 1851 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 100 | #17,164 |
| 1861 | historical | 55 | #27,007 |
| 1881 | historical | 85 | #21,573 |
| 1891 | historical | 67 | #28,424 |
| 1901 | historical | 83 | #24,900 |
| 1911 | historical | 31 | #29,952 |
| 1997 | modern | 56 | #32,004 |
| 1998 | modern | 55 | #32,399 |
| 1999 | modern | 55 | #32,561 |
| 2000 | modern | 50 | #33,087 |
| 2001 | modern | 52 | #32,764 |
| 2002 | modern | 52 | #33,110 |
| 2003 | modern | 50 | #33,362 |
| 2004 | modern | 44 | #34,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 43 | #34,328 |
| 2006 | modern | 47 | #34,335 |
| 2007 | modern | 50 | #34,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 53 | #34,315 |
| 2009 | modern | 57 | #34,225 |
| 2010 | modern | 56 | #34,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 56 | #34,450 |
| 2012 | modern | 51 | #34,756 |
| 2013 | modern | 49 | #34,952 |
| 2014 | modern | 51 | #34,865 |
| 2015 | modern | 51 | #34,834 |
| 2016 | modern | 52 | #34,780 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Devonport Stonehouse, East, St George Bloomsbury, London parishes and Astbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devonport Stonehouse, East | Devon |
| 2 | St George Bloomsbury | London (Central Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 4 | Astbury | Cheshire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Shehan surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Shehan, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Shehan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Shehan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Shehan is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shehan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Shehan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname SHEHAN is of Irish origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Gaelic language and the early medieval period. It is believed to have originated in County Clare, a region along the western coast of Ireland known for its rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SHEHAN can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle that dates back to the 17th century. These annals mention a figure named Seán Ó Siodhachain, who lived in the 15th century and was a member of a prominent clan in County Clare.
The name SHEHAN is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words "sídh" and "achadh," which together translate to "fairy field" or "green field." This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have lived in areas known for their lush meadows or association with folklore and fairy tales.
In the 16th century, the name SHEHAN appeared in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, legal records maintained by the English crown during its rule over Ireland. This indicates that the name was well-established by that time and may have gained recognition beyond its local origins.
Notable individuals with the surname SHEHAN include:
1. Michael Shehan (1805-1887), an Irish-born Catholic priest who served as the first Bishop of Hartford, Connecticut, in the United States.
2. John Shehan (1865-1922), an American politician and lawyer who served as the 35th Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1919 to 1922.
3. Patrick Shehan (1887-1964), an Irish-born prelate who served as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, from 1953 until his death.
4. John Shehan (born 1942), an American film director and screenwriter known for his work on the 1978 film "F.I.S.T." and the 1982 film "Honkytonk Man."
5. James Shehan (1920-2006), an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the renowned Shehan Printing Company in New York City.
While the SHEHAN surname may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its deep roots in Irish heritage and connection to the verdant landscapes of County Clare have been preserved, making it a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the Emerald Isle.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Shehan surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 42 Shehans recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.07x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 42 | 5.07x |
| Monmouthshire | 9 | 15.02x |
| Northumberland | 7 | 5.67x |
| Lancashire | 6 | 0.61x |
| Kent | 5 | 1.77x |
| Surrey | 4 | 0.99x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 1.84x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 1.09x |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 3.50x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.58x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.61x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.69x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.59x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Giles In Fields in Middlesex leads with 10 Shehans recorded in 1881 and an index of 349.65x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Giles In Fields | 10 | 349.65x |
| Aberystruth | 9 | 170.45x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 9 | 189.08x |
| Chelsea London | 8 | 32.03x |
| St Marylebone London | 8 | 18.07x |
| Seaton Delaval | 7 | 648.15x |
| Deptford St Paul | 4 | 18.33x |
| Congleton | 2 | 63.29x |
| Manchester | 2 | 4.52x |
| Newington | 2 | 6.53x |
| Watford | 2 | 45.15x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 1 | 12.80x |
| Bristol St James St Paul | 1 | 18.45x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 5.48x |
| Byfleet | 1 | 277.78x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 12.58x |
| Chiswick | 1 | 22.08x |
| Cirencester | 1 | 45.45x |
| Clifton | 1 | 12.17x |
| East Stonehouse | 1 | 29.41x |
| Grays Thurrock | 1 | 65.79x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 4.90x |
| Heston | 1 | 36.36x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 22.42x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.24x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.17x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 6.04x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.38x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.67x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 9.35x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 1 | 21.32x |
| St George In East | 1 | 17.73x |
| Toxteth Park | 1 | 3.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Shehan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Shehan surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Shehan households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 18 |
| Coal Miner | 8 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Bricklayers Labourer | 2 |
| Dom Serv | 2 |
| Errand Boy | 2 |
| Bookfolder | 1 |
| Boy Royal Navy | 1 |
| Brick Labourer | 1 |
| Bricklayers Laborer | 1 |
| Coachman Domes Serv | 1 |
| Coal Miners Wife | 1 |
| Colliery Lab (Miner) | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressing Maker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Goods Guard | 1 |
| Greengrocer | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Groom (N D) | 1 |
| Haulier | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid (Domestic Servant) | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Mangler | 1 |
| No Occ | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| Painters Labourer | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Rivitter Shipyard (Builder) | 1 |
| Shop Keeper Grocers | 1 |
| Silk Weaver | 1 |
| Staymaker | 1 |
| Stoker 2 Cl. | 1 |
| Warehouseman | 1 |
| Washer | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 85 people were recorded with the Shehan surname. That placed it at #21,573 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 52 in 2016. That gives Shehan a modern rank of #34,780.
An anglicized form of the Irish surname Sheehan, which means "descendant of Siodhacháin", a personal name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Shehan bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.