NameCensus.

UK surname

Rabey

A variant spelling of the English surname "Robey", derived from the Old French "Robey", meaning robust or from Robertville.

In the 1881 census there were 116 people recorded with the Rabey surname, ranking it #18,126 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 295, ranked #14,915, up from #18,126 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Padstow, Redruth and Kenwyn, Tregavethan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Swansea and Cambridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rabey is 329 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 154.3%.

1881 census count

116

Ranked #18,126

Modern count

295

2016, ranked #14,915

Peak year

1999

329 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rabey had 116 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,126 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 295 in 2016, ranked #14,915.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 216 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rabey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rabey surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rabey 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 137 #13,812
1861 historical 108 #19,856
1881 historical 116 #18,126
1891 historical 171 #16,733
1901 historical 164 #17,144
1911 historical 216 #14,240
1997 modern 295 #13,680
1998 modern 320 #13,299
1999 modern 329 #13,147
2000 modern 325 #13,221
2001 modern 302 #13,668
2002 modern 297 #14,081
2003 modern 283 #14,368
2004 modern 288 #14,254
2005 modern 281 #14,411
2006 modern 281 #14,500
2007 modern 281 #14,660
2008 modern 277 #14,940
2009 modern 287 #14,877
2010 modern 287 #15,195
2011 modern 294 #14,798
2012 modern 287 #14,978
2013 modern 291 #15,067
2014 modern 292 #15,129
2015 modern 292 #15,046
2016 modern 295 #14,915

Geography

Back to top

Where Rabeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Padstow, Redruth, Kenwyn, Tregavethan, Swansea and St Merryn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Swansea and Cambridge. 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 Padstow Cornwall
2 Redruth Cornwall
3 Kenwyn, Tregavethan Cornwall
4 Swansea Glamorganshire
5 St Merryn Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 008 Cornwall
2 Swansea 003 Swansea
3 Cornwall 019 Cornwall
4 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
5 Cornwall 071 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rabey

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rabey

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Rabey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rabey 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Rabey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rabey 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

Rabey falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rabey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Rabey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rabey

The surname Rabey is of Anglo-Norman origin, and its roots can be traced back to the regions of modern-day France and England during the Middle Ages. The name is believed to have derived from the Old French word "rabé," which means "vigorous" or "fierce," suggesting that the name may have been given to someone with a strong or aggressive personality.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Rabey can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Rabe, which is likely an early spelling variation of the surname.

In the 13th century, the name Rabey appeared in various historical records, including the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where a certain Richard Rabey was listed as a landowner. This suggests that the name had become established in England by this time.

During the 14th century, the surname Rabey was found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Hampshire. One notable individual from this period was John Rabey, who was born in Oxfordshire around 1320 and served as a tax collector for the Crown.

In the 16th century, the name Rabey was associated with several notable figures, including William Rabey (1525-1590), a prominent merchant and landowner in Berkshire. Another individual of note was Thomas Rabey (1560-1625), a scholar and theologian who authored several works on religious topics.

The 17th century saw the emergence of several Rabeys who made significant contributions to various fields. One such individual was Sir Robert Rabey (1620-1689), a successful military commander who served in the English Civil War and later became a member of Parliament.

In the 18th century, the name Rabey was found in various parts of England, as well as in some parts of Scotland and Ireland. One notable figure from this period was James Rabey (1745-1815), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in London and surrounding areas.

Throughout the 19th century, the Rabey surname continued to be prominent in various parts of the United Kingdom. One notable individual from this period was Elizabeth Rabey (1810-1892), a philanthropist and social reformer who worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of the poor and underprivileged.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rabey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rabey 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. Channel Islands leads with 57 Rabeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 114.00x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 57 114.00x
Cornwall 55 28.79x
Middlesex 17 1.01x
Essex 12 3.60x
Cambridgeshire 9 8.42x
Glamorgan 9 3.06x
Kent 4 0.69x
Leicestershire 4 2.14x
Lancashire 2 0.10x
Staffordshire 2 0.35x
Warwickshire 1 0.24x
Yorkshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Martin in Channel Islands leads with 37 Rabeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1209.15x.

Place Total Index
St Martin 37 1209.15x
St Merryn 19 6129.03x
St Ervan 13 5652.17x
West Ham 12 16.32x
St Peter Port 10 108.11x
Llansamlet Higher 9 410.96x
St Michaelinthe Vale 8 449.44x
Chesterton 6 181.82x
Islington London 6 3.67x
Shoreditch London 6 8.20x
Gwennap 4 111.11x
Kenwyn 4 80.00x
Leicester St Mary 4 26.46x
Little Petherick 4 3333.33x
St Issey 4 1025.64x
March 3 83.80x
Hawkshead Monk Coniston 2 285.71x
Lewisham 2 6.51x
Padstow 2 157.48x
Ramsgate 2 21.28x
Redruth 2 37.04x
St George In East 2 17.42x
St Helier 2 12.29x
Tottenham 2 7.44x
Coventry St Michael 1 7.32x
Kea 1 70.42x
Kingswinford 1 4.84x
Middlesbrough 1 4.59x
Newlyn 1 121.95x
St Stephen 1 147.06x
Westminster St 1 16.08x
Wolverhampton 1 2.28x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 12
John 11
Thomas 8
George 7
James 5
David 3
Henry 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Frederick 2
Geo. 2
Joseph 2
Nicholas 2
Richard 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Elizah 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Freathy 1
Fredreick 1
Freethy 1
Harold 1
Hedley 1
Infant 1
Joel 1
Luther 1
Manny 1
Martin 1
Morris 1
Peter 1
Silvester 1
Simeon 1
Stephen 1
Theophilus 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Rabey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rabey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 116 people were recorded with the Rabey surname. That placed it at #18,126 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rabey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 295 in 2016. That gives Rabey a modern rank of #14,915.

What does the Rabey surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English surname "Robey", derived from the Old French "Robey", meaning robust or from Robertville.

What does the Rabey map show?

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