NameCensus.

UK surname

Tarpey

An anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Tarpaidh, referring to a person from a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 193 people recorded with the Tarpey surname, ranking it #13,144 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 504, ranked #9,938, up from #13,144 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Doncaster, Bidstone and Kidderminster. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, Tamworth and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tarpey is 550 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 161.1%.

1881 census count

193

Ranked #13,144

Modern count

504

2016, ranked #9,938

Peak year

2000

550 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tarpey had 193 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,144 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 504 in 2016, ranked #9,938.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 307 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Tarpey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tarpey surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tarpey 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 17 #30,267
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 193 #13,144
1891 historical 193 #15,335
1901 historical 267 #12,587
1911 historical 307 #11,257
1997 modern 514 #9,129
1998 modern 543 #9,010
1999 modern 547 #9,024
2000 modern 550 #8,943
2001 modern 544 #8,875
2002 modern 547 #9,017
2003 modern 548 #8,860
2004 modern 544 #8,933
2005 modern 517 #9,217
2006 modern 520 #9,208
2007 modern 513 #9,393
2008 modern 523 #9,316
2009 modern 538 #9,327
2010 modern 541 #9,481
2011 modern 530 #9,541
2012 modern 498 #9,886
2013 modern 508 #9,902
2014 modern 513 #9,899
2015 modern 514 #9,823
2016 modern 504 #9,938

Geography

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Where Tarpeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Doncaster, Bidstone, Kidderminster, Liverpool and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, Tamworth, Manchester, Ashfield and Rochdale. 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 Doncaster Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Bidstone Cheshire
3 Kidderminster Worcestershire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 015 Wigan
2 Tamworth 007 Tamworth
3 Manchester 029 Manchester
4 Ashfield 015 Ashfield
5 Rochdale 018 Rochdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tarpey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tarpey

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

Tarpey is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Tarpey

The surname Tarpey originated in Ireland and is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word 'tarbh,' meaning 'bull.' This indicates that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone with a strong or bull-like appearance or personality.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name Tarpey dates back to the late 16th century in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The name was initially found in records as 'O'Tarpey' or 'Ó Tarbhaigh,' which later evolved into the more anglicized form of 'Tarpey.'

In the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history, there is a reference to an individual named 'Tadhg O'Tarpey' who lived in the 14th century and was a prominent figure in the region of Tyrone.

One notable historical figure with the surname Tarpey was John Tarpey, born in 1764 in County Tyrone. He was a prominent leader in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and fought against British rule in Ireland.

Another early recorded example of the surname Tarpey is found in the Hearth Money Rolls of 1665, a tax record from the 17th century. The record lists a 'William Tarpey' as a resident of County Donegal, Ireland.

In the 19th century, a famous bearer of the surname was Michael Tarpey, born in 1837 in County Tyrone. He was a renowned Irish scholar and author, known for his works on Irish language and literature.

During the same period, James Tarpey, born in 1842 in County Donegal, gained recognition as a successful businessman and philanthropist, contributing significantly to the local community.

Another notable figure was Mary Tarpey, born in 1876 in County Mayo. She was a prominent activist and campaigner for women's rights and played a significant role in the Irish suffragette movement.

While the surname Tarpey originated in Ireland, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to Irish emigration. However, the name remains deeply rooted in its Irish heritage and continues to be associated with the historical regions of Tyrone, Donegal, and Mayo.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tarpey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tarpey 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. Yorkshire leads with 68 Tarpeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.68x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 68 3.68x
Lancashire 67 3.03x
Worcestershire 14 5.75x
Warwickshire 9 1.92x
Durham 7 1.26x
Staffordshire 6 0.95x
Oxfordshire 4 3.48x
Middlesex 3 0.16x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.19x
Somerset 3 1.00x
Cheshire 2 0.49x
Cumberland 2 1.25x
Derbyshire 1 0.34x
Essex 1 0.27x
Surrey 1 0.11x

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 18 Tarpeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.27x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 18 17.27x
Liverpool 17 12.66x
Batley 10 57.01x
Kidderminster Borough 10 70.22x
Layton With Warbreck 9 110.97x
Bury 8 31.68x
Over Darwen 8 45.30x
Castleton 7 31.70x
Doncaster 7 51.89x
Stockton On Tees 7 26.20x
Swinefleet 7 875.00x
Widnes 7 43.91x
Ardsley 6 281.69x
Aston 5 3.86x
Southowram 5 88.81x
Birmingham 4 2.55x
Dewsbury 4 21.13x
Handborough 4 645.16x
Openshaw 4 38.65x
Osgodby In Selby 4 2857.14x
Tipton 4 20.77x
Droitwich St Peter 3 545.45x
Nottingham St Mary 3 4.62x
Taunton St Mary 3 54.55x
Aspull 2 38.46x
Holy Trinity 2 4.50x
Islington London 2 1.11x
St Cuthbert W O 2 25.58x
Wigan 2 6.47x
Chester St Oswald 1 13.42x
Claines 1 14.97x
Colchester St Giles 1 27.55x
Farnley In Bramley 1 43.48x
Lambeth 1 0.62x
Lapley 1 212.77x
Liscard 1 13.50x
Mark Eaton 1 227.27x
Oldham 1 1.40x
Rainford 1 41.84x
Rothwell 1 26.81x
Sheffield 1 1.70x
St George Hanover 1 4.11x
Tonge 1 21.55x
West Newton W Burton 1 1111.11x
Weston Under Lizard 1 555.56x
York St George 1 68.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Bridget 8
Ellen 8
Catherine 7
Elizabeth 7
Annie 6
Margaret 5
Sarah 5
Ann 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Rose 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Bertha 1
Catharine 1
Cathrain 1
Charlotte 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Julia 1
Libina 1
Louisa 1
Maggie 1
Margrett 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 21
John 19
Thomas 15
Patrick 6
Joseph 4
Michael 4
William 3
Alfred 2
Anthony 2
Dominic 2
Francis 2
George 2
Martin 2
Antony 1
Arthur 1
Bartley 1
Bryan 1
Clementine 1
Dominick 1
Edward 1
Luke 1
Markis 1
Micheal 1
Patsy 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Tarpey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tarpey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 193 people were recorded with the Tarpey surname. That placed it at #13,144 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tarpey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 504 in 2016. That gives Tarpey a modern rank of #9,938.

What does the Tarpey surname mean?

An anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Tarpaidh, referring to a person from a place name.

What does the Tarpey map show?

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