After Kelly, which surnames were most common in Kildare in 1890, and why?
Murphy, with 34 birth registrations to Kelly's 40, then Dunne on 32, Byrne on 28 and Nolan on 20, with Connor and Smith on 18 apiece. The why is in the map. Kildare sits in the heart of Leinster, ringed by the counties these names belong to: Byrne pours in from Wicklow, Nolan belongs to the Carlow country just south, Dunne is a great Laois and midlands name, and Murphy is strong everywhere in the south east. Kildare was also garrison and racing country, with the Curragh camp and the big houses drawing soldiers, grooms and servants from all over Ireland, which is how a name like Smith reaches 18.
Useful pages: The Irish surnames map · Trace your Irish roots · The 1926 Census guide · Coming home · Irish around the world · Plan your journey
Sources
- R. E. Matheson, Special Report on Surnames in Ireland; Patrick Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923)
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