NameCensus.

UK surname

Rafter

A surname derived from the occupation of a rafter, one who constructs roofs.

In the 1881 census there were 194 people recorded with the Rafter surname, ranking it #13,097 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 444, ranked #10,905, up from #13,097 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, Manchester and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wakefield, Doncaster and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rafter is 444 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 128.9%.

1881 census count

194

Ranked #13,097

Modern count

444

2016, ranked #10,905

Peak year

2016

444 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rafter had 194 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,097 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 444 in 2016, ranked #10,905.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 202 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Rafter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rafter surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rafter 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 66 #21,617
1861 historical 121 #18,148
1881 historical 194 #13,097
1891 historical 175 #16,467
1901 historical 196 #15,329
1911 historical 202 #14,871
1997 modern 412 #10,759
1998 modern 429 #10,795
1999 modern 423 #10,982
2000 modern 425 #10,898
2001 modern 416 #10,898
2002 modern 434 #10,751
2003 modern 425 #10,765
2004 modern 434 #10,619
2005 modern 416 #10,855
2006 modern 406 #11,108
2007 modern 409 #11,182
2008 modern 414 #11,160
2009 modern 421 #11,246
2010 modern 433 #11,242
2011 modern 420 #11,402
2012 modern 405 #11,627
2013 modern 427 #11,325
2014 modern 440 #11,107
2015 modern 437 #11,077
2016 modern 444 #10,905

Geography

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Where Rafters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Toxteth Park, Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wakefield, Doncaster, Brent and Wychavon. 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 Toxteth Park Lancashire
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wakefield 032 Wakefield
2 Doncaster 019 Doncaster
3 Wakefield 016 Wakefield
4 Brent 014 Brent
5 Wychavon 016 Wychavon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rafter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rafter

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Rafter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Rafter 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Rafter is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rafter is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rafter falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rafter is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Rafter

The surname Rafter is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "ræftr," which referred to the horizontal beams used in the construction of a roof. The name likely originated as an occupational surname, given to skilled carpenters or builders specializing in the making and installation of rafters.

During the medieval period, the surname Rafter was most prevalent in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, where many skilled craftsmen and builders were employed in the construction of churches, castles, and other significant structures. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 13th century, with a reference to a Thomas le Raftere in the Lancashire Pipe Rolls of 1246.

One notable historical figure bearing the name Rafter was Sir John Rafter, a prominent architect and master builder in the late 15th century. He is credited with the design and construction of several notable buildings, including the iconic Southwark Cathedral in London, which was completed in 1489.

In the 16th century, the name Rafter appeared in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1523, which listed several individuals with the surname, such as Robert Rafter of Doncaster and William Rafter of York.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Rafter (1602-1669), a successful merchant and landowner from Lancashire. He played a significant role in the development of the town of Lytham during the 17th century and was a prominent supporter of the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.

The surname Rafter also has connections to place names in England, such as Rafter's Green in Hertfordshire and Rafter's Moor in Yorkshire. These place names likely derived from individuals with the surname who lived or owned land in those areas.

Other notable individuals with the surname Rafter include John Rafter (1755-1832), a respected shipbuilder from Whitby, Yorkshire, and George Rafter (1819-1892), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London during the Victorian era.

Rafter continues to be a relatively uncommon surname, particularly in the United States and other parts of the world, but it retains its historical connections to the skilled craftsmanship of carpentry and construction in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rafter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rafter 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. Yorkshire leads with 55 Rafters recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.93x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 55 2.93x
Lancashire 51 2.27x
Durham 19 3.38x
Middlesex 12 0.63x
Devon 7 1.78x
Kent 7 1.08x
Lanarkshire 7 1.14x
Warwickshire 7 1.47x
Cheshire 6 1.44x
Surrey 6 0.65x
Gloucestershire 5 1.35x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.96x
Northumberland 3 1.07x
Hampshire 2 0.52x
Anglesey 1 2.98x
Glamorgan 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horton In Bradford in Yorkshire leads with 12 Rafters recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.98x.

Place Total Index
Horton In Bradford 12 40.98x
Everton 10 13.97x
York St Denis In 8 975.61x
Burtonwood 7 853.66x
Sampford Spiney 7 2592.59x
Aston 6 4.57x
Birkenhead 6 18.02x
Newington 6 8.58x
Norton Folgate London 6 967.74x
Pontefract 6 148.51x
Bishopwearmouth 5 10.35x
Hetton Le Hole 5 70.13x
Lee 5 53.36x
Nottingham St Mary 5 7.58x
Salford 5 7.57x
Stranton 5 26.39x
Stutton Cum Hazelwood 5 2272.73x
Toxteth Park 5 6.58x
Westminster St James 5 25.71x
Barony 4 2.58x
Blackburn 4 6.70x
Bowling 4 21.54x
Doncaster 4 29.20x
Liverpool 4 2.93x
Bristol Temple 3 122.95x
Ecclesfield 3 21.82x
Great Bolton 3 10.09x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 3 17.85x
Pendleton In Salford 3 11.22x
Coundon Grange 2 161.29x
Glasgow 2 1.84x
Gloucester St Nicholas 2 116.28x
Gorton 2 9.47x
Keighley 2 10.01x
Sedgefield 2 99.50x
Selby 2 51.02x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 1 5.72x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 5.92x
Cheetham 1 5.97x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.80x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 2.62x
Farnborough 1 24.57x
Fulham London 1 3.64x
Govan 1 0.66x
Heap 1 8.40x
Holyhead 1 16.00x
Horwich 1 40.82x
Hound 1 38.02x
Hulme 1 2.13x
Huntwick Cum Nostell 1 270.27x
Kirkdale 1 2.65x
Leamington 1 31.65x
Llantwit Vairdre 1 27.03x
Manchester 1 0.99x
Micklefield 1 222.22x
Plumstead 1 4.65x
Saxton Cum 1 434.78x
Sheffield 1 1.68x
Wadsworth 1 32.79x
Wakefield 1 6.95x
Woolwich 1 4.19x
York St Maurice 1 28.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Catherine 8
Elizabeth 7
Margaret 5
Ellen 4
Maria 4
Sarah 4
Alice 3
Ann 3
Annie 3
Emily 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Jane 2
Martha 2
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Cathre. 1
Clara 1
Emma 1
Halkett 1
Isabel 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
M. 1
Maggie 1
Margt. 1
Margt.M. 1
Silvia 1
Susannah 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
Thomas 12
James 8
Patrick 6
William 6
Daniel 4
Henry 4
Michael 4
Francis 3
Joseph 3
Alfred 2
Charles 2
Chs. 2
Edward 2
Martin 2
Richard 2
Timothy 2
Adolphus 1
Barny 1
Claude 1
Colin 1
Denis 1
Dominick 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Evan 1
George 1
Jame 1
Lucius 1
Mathew 1
Michal 1
Micheal 1
P.Alexandria 1
Patsey 1
Peter 1
Sylvester 1

FAQ

Rafter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rafter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 194 people were recorded with the Rafter surname. That placed it at #13,097 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rafter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 444 in 2016. That gives Rafter a modern rank of #10,905.

What does the Rafter surname mean?

A surname derived from the occupation of a rafter, one who constructs roofs.

What does the Rafter map show?

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