NameCensus.

UK surname

Twomey

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Tuama," meaning "descendant of Tuama" (a personal name meaning "plague").

In the 1881 census there were 53 people recorded with the Twomey surname, ranking it #26,134 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,041, ranked #5,601, up from #26,134 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Mary Whitechapel and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rugby, Neath Port Talbot and Barking and Dagenham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Twomey is 1,069 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1864.2%.

1881 census count

53

Ranked #26,134

Modern count

1,041

2016, ranked #5,601

Peak year

2014

1,069 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Twomey had 53 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,134 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,041 in 2016, ranked #5,601.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 206 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Twomey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Twomey surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Twomey 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 67 #21,440
1861 historical 28 #30,405
1881 historical 53 #26,134
1891 historical 83 #26,376
1901 historical 157 #17,577
1911 historical 206 #14,677
1997 modern 955 #5,694
1998 modern 994 #5,703
1999 modern 1,005 #5,691
2000 modern 988 #5,745
2001 modern 964 #5,757
2002 modern 1,010 #5,644
2003 modern 966 #5,752
2004 modern 979 #5,697
2005 modern 964 #5,714
2006 modern 938 #5,852
2007 modern 950 #5,852
2008 modern 978 #5,750
2009 modern 1,007 #5,734
2010 modern 1,028 #5,747
2011 modern 1,036 #5,655
2012 modern 1,031 #5,597
2013 modern 1,060 #5,551
2014 modern 1,069 #5,545
2015 modern 1,039 #5,626
2016 modern 1,041 #5,601

Geography

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Where Twomeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Mary Whitechapel, London parishes and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rugby, Neath Port Talbot, Barking and Dagenham and Suffolk Coastal. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rugby 012 Rugby
2 Neath Port Talbot 017 Neath Port Talbot
3 Neath Port Talbot 014 Neath Port Talbot
4 Barking and Dagenham 020 Barking and Dagenham
5 Suffolk Coastal 013 Suffolk Coastal

Forenames

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First names often paired with Twomey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Twomey

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Twomey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Twomey household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Twomey is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Twomey 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

Twomey falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Twomey

The surname Twomey originates from Ireland, specifically from the southwestern region of County Cork. It is an anglicized version of the Old Irish Gaelic name "Ó Tuama," which means "descendant of Tuama." The name Tuama is derived from the word "tuaim," meaning "a tumulus or burial mound."

The earliest recorded instances of the name Twomey can be traced back to the 12th century, where it was found in various Irish annals and manuscripts. One notable early reference is in the Annals of Inisfallen, which mentions a "Donnchad Ua Tuama" in the year 1164.

In the 16th century, the Twomey family was prominent in the barony of Muskerry, County Cork, where they were among the leading septs (clans) of the MacCarthy Reagh dynasty. During this period, the name was also spelled as "Toomey," "Twoomy," and "Twomy."

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname Twomey was Dermot Twomey, who was born in County Cork around 1580. He was a member of the Irish military and fought in the Nine Years' War against English forces.

Another notable figure was William Twomey (1619-1688), who was a Catholic priest and scholar from County Cork. He served as the Bishop of Cork and Cloyne and was known for his opposition to the Penal Laws imposed on Catholics in Ireland.

In the 18th century, John Twomey (1714-1792) was a prominent landowner and member of the Irish Parliament, representing the constituency of Doneraile in County Cork.

During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, Michael Twomey (1770-1798) was a leader of the United Irishmen rebellion in County Cork. He was captured and executed by British forces in 1798.

In the 19th century, Michael Twomey (1805-1878) was a notable Irish Catholic priest and educator. He was the founder of St. Colman's College in Fermoy, County Cork, which became one of the leading Catholic schools in Ireland.

While the surname Twomey has its origins in County Cork, it has since spread throughout Ireland and to other parts of the world due to emigration. However, the name retains its strong connections to its historical roots in the southwestern region of Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Twomey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Twomey 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. Middlesex leads with 12 Twomeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 12 2.37x
Hampshire 7 6.73x
Royal Navy 7 115.89x
Monmouthshire 6 16.37x
Kent 4 2.31x
Cambridgeshire 3 9.34x
Devon 2 1.89x
Essex 2 2.00x
Staffordshire 2 1.17x
Cheshire 1 0.89x
Lancashire 1 0.17x
Norfolk 1 1.28x
Renfrewshire 1 2.54x
Surrey 1 0.40x
Sussex 1 1.17x
Warwickshire 1 0.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Royal Navy in Royal Navy leads with 7 Twomeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 135.40x.

Place Total Index
Royal Navy 7 135.40x
Southampton St Mary 7 107.03x
Clerkenwell London 6 50.13x
St Marylebone London 6 22.16x
St Woollos 6 146.70x
Deptford St Paul 3 22.47x
Wisbech St Peter 3 186.34x
Devonport 2 165.29x
Harborne 2 36.43x
West Ham 2 9.05x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 20.92x
Croydon 1 7.29x
Greenock Oldor West 1 909.09x
Hove 1 26.67x
Minster In Sheppey 1 34.84x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 1 196.08x
Rugby 1 57.80x
Upton By Birkenhead 1 909.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 3
Catherine 2
Agatha 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Catharine 1
Christina 1
Dasey 1
Edburga 1
Edith 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Julia 1
Louise 1
Marian 1
Maud 1
Nancy 1
Rosa 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

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 Twomey households.

FAQ

Twomey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Twomey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 53 people were recorded with the Twomey surname. That placed it at #26,134 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Twomey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,041 in 2016. That gives Twomey a modern rank of #5,601.

What does the Twomey surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Tuama," meaning "descendant of Tuama" (a personal name meaning "plague").

What does the Twomey map show?

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