NameCensus.

UK surname

Raeburn

A Scottish place surname derived from a location meaning 'the stream of the roe deer'.

In the 1881 census there were 667 people recorded with the Raeburn surname, ranking it #5,405 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,339, ranked #4,502, up from #5,405 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dunbar, Govan Combination and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Huntly, Muirhouse and IZ05.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Raeburn is 1,339 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 100.7%.

1881 census count

667

Ranked #5,405

Modern count

1,339

2016, ranked #4,502

Peak year

2016

1,339 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Raeburn had 667 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,405 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,339 in 2016, ranked #4,502.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 819 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Raeburn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Raeburn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Raeburn 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 395 #6,095
1861 historical 372 #6,857
1881 historical 667 #5,405
1891 historical 753 #5,289
1901 historical 819 #5,515
1911 historical 232 #13,592
1997 modern 1,271 #4,483
1998 modern 1,296 #4,584
1999 modern 1,307 #4,580
2000 modern 1,316 #4,517
2001 modern 1,262 #4,609
2002 modern 1,323 #4,501
2003 modern 1,252 #4,638
2004 modern 1,253 #4,631
2005 modern 1,288 #4,465
2006 modern 1,272 #4,535
2007 modern 1,291 #4,517
2008 modern 1,283 #4,562
2009 modern 1,302 #4,600
2010 modern 1,308 #4,680
2011 modern 1,300 #4,642
2012 modern 1,314 #4,523
2013 modern 1,321 #4,589
2014 modern 1,336 #4,561
2015 modern 1,328 #4,548
2016 modern 1,339 #4,502

Geography

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Where Raeburns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dunbar, Govan Combination, London parishes, Gateshead and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Huntly, Muirhouse, IZ05, Auchterless and Monquhitter and Wealden. 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 Dunbar Haddington
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Huntly Aberdeenshire
2 Muirhouse City of Edinburgh
3 IZ05 East Lothian
4 Auchterless and Monquhitter Aberdeenshire
5 Wealden 005 Wealden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Raeburn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Raeburn

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Raeburn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Raeburn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Raeburn is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Raeburn is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Raeburn falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Raeburn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Raeburn

The surname Raeburn is of Scottish origin, with its roots traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "raeh" meaning "roe deer" and "burna" meaning "stream" or "brook". This suggests that the name likely originated from a place name referring to a stream or brook where roe deer were commonly found.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of homage rolls from the late 13th century. The rolls mention a "William de Raeburn" from Berwickshire, Scotland, who swore fealty to King Edward I of England in 1296.

The name Raeburn also appears in various Scottish charters and land records throughout the medieval period. For example, a charter from 1365 mentions a "Johannes de Raeburn" who was granted lands in Roxburghshire.

In the 16th century, the Raeburn family had a notable presence in the Scottish Borders region, particularly in the towns of Jedburgh and Hawick. The Raeburn Baronetcy was created in 1619 for Sir William Raeburn of Dalhousie, though this line eventually became extinct.

One of the most famous individuals with the surname Raeburn was Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823), a renowned Scottish portrait painter considered one of the most important figures in the history of British art. His portraits included those of Sir Walter Scott and King George IV.

Another notable Raeburn was Sir Robert Raeburn (1835-1912), a Scottish civil engineer who worked on various railway projects in India and was instrumental in the construction of the Ghazi-Abdulrahman Railway in present-day Iran.

In the literary world, Sir Walter Raeburn (1842-1925) was a Scottish author and journalist who wrote several novels, including "Britannia's Memoirs" and "The Book of Carlaverock".

The name Raeburn has also been associated with places, such as the village of Raeburn in East Lothian, Scotland, which likely took its name from the nearby Raeburn House or estate.

