NameCensus.

UK surname

Toher

A derivative of the German name Thoer referring to someone living near a gate or door.

In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Toher surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 136, ranked #25,377, up from #32,416 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Norfolk, Cornwall and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Toher is 137 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1411.1%.

1881 census count

9

Ranked #32,416

Modern count

136

2016, ranked #25,377

Peak year

2010

137 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Toher had 9 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,416 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 136 in 2016, ranked #25,377.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Toher surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Toher surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Toher 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 10 #32,589
1881 historical 9 #32,416
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 113 #25,106
1998 modern 116 #25,332
1999 modern 116 #25,487
2000 modern 113 #25,843
2001 modern 109 #26,059
2002 modern 109 #26,552
2003 modern 111 #26,091
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 113 #26,267
2007 modern 121 #25,469
2008 modern 121 #25,785
2009 modern 125 #25,823
2010 modern 137 #24,907
2011 modern 127 #25,926
2012 modern 119 #27,100
2013 modern 125 #26,695
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 130 #26,093
2016 modern 136 #25,377

Geography

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Where Tohers 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 North Norfolk, Cornwall, Redbridge, Leeds and Dudley. 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 North Norfolk 008 North Norfolk
2 Cornwall 027 Cornwall
3 Redbridge 018 Redbridge
4 Leeds 091 Leeds
5 Dudley 001 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Toher

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Toher

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Toher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Toher household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Toher is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Toher is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Toher falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Toher

The surname Toher is believed to have originated in Ireland, tracing its roots back to the ancient Gaelic language. It is thought to be derived from the Irish word "tuathair," meaning "northerner" or "from the north." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who resided in or hailed from the northern regions of Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Toher surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. This ancient text mentions a notable figure named Domhnall O'Toher, who lived in the 14th century and was a prominent leader in County Donegal.

In the 16th century, the Toher name appeared in various historical records, including the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, which were administrative documents issued by the English government during their rule over Ireland. These records mention a John Toher who held land in County Fermanagh.

During the 17th century, the Toher surname gained further recognition with the birth of Terence Toher (1620-1693), a celebrated Irish poet and historian. His works, written in the Irish language, provided valuable insights into the culture and traditions of his time.

Another noteworthy individual bearing the Toher surname was Patrick Toher (1765-1841), a prominent Irish lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. His distinguished legal career spanned several decades and made a significant impact on the Irish judicial system.

In the 19th century, the Toher name gained international recognition with the accomplishments of Michael Toher (1823-1899), a renowned Irish-American architect. Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, he immigrated to the United States and designed numerous prominent buildings, including the iconic Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut.

Throughout history, the Toher surname has been associated with various locations in Ireland, particularly in counties such as Donegal, Fermanagh, and Tipperary. The name has also been spelled in different variations, including Toher, Tohur, and Tougher, reflecting the fluidity of historical record-keeping and regional dialects.

While the Toher surname may have originated in Ireland, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to immigration and diaspora. However, its rich history and associations with the northern regions of Ireland remain an integral part of its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Toher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Toher 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 5 Tohers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.76x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 5 5.76x
Lancashire 2 1.92x
Denbighshire 1 30.21x
Kent 1 3.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradford in Yorkshire leads with 4 Tohers recorded in 1881 and an index of 190.48x.

Place Total Index
Bradford 4 190.48x
Toxteth Park 2 56.82x
Gillingham 1 161.29x
Leeds 1 20.41x
Wrexham Regis 1 400.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bridget 2
Mary 2
Ellen 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 1
Michael 1
Patrick 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

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 Toher households.

FAQ

Toher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Toher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Toher surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Toher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 136 in 2016. That gives Toher a modern rank of #25,377.

What does the Toher surname mean?

A derivative of the German name Thoer referring to someone living near a gate or door.

What does the Toher map show?

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