NameCensus.

UK surname

Randolph

A patronymic surname derived from the given name Randolf, meaning "shield-wolf" or "rim-wolf" in Old Norse.

In the 1881 census there were 200 people recorded with the Randolph surname, ranking it #12,836 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 266, ranked #16,094, down from #12,836 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Ringmore and Dunnington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Oxfordshire, Stratford-on-Avon and Three Rivers.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Randolph is 266 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.0%.

1881 census count

200

Ranked #12,836

Modern count

266

2016, ranked #16,094

Peak year

2016

266 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Randolph had 200 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,836 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 266 in 2016, ranked #16,094.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 239 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Randolph surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Randolph surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Randolph 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 134 #14,033
1861 historical 157 #14,732
1881 historical 200 #12,836
1891 historical 229 #13,539
1901 historical 228 #13,929
1911 historical 239 #13,321
1997 modern 224 #16,392
1998 modern 224 #16,888
1999 modern 235 #16,458
2000 modern 236 #16,380
2001 modern 234 #16,205
2002 modern 246 #15,988
2003 modern 222 #16,942
2004 modern 230 #16,643
2005 modern 231 #16,529
2006 modern 250 #15,749
2007 modern 247 #16,042
2008 modern 240 #16,535
2009 modern 243 #16,742
2010 modern 259 #16,386
2011 modern 257 #16,335
2012 modern 261 #16,041
2013 modern 253 #16,642
2014 modern 265 #16,247
2015 modern 264 #16,186
2016 modern 266 #16,094

Geography

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Where Randolphs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Ringmore, Dunnington, St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Oxfordshire, Stratford-on-Avon, Three Rivers, South Somerset and Muirhouse. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Ringmore Devon
3 Dunnington Yorkshire, East Riding
4 St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace London (West Districts)
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Oxfordshire 008 South Oxfordshire
2 Stratford-on-Avon 001 Stratford-on-Avon
3 Three Rivers 010 Three Rivers
4 South Somerset 005 South Somerset
5 Muirhouse City of Edinburgh

Forenames

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First names often paired with Randolph

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Randolph

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Randolph surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Randolph household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Randolph 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

Randolph 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

Randolph falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Randolph 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 Randolph, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Randolph

The surname Randolph originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. It is derived from the Old English words "rand" meaning rim or border, and "hyll" meaning hill or ridge, together translating to "border ridge". The name likely referred to someone who lived near a ridge or boundary line.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Randulphus". This reference suggests the name was already in use by the late 11th century in England. Other early spellings include Randolf, Randulfe, and Randolff.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Randolph de Gernon, a Norman knight who accompanied William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. He became the Earl of Chester and was granted lands in Cheshire.

Another notable figure was Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray (1278-1332), a Scottish nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England. He was a close companion and nephew of Robert the Bruce.

In the 15th century, Sir John Randolph (c.1430-1492) was a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament for Kent. He served as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports under King Edward IV.

During the American Revolutionary War, Edmund Randolph (1753-1813) was an influential statesman and the seventh Governor of Virginia. He also served as the first United States Attorney General under President George Washington.

John Randolph of Roanoke (1773-1833) was a prominent American planter, politician, and diplomat from Virginia. He served in the United States House of Representatives and was known for his oratory skills and fiery speeches.

The surname Randolph has been associated with several place names in England, including Randolph in Norfolk, Randolph Priory in Somerset, and Randolf's Green in Essex. These locations likely derived their names from early settlers or landowners bearing the Randolph surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Randolph families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Randolph 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. Middlesex leads with 58 Randolphs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.97x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 58 2.97x
Devon 21 5.17x
Surrey 19 2.00x
Kent 17 2.55x
Somerset 14 4.46x
Hampshire 12 3.00x
Wiltshire 10 5.80x
Yorkshire 9 0.47x
Monmouthshire 8 5.67x
Lancashire 6 0.26x
Glamorgan 4 1.18x
Sussex 4 1.22x
Berkshire 3 2.05x
Essex 3 0.78x
Hertfordshire 3 2.23x
Buckinghamshire 2 1.70x
Gloucestershire 2 0.52x
Oxfordshire 2 1.66x
Worcestershire 2 0.79x
Cornwall 1 0.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 18 Randolphs recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.52x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 18 9.52x
Ringmore 11 6470.59x
Kimpton 9 4736.84x
St George Hanover 9 35.35x
West Ashton 8 4000.00x
Chartham 7 421.69x
Dunnington In York 7 1400.00x
Milverton 7 603.45x
St Clement Danes 6 189.87x
Caldicot 5 531.91x
Paddington London 5 6.97x
Walcot 5 29.89x
Battersea 4 5.57x
Bishops Tawton 4 314.96x
Hove 4 27.72x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 12.25x
Newington 4 5.55x
Sanderstead 4 1538.46x
St George Martyr 4 121.58x
Furneux Pelham 3 789.47x
Hackney London 3 2.74x
Hammersmith London 3 6.24x
Kensington London 3 2.77x
Lambeth 3 1.76x
Monmouth 3 80.21x
Ryde 3 34.92x
Stoke Damerel 3 10.56x
Tenterden 3 127.66x
Barrow In Furness 2 6.35x
Burford 2 190.48x
Great Malvern 2 37.59x
Hurley 2 263.16x
St George Bloomsbury 2 17.87x
St Marylebone London 2 1.92x
St Pancras London 2 1.27x
Tormoham 2 11.64x
West Ham 2 2.35x
Wrotham 2 90.50x
Bradfield 1 128.21x
Bradford On Avon 1 18.12x
Chelsea London 1 1.70x
Clifton 1 5.17x
Cobham 1 64.10x
Croydon 1 1.90x
East Peckham 1 72.46x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 2.54x
Elton 1 12.50x
Eton 1 37.45x
Filey 1 64.10x
Godalming 1 16.72x
Great Chesterford 1 163.93x
Hulme 1 2.07x
Kilkhampton 1 153.85x
Leckhampstead 1 434.78x
Lewisham 1 2.82x
Lidford 1 54.95x
Liverpool 1 0.71x
Preshute 1 94.34x
Prestbury 1 105.26x
Seal 1 93.46x
Tonbridge 1 4.16x
Walton In Gordano 1 303.03x
West Derby 1 1.48x
Wilton 1 121.95x
Wimbledon 1 9.37x
Woolwich 1 4.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 9
William 8
James 6
Richard 6
Charles 5
Edward 5
Francis 5
George 3
Henry 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Bernard 2
Edmund 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Thomas 2
Agustus 1
Algernon 1
Benjamin 1
Beverley 1
Cyre 1
Douglas 1
Ernest 1
Felton 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Granville 1
Harold 1
Joseph 1
Percy 1
Rodney 1
Theadore 1
Wilfred 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Randolph surname: questions and answers

How common was the Randolph surname in 1881?

In 1881, 200 people were recorded with the Randolph surname. That placed it at #12,836 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Randolph surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 266 in 2016. That gives Randolph a modern rank of #16,094.

What does the Randolph surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from the given name Randolf, meaning "shield-wolf" or "rim-wolf" in Old Norse.

What does the Randolph map show?

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