UK surname
An English surname derived from the animal name, originally a nickname.
In the 1881 census there were 132 people recorded with the Rabbit surname, ranking it #16,744 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 27, ranked #36,189, down from #16,744 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hadlow, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Renhold. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rabbit is 132 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 79.5%.
1881 census count
132
Ranked #16,744
Modern count
27
2016, ranked #36,189
Peak year
1881
132 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rabbit surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rabbit surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 100 | #17,164 |
| 1861 | historical | 105 | #20,298 |
| 1881 | historical | 132 | #16,744 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 88 | #24,270 |
| 1911 | historical | 69 | #25,965 |
| 1997 | modern | 22 | #35,584 |
| 1998 | modern | 22 | #35,687 |
| 1999 | modern | 20 | #35,923 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 10 | #36,964 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 15 | #36,621 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 23 | #36,400 |
| 2011 | modern | 21 | #36,502 |
| 2012 | modern | 23 | #36,366 |
| 2013 | modern | 26 | #36,217 |
| 2014 | modern | 28 | #36,107 |
| 2015 | modern | 27 | #36,173 |
| 2016 | modern | 27 | #36,189 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hadlow, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory, Renhold, Warrington and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hadlow | Kent |
| 2 | Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory | Northamptonshire |
| 3 | Renhold | Bedfordshire |
| 4 | Warrington | Lancashire |
| 5 | Leigh | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rabbit surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rabbit, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Rabbit surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rabbit household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Rabbit is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rabbit is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rabbit, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Rabbit is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word "rabbet," which referred to a small furry mammal known for its long ears and ability to hop. Rabbit was initially an occupational surname, given to individuals who worked as hunters or trappers of rabbits.
In the 13th century, the name Rabbit appeared in various historical records and documents. One notable mention was in the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire, dated 1274, which listed a person named Willelmus le Rabit. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the surname over time.
During the 14th century, the surname Rabbit was found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 listed a John Rabbet, suggesting the name's presence in the region.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Rabbit was Robert Rabbit, who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 14th century. He was mentioned in the Inquisitiones post mortem records from 1396, which documented the transfer of property upon a person's death.
In the 15th century, the name Rabbit was associated with several notable figures. William Rabbit (c. 1420-1490) was a prominent merchant from Bristol, known for his trade ventures with France and Spain. Meanwhile, John Rabbit (c. 1450-1518) was a respected lawyer and member of the Middle Temple in London.
The 16th century saw the surname Rabbit spread to other parts of England. Thomas Rabbit (1524-1589) was a farmer from Oxfordshire, while Elizabeth Rabbit (c. 1560-1632) was a landowner in Berkshire. During this period, the name was also found in various parish records and tax rolls.
As the centuries passed, the Rabbit surname continued to be widespread across England. Notable individuals with this name include:
1. Sir George Rabbit (1712-1784), a military officer who served in the British Army during the Seven Years' War. 2. Mary Rabbit (1745-1812), a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools for girls in London. 3. William Rabbit (1795-1868), a renowned architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in the Victorian era. 4. John Rabbit (1830-1901), a prominent writer and journalist who contributed to various newspapers and literary magazines. 5. Elizabeth Rabbit (1875-1957), a respected botanist and member of the Royal Horticultural Society, known for her work on plant taxonomy.
While the surname Rabbit originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and immigration patterns. However, its roots can be traced back to the medieval period, when it was likely an occupational name associated with rabbit hunting and trapping.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rabbit surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 49 Rabbits recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 49 | 3.21x |
| Kent | 26 | 5.92x |
| Warwickshire | 11 | 3.39x |
| Bedfordshire | 9 | 13.50x |
| Stirlingshire | 6 | 12.64x |
| Cheshire | 5 | 1.76x |
| Durham | 5 | 1.31x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 0.92x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.31x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 2.10x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.23x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.48x |
| Berkshire | 2 | 2.07x |
| Sussex | 2 | 0.92x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hadlow in Kent leads with 15 Rabbits recorded in 1881 and an index of 1376.15x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hadlow | 15 | 1376.15x |
| Warrington | 10 | 55.22x |
| Aston | 9 | 10.07x |
| Renhold | 9 | 3913.04x |
| Bedford | 7 | 218.75x |
| Heap | 7 | 86.42x |
| Stirling | 6 | 100.17x |
| East Peckham | 5 | 549.45x |
| Little Bolton | 5 | 25.46x |
| Altrincham | 4 | 80.48x |
| Billinge Chapel End | 4 | 465.12x |
| Gateshead | 4 | 13.95x |
| Great Bolton | 4 | 19.76x |
| Chadderton | 3 | 40.16x |
| Goudhurst | 3 | 245.90x |
| Halifax | 3 | 16.02x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 3 | 8.62x |
| Orpington | 3 | 222.22x |
| Wolverhampton | 3 | 8.98x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 1.85x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 2.16x |
| Pennington In Leigh | 2 | 68.26x |
| Salford | 2 | 4.45x |
| Warfield | 2 | 227.27x |
| Caterham | 1 | 36.10x |
| Chester St Michael | 1 | 303.03x |
| Croydon | 1 | 2.87x |
| Haydock | 1 | 38.02x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 1 | 6.03x |
| Kingswinford | 1 | 6.34x |
| Newhaven | 1 | 56.82x |
| Northowram | 1 | 11.17x |
| Rotherfield | 1 | 52.36x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 1 | 16.58x |
| St Clement Danes | 1 | 48.08x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 5.95x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 1.45x |
| West Derby | 1 | 2.24x |
| Woolston With | 1 | 454.55x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rabbit surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Rabbit surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Rabbit households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| Ag Lab | 10 |
| Farm Labourer | 5 |
| Cotton Operative | 3 |
| Ag La | 2 |
| Bedstead Painter | 2 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Fustian Cutter | 2 |
| Joiner | 2 |
| Lacemaker | 2 |
| Wok In Paper Mill | 2 |
| Ag Lab & Bailiff | 1 |
| Beer House Keeper | 1 |
| Cotton Frame Tenter | 1 |
| Cotton Piecer | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| D Serv Cook | 1 |
| Domestic Ser Housemaid | 1 |
| Dyers Labourer | 1 |
| Forge Labourer | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Genl Servant | 1 |
| Iron Labourer | 1 |
| Iron Ship Builder | 1 |
| Joiners Labourer | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Lab In Iron Wks | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer (Gen) | 1 |
| Labourer At Brewery | 1 |
| Labourer At Foundry | 1 |
| Labourer In Factory | 1 |
| Lace Maker | 1 |
| Linnen Winder | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Plasterers Labourer | 1 |
| Plate Layer | 1 |
| Quarryman (Stone) | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shoe Rivetter | 1 |
| Silk Weaver | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Stonemason | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Wash Woman | 1 |
| Wood Screw Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 132 people were recorded with the Rabbit surname. That placed it at #16,744 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 27 in 2016. That gives Rabbit a modern rank of #36,189.
An English surname derived from the animal name, originally a nickname.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rabbit bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.