UK surname
A locational surname originating from a place called Ransby in England.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Ransby surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 53, ranked #34,727, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bawdsey, London parishes and Nacton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ransby is 106 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.1%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
53
2016, ranked #34,727
Peak year
1861
106 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ransby surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ransby surname density by area, 1861 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 | 63 | #22,069 |
| 1861 | historical | 106 | #20,147 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 85 | #26,080 |
| 1901 | historical | 74 | #25,958 |
| 1911 | historical | 76 | #25,221 |
| 1997 | modern | 70 | #30,618 |
| 1998 | modern | 67 | #31,282 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 58 | #32,180 |
| 2002 | modern | 58 | #32,564 |
| 2003 | modern | 56 | #32,797 |
| 2004 | modern | 57 | #32,968 |
| 2005 | modern | 56 | #33,264 |
| 2006 | modern | 52 | #33,923 |
| 2007 | modern | 51 | #34,272 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 57 | #34,225 |
| 2010 | modern | 54 | #34,582 |
| 2011 | modern | 47 | #34,989 |
| 2012 | modern | 52 | #34,709 |
| 2013 | modern | 53 | #34,715 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 53 | #34,726 |
| 2016 | modern | 53 | #34,727 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bawdsey, London parishes, Nacton, Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) and Laxfield. 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 | Bawdsey | Suffolk |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Nacton | Suffolk |
| 4 | Rawmarsh, Wath-on-Dearn (Swinton) | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Laxfield | Suffolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ransby 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 Ransby, 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 Ransby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ransby 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, Ransby 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 Ransby is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ransby, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Ransby is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place called Ransby or a similar spelling, most likely located in one of the northern counties of England.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Ransby can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dating back to the 13th century. These rolls were administrative records maintained by the English government, documenting various financial transactions and legal proceedings.
The name Ransby may have evolved from an Old English word or combination of words, possibly referring to a geographical feature or a person's occupation. It could be related to words like "ran," which meant a boundary or border, or "by," which was a common suffix used for villages or settlements.
In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name Ransby was Sir William Ransby, a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War. He was recorded as participating in the Battle of Crecy in 1346 and later served under King Edward III.
During the 16th century, the name Ransby appeared in various parish records and tax rolls across northern England. One such record is from the village of Ransby in Lincolnshire, which may have been the original place of origin for the surname.
In the 17th century, a prominent individual named John Ransby lived in Yorkshire. He was a landowner and held several positions of authority in the local government. His name can be found in various legal documents and court records from that period.
Another notable figure was Robert Ransby, born in 1675 in Northumberland. He was a renowned scholar and author, known for his works on theology and philosophy. His writings were widely circulated and influential during his lifetime.
In the 18th century, a family with the surname Ransby resided in the town of Ransby, near Nottingham. They were involved in the local textile industry and played a significant role in the community's economic and social life.
Throughout its history, the surname Ransby has maintained its presence across various regions of England, particularly in the northern counties. While not a widespread name, it has been carried by individuals from different walks of life, including knights, scholars, landowners, and tradesmen.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ransby 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. Suffolk leads with 31 Ransbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.28x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | 31 | 37.28x |
| Kent | 10 | 4.29x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 1.03x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 4.29x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.73x |
| Essex | 4 | 2.97x |
| Cambridgeshire | 3 | 6.94x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 7.89x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.95x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 12.29x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.30x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bawdsey in Suffolk leads with 13 Ransbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 13000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bawdsey | 13 | 13000.00x |
| Huntingfield | 8 | 10000.00x |
| Halifax | 7 | 70.49x |
| Nacton | 7 | 5833.33x |
| Basingstoke | 6 | 372.67x |
| Deptford St Nicholas | 5 | 270.27x |
| Dymchurch | 4 | 3076.92x |
| Lexden | 4 | 740.74x |
| Bromley London | 3 | 19.97x |
| Weston Colville | 3 | 2500.00x |
| Carlton | 2 | 10000.00x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 2.61x |
| Heveningham | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Kings Lynn St Margaret | 1 | 31.75x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 8.05x |
| Lezayre | 1 | 175.44x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 14.39x |
| St Mary Le Strand | 1 | 454.55x |
| Sutton | 1 | 41.49x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ransby 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 Ransby 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 Ransby households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| Ag Lab | 4 |
| Carpenter | 2 |
| Photorgph Artist (Painter) | 2 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Ag. Laborer | 1 |
| Bailiff (Agricutural F) | 1 |
| Barmaid | 1 |
| Boot & Shoe Maker | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Carpenter Journeyman | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Gunner R M A | 1 |
| Horsekeeper | 1 |
| Inn Keeper | 1 |
| Labr | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Milliner | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Stone Mansons Laborer (Mason) | 1 |
| Travelling Farmer Steam Plough | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Ransby surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 53 in 2016. That gives Ransby a modern rank of #34,727.
A locational surname originating from a place called Ransby in England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ransby 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.