NameCensus.

UK surname

Rainsford

From a place called Rainsford, a surname referring to a tenant from land located by a rain-filled ford.

In the 1881 census there were 164 people recorded with the Rainsford surname, ranking it #14,624 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 467, ranked #10,522, up from #14,624 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Duffield, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sandwell, North Warwickshire and Westminster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rainsford is 491 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 184.8%.

1881 census count

164

Ranked #14,624

Modern count

467

2016, ranked #10,522

Peak year

2009

491 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rainsford had 164 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,624 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 467 in 2016, ranked #10,522.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 269 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Rainsford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rainsford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rainsford 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 100 #17,164
1861 historical 87 #22,681
1881 historical 164 #14,624
1891 historical 196 #15,163
1901 historical 228 #13,929
1911 historical 269 #12,300
1997 modern 457 #9,957
1998 modern 474 #10,004
1999 modern 472 #10,083
2000 modern 481 #9,916
2001 modern 453 #10,182
2002 modern 473 #10,043
2003 modern 467 #9,964
2004 modern 460 #10,120
2005 modern 455 #10,126
2006 modern 458 #10,109
2007 modern 451 #10,318
2008 modern 471 #10,091
2009 modern 491 #9,999
2010 modern 483 #10,301
2011 modern 485 #10,180
2012 modern 473 #10,279
2013 modern 469 #10,492
2014 modern 471 #10,541
2015 modern 458 #10,678
2016 modern 467 #10,522

Geography

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Where Rainsfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Duffield, London parishes, St Pancras, Gamlingay and Potton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sandwell, North Warwickshire, Westminster, Coventry and Mid Sussex. 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 Duffield Derbyshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Gamlingay Cambridgeshire
5 Potton Bedfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sandwell 032 Sandwell
2 North Warwickshire 004 North Warwickshire
3 Westminster 009 Westminster
4 Coventry 007 Coventry
5 Mid Sussex 009 Mid Sussex

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rainsford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rainsford

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Rainsford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Rainsford household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rainsford is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Rainsford 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

Rainsford falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rainsford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Rainsford

The surname Rainsford has its origins in England, with roots that can be traced back to the early medieval period, specifically the 11th century. The name is believed to have derived from an Old English place name, "Renesford," which translates to "the ford across the river Rennet" or "Rene's ford."

This place name is thought to have referred to a location in the county of Wiltshire, where the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found. One of the earliest documented references to the name appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

During the 13th century, the surname Rainsford began to appear in various historical records, often spelled slightly differently, such as "Raynesford" or "Reynsford." This variation in spelling was common during this period due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions.

One notable individual with the surname Rainsford was Sir John Rainsford (c. 1370-1428), a prominent English landowner and military commander who served under King Henry V during the latter stages of the Hundred Years' War. He is believed to have participated in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Another historical figure of note was Sir Henry Rainsford (c. 1505-1573), an English politician and courtier who served as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire and held various positions under the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the Rainsford family established themselves as landowners and gentry in County Wexford, Ireland. William Rainsford (1587-1677), an English-born soldier and landowner, was granted estates in Ireland after serving in the army of Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War.

Another prominent individual with the surname was Sir Marcus Rainsford (1664-1744), an Irish-born military officer who served in the British Army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General. He played a significant role in various military campaigns during the War of the Spanish Succession.

The surname Rainsford has also been associated with notable figures in the arts and literature. One such individual was Cadwallader Rainsford (1740-1846), an Irish-born author and playwright who wrote several works, including the play "The Wife of Two Husbands."

Throughout its history, the surname Rainsford has maintained a strong presence in England and Ireland, with various branches of the family continuing to hold significant roles in various fields, including military service, politics, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rainsford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rainsford 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. Warwickshire leads with 38 Rainsfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.42x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 38 9.42x
Derbyshire 20 7.99x
Cambridgeshire 17 16.78x
Middlesex 13 0.81x
Hertfordshire 10 9.07x
Bedfordshire 9 10.87x
Sussex 9 3.34x
Lancashire 8 0.42x
Staffordshire 7 1.30x
Worcestershire 7 3.35x
Devon 6 1.80x
Hampshire 4 1.22x
Surrey 4 0.51x
Cheshire 2 0.57x
Leicestershire 2 1.13x
Norfolk 2 0.81x
Shropshire 2 1.45x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.03x
Essex 1 0.32x
Gloucestershire 1 0.32x
Northumberland 1 0.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Duffield in Derbyshire leads with 18 Rainsfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 913.71x.

Place Total Index
Duffield 18 913.71x
Aston 17 15.30x
Birmingham 13 9.67x
Gamlingay 13 1226.42x
Brighton 9 16.54x
Potton 9 818.18x
Edgbaston 8 63.95x
Kidderminster Borough 7 57.24x
Smallthorne 7 350.00x
St Pancras London 7 5.44x
Tormoham 6 42.58x
Gorton 5 28.03x
Hitchin 5 100.40x
Croxton 4 2500.00x
East Barnet 4 182.65x
Blendworth 2 1250.00x
Hackney London 2 2.23x
Holt 2 238.10x
Hurstbourne Tarrant 2 434.78x
Leicester All Sts 2 57.47x
Mobberley 2 246.91x
St Giles In Fields 2 36.23x
Albrighton 1 149.25x
Buckingham 1 50.76x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 1 79.37x
Clifton 1 6.31x
Derby St Alkmund 1 13.32x
Enfield 1 9.52x
Great Bolton 1 3.98x
Matlock 1 29.76x
North Meols 1 5.38x
Putney 1 13.72x
Shrewsbury St Mary 1 18.35x
South Weald 1 37.04x
St Marylebone London 1 1.17x
Stoke 1 27.17x
Sutton 1 17.73x
Tynemouth 1 7.84x
Watford 1 11.70x
Woking 1 21.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 11
Elizabeth 10
Sarah 7
Ellen 6
Emma 5
Ann 4
Alice 3
Annie 3
Laura 3
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Grace 2
Jane 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Amy 1
Catharine 1
Charlotte 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Fanny 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Henriettoo 1
Louisa 1
Maria 1
Meta 1
Mira 1
Nellie 1
Rose 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
Thomas 8
William 7
James 6
Samuel 6
George 5
Joseph 5
Francis 3
Frank 3
Harry 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Edgar 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Henry 2
Abraham 1
Allen 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Infant 1
Jabez 1
Marcus 1
Thos. 1
Thos.J. 1
Walter 1
Will. 1

FAQ

Rainsford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rainsford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 164 people were recorded with the Rainsford surname. That placed it at #14,624 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rainsford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 467 in 2016. That gives Rainsford a modern rank of #10,522.

What does the Rainsford surname mean?

From a place called Rainsford, a surname referring to a tenant from land located by a rain-filled ford.

What does the Rainsford map show?

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