Throughout history, the surname Raeburn has maintained a strong presence in Scotland, particularly in the Borders region, and has been associated with notable figures in various fields, including art, engineering, and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Raeburn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Raeburn 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. Midlothian leads with 113 Raeburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.00x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 113 13.00x
Lanarkshire 102 4.86x
Banffshire 99 73.57x
East Lothian 73 84.96x
Aberdeenshire 52 8.66x
Fife 46 11.98x
Durham 28 1.45x
Ayrshire 24 4.94x
Middlesex 24 0.37x
Lancashire 16 0.21x
Renfrewshire 16 3.18x
Surrey 16 0.51x
Angus 13 2.16x
Yorkshire 8 0.12x
Berwickshire 7 8.91x
Northumberland 7 0.73x
Kincardineshire 5 6.33x
Warwickshire 3 0.18x
Inverness-shire 2 1.03x
Kent 2 0.09x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.23x
Roxburghshire 2 1.70x
Stirlingshire 2 0.84x
Hampshire 1 0.08x
Sussex 1 0.09x
West Lothian 1 1.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 36 Raeburns recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.66x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 36 9.66x
Govan 35 6.75x
Gamrie 33 219.71x
South Leith 28 28.63x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 26 7.44x
Barony 24 4.52x
Auchterderran 21 217.62x
Dunbar 19 157.68x
Kilconquhar 15 328.23x
Banff 14 119.76x
Boyndie 13 291.48x
Chapel Of Garioch 13 304.45x
Garvald 13 769.23x
Humbie 13 640.39x
Westoe 13 11.88x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 12 10.68x
Fordyce 10 103.31x
Haddington 10 78.86x
Stewarton 10 104.06x
Edinburgh St Georges 9 49.92x
Forgue 9 166.67x
Lambeth 9 1.59x
Marnoch 9 124.48x
Eastwood 8 25.84x
Paddington London 8 3.35x
Toxteth Park 8 3.07x
Aberdeen Old Machar 7 5.58x
Croydon 7 3.99x
Currie 7 131.58x
Dalkeith 7 40.84x
Keith 7 48.81x
Ormiston 7 307.02x
Alvah 6 198.02x
Beith 6 41.41x
Dundee 6 2.67x
Gateshead 6 4.15x
Islington London 6 0.95x
Tranent 6 51.68x
Warrington 6 6.58x
West Calder 6 35.03x
Blantyre 5 22.89x
Cramond 5 75.87x
Elswick 5 6.49x
Harraton 5 132.98x
Nigg 5 76.57x
Paisley Low Church 5 31.43x
Scoonie 5 60.10x
Whittinghame 5 352.11x
Edinburgh High Church 4 73.39x
Edinburgh St Marys 4 23.68x
Langton 4 357.14x
Mirfield 4 11.33x
Rothiemay 4 131.15x
South Shields 4 23.27x
Aston 3 0.67x
Doncaster 3 6.39x
Eyemouth 3 45.80x
Inveresk 3 12.75x
Kilmarnock 3 5.19x
Monkton Prestwick 3 63.42x
Monquhitter 3 48.23x
St George Hanover 3 3.54x
Westminster St John 3 3.80x
Ardwick 2 2.88x
Crichton 2 82.64x
Cupar 2 11.98x
Edinburgh New North 2 26.46x
Edinburgh Tron Church 2 49.14x
Ednam 2 145.99x
Falkirk 2 3.57x
Inverness 2 4.10x
Lasswade 2 10.07x
Mearns 2 22.70x
Mid Calder 2 53.05x
Montrose 2 5.49x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 2 3.47x
St Andrews 2 11.45x
St Vigeans 2 6.17x
Turriff 2 20.62x
Tuxford 2 93.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Margaret 5
Elizabeth 4
Emily 4
Mary 4
Agnes 3
Ann 3
Ellen 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Hannah 2
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Agness 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Flora 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Nellie 1
Phillis 1
Sarah 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
James 11
John 7
Henry 4
Charles 3
Robert 3
Andrew 2
David 2
Elijah 2
Alfred 1
Edward 1
Geo. 1
George 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Raeburn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Raeburn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 667 people were recorded with the Raeburn surname. That placed it at #5,405 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Raeburn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,339 in 2016. That gives Raeburn a modern rank of #4,502.

What does the Raeburn surname mean?

A Scottish place surname derived from a location meaning 'the stream of the roe deer'.

What does the Raeburn map show?

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