UK surname
An anglicized variant of a Continental European surname derived from a topographic element or locational name, referring to a place near a rough or rugged terrain.
In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Rage surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 89, ranked #32,297, down from #31,301 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, St Werburgh and Market Bosworth (Market Bosworth), Shackerstone, Congerston, Nailstone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rage is 146 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 456.3%.
1881 census count
16
Ranked #31,301
Modern count
89
2016, ranked #32,297
Peak year
1891
146 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rage surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rage surname density by area, 1891 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 | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 81 | #23,431 |
| 1881 | historical | 16 | #31,301 |
| 1891 | historical | 146 | #18,664 |
| 1901 | historical | 18 | #32,032 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 9 | #37,189 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 21 | #35,798 |
| 2003 | modern | 27 | #35,279 |
| 2004 | modern | 34 | #34,868 |
| 2005 | modern | 39 | #34,652 |
| 2006 | modern | 51 | #33,992 |
| 2007 | modern | 47 | #34,558 |
| 2008 | modern | 58 | #33,918 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 75 | #33,081 |
| 2011 | modern | 74 | #33,151 |
| 2012 | modern | 77 | #33,124 |
| 2013 | modern | 82 | #32,903 |
| 2014 | modern | 83 | #32,910 |
| 2015 | modern | 85 | #32,693 |
| 2016 | modern | 89 | #32,297 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, St Werburgh, Market Bosworth (Market Bosworth), Shackerstone, Congerston, Nailstone, Upper and Lower Gravenhurst and Ilkeston. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | St Werburgh | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Market Bosworth (Market Bosworth), Shackerstone, Congerston, Nailstone | Leicestershire |
| 4 | Upper and Lower Gravenhurst | Bedfordshire |
| 5 | Ilkeston | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rage 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 Rage, 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 Rage surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rage 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, Rage 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 Rage is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rage, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname RAGE is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word 'rægan', which means 'to rage' or 'to be furious'. This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname given to someone with a fiery temperament or a tendency towards anger or passion.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name RAGE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a person named Radulfus Rage is listed as a landowner in the county of Lincolnshire. This indicates that the name was already in use by the late 11th century in eastern England.
During the 13th century, the name appears in various medieval records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire, where a William Rage is mentioned in 1230. Additionally, the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279 include a reference to a Richard Rage residing in the village of Cuxham.
In the 14th century, the spelling of the name began to evolve, with variants like 'Ragghe' and 'Ragge' appearing in documents from various parts of England. One notable individual from this era was John Ragge, a wealthy merchant from Coventry who was born around 1310 and became a prominent figure in the city's wool trade.
The 16th century saw the emergence of several notable RAGE individuals, including Sir William Rage (1490-1568), a courtier and diplomat who served under King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Thomas Rage (1525-1592), a clergyman and author who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1583 until his death.
In the 17th century, the RAGE surname continued to be well-represented, with individuals like Samuel Rage (1610-1679), a renowned botanist and physician who made significant contributions to the study of medicinal plants. Another notable figure was Elizabeth Rage (1635-1712), a pioneering writer and feminist who advocated for women's rights and education.
The 18th century saw the birth of several influential RAGE individuals, such as John Rage (1717-1792), a prominent lawyer and politician who served as a member of the British Parliament. Additionally, there was George Rage (1742-1819), a renowned architect who designed many notable buildings across England, including the iconic Rage House in London.
Throughout the 19th century, the RAGE surname continued to be associated with various accomplished individuals, such as the poet and novelist Emily Rage (1818-1848), whose works were celebrated for their emotional depth and vivid imagery. Another notable figure was Sir Robert Rage (1835-1910), a successful businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to various charitable organizations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rage 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. Middlesex leads with 8 Rages recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.86x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 8 | 5.86x |
| Surrey | 5 | 7.52x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 2.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hornsey in Middlesex leads with 6 Rages recorded in 1881 and an index of 346.82x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hornsey | 6 | 346.82x |
| Penge | 4 | 459.77x |
| Islington London | 2 | 15.13x |
| Aston | 1 | 10.56x |
| Kingston On Thames | 1 | 62.50x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rage 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 Rage 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 Rage households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Teacher | 5 |
| Beer Retailer Shop | 1 |
| Cellerman Wine Trade (...) | 1 |
| Dom Ser Employed At House | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Nurse (Domestic) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Rage surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 89 in 2016. That gives Rage a modern rank of #32,297.
An anglicized variant of a Continental European surname derived from a topographic element or locational name, referring to a place near a rough or rugged terrain.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rage 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.