The city was under the jurisdiction of the Cork Liberties.

From JCHAS:

The name is derived from the same source as that of the city, and probably anciently comprised "the cantreds of the Ostmen or Danes" excepted out of the grant made by Henry II of the kingdom of Cork to de Cogan and Fitzstephen. It gives title of earl to the Boyle family. Richard Boyle, first earl, generally called "the Great Earl of Cork," is described by Sir Richard Cox as "one of the most extraordinary persons that that age produced." Besides other public works, he established the towns of Lismore, Tallow, Clonakilty, Enniskean, Castletown, and Bandon, and planted large districts with English undertakers. According to Smith, he projected a town at Carrigaline, in opposition to the city of Cork.

The 1659 census did not enumerate by household. However, surname frequencies were noted. Below is a list of the surnames found in the Cork Liberties, in descending order of frequency.