NameCensus.

UK surname

Togher

A topographic name referring to someone who lived near a causeway or path across boggy ground.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lincoln, Cambridge and Darlington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Togher is 411 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

382

2016, ranked #12,292

Peak year

2010

411 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 382 in 2016, ranked #12,292.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Togher surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Togher surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Togher 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 1 #33,412
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1997 modern 377 #11,508
1998 modern 376 #11,918
1999 modern 372 #12,076
2000 modern 371 #12,052
2001 modern 355 #12,253
2002 modern 361 #12,337
2003 modern 377 #11,762
2004 modern 364 #12,110
2005 modern 370 #11,875
2006 modern 383 #11,600
2007 modern 388 #11,630
2008 modern 396 #11,581
2009 modern 401 #11,712
2010 modern 411 #11,723
2011 modern 395 #11,966
2012 modern 368 #12,468
2013 modern 373 #12,550
2014 modern 380 #12,449
2015 modern 380 #12,364
2016 modern 382 #12,292

Geography

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Where Toghers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lincoln, Cambridge, Darlington, Kelty East and Wigan. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lincoln 006 Lincoln
2 Cambridge 002 Cambridge
3 Darlington 011 Darlington
4 Kelty East Fife
5 Wigan 013 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Togher

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Togher

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

Togher is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Togher falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Togher

The surname Togher is believed to have originated in Ireland, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "tóchar," which means a causeway or dry path across a marsh or bog. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname likely lived near or were associated with such geographical features.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Togher can be found in the Fiants of the Reign of Elizabeth I, a collection of documents from the 16th century. In these records, a man named Patrick Togher is mentioned as residing in County Cork, Ireland, in the year 1595. This provides evidence of the name's existence during the late 16th century.

The Togher name is closely linked to various place names in Ireland, particularly those containing the word "tóchar." For example, the townland of Togher in County Waterford and the village of Togher in County Cork both derive their names from the same linguistic root as the surname.

In the 17th century, the Togher surname appears in the Petty's Census of Ireland, conducted in 1659. This census recorded several families bearing the name, predominantly in the counties of Cork and Waterford, further solidifying the name's connection to these regions.

One notable figure in history who bore the surname Togher was John Togher (1650-1718), an Irish Catholic priest and theologian. He served as the Bishop of Cork and Cloyne from 1709 until his death in 1718, playing a significant role in the religious life of the region during that time.

Another individual of note was Michael Togher (1792-1860), an Irish businessman and politician. He was a member of the British Parliament, representing the constituency of Dundalk from 1835 to 1837. Togher was also involved in trade and commerce, owning several mills and businesses in Ireland.

In the 19th century, the surname Togher made its way to the United States, as many Irish immigrants settled in various parts of the country. One such individual was Patrick Togher (1810-1892), who emigrated from County Cork and became a successful businessman and landowner in New York City.

The name Togher has also been recorded in various spellings throughout history, such as Tougher, Toghar, and Toughor. These variations likely arose due to regional dialects, phonetic adaptations, and the variations in how scribes and record-keepers transcribed the name over time.

While the Togher surname is not among the most common in Ireland or other parts of the world, it has a rich history and a strong connection to the Irish landscape and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Togher surname: questions and answers

How common is the Togher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 382 in 2016. That gives Togher a modern rank of #12,292.

What does the Togher surname mean?

A topographic name referring to someone who lived near a causeway or path across boggy ground.

What does the Togher map show?

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