NameCensus.

UK surname

Rapley

An English toponymic name derived from a place near Winchester, Hampshire.

In the 1881 census there were 931 people recorded with the Rapley surname, ranking it #4,131 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,111, ranked #5,290, down from #4,131 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dorking, London parishes and Chobham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Waverley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rapley is 1,382 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 19.3%.

1881 census count

931

Ranked #4,131

Modern count

1,111

2016, ranked #5,290

Peak year

1911

1,382 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rapley had 931 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,131 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,111 in 2016, ranked #5,290.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,382 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rapley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rapley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rapley 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 612 #4,216
1861 historical 601 #4,411
1881 historical 931 #4,131
1891 historical 1,072 #3,921
1901 historical 1,232 #4,020
1911 historical 1,382 #3,489
1997 modern 1,204 #4,694
1998 modern 1,253 #4,707
1999 modern 1,278 #4,666
2000 modern 1,268 #4,679
2001 modern 1,241 #4,666
2002 modern 1,267 #4,689
2003 modern 1,234 #4,698
2004 modern 1,192 #4,834
2005 modern 1,161 #4,894
2006 modern 1,145 #4,950
2007 modern 1,158 #4,961
2008 modern 1,162 #4,958
2009 modern 1,207 #4,918
2010 modern 1,201 #5,041
2011 modern 1,158 #5,153
2012 modern 1,120 #5,207
2013 modern 1,141 #5,212
2014 modern 1,142 #5,229
2015 modern 1,119 #5,273
2016 modern 1,111 #5,290

Geography

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Where Rapleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dorking, London parishes, Chobham, Battersea and Windlesham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mole Valley, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Breckland. 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 Dorking Surrey
2 London parishes London 3
3 Chobham Surrey
4 Battersea London (South Districts)
5 Windlesham Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mole Valley 006 Mole Valley
2 Surrey Heath 006 Surrey Heath
3 Waverley 015 Waverley
4 Breckland 011 Breckland
5 Surrey Heath 001 Surrey Heath

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rapley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rapley

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Rapley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rapley 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Rapley is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rapley is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rapley falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rapley

The surname Rapley is of English origin, and it is believed to have originated in the county of Hampshire during the medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "rap," which means "rope," and the suffix "-ley," which refers to a meadow or clearing. Thus, the name Rapley may have initially referred to someone who lived in a meadow where ropes were made or sold.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rapley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Rapelie." This historical record suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Rapeleye" and "Rapelee," which further solidifies its connection to the Old English word "rap" and the suffix "-ley."

During the 16th century, a notable individual bearing the name Rapley was John Rapley, who was born in 1543 in the village of Ropley, Hampshire. He was a landowner and a respected member of the local community.

In the 17th century, the name Rapley was found in various parish records across Hampshire and neighboring counties. For example, William Rapley, born in 1621 in Odiham, Hampshire, was a farmer and a member of the local church congregation.

Another notable figure with the surname Rapley was Thomas Rapley, who was born in 1732 in the village of Hartley Wintney, Hampshire. He was a successful merchant and a prominent member of the local community.

In the 19th century, the Rapley name gained recognition with the birth of William Rapley, born in 1864 in Alton, Hampshire. He was a renowned architect and designed several notable buildings in the region, including the Alton Town Hall.

Throughout history, the surname Rapley has maintained a strong presence in the counties of Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey, where it is believed to have originated. While the name may have evolved in its spelling over time, its connection to the Old English roots of "rap" and "-ley" remains a central part of its etymology.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rapley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rapley 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. Surrey leads with 347 Rapleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.84x.

County Total Index
Surrey 347 7.84x
Sussex 242 15.80x
Middlesex 141 1.55x
Kent 68 2.19x
Berkshire 42 6.16x
Essex 27 1.51x
Hampshire 19 1.02x
Yorkshire 12 0.13x
Hertfordshire 10 1.60x
Cumberland 6 0.77x
Glamorgan 5 0.32x
Cheshire 4 0.20x
Norfolk 2 0.14x
Wiltshire 2 0.25x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.18x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Northamptonshire 1 0.12x
Warwickshire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chobham in Surrey leads with 76 Rapleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 973.11x.

Place Total Index
Chobham 76 973.11x
Dorking 65 218.78x
Kirdford 31 582.71x
Battersea 26 7.78x
Lambeth 20 2.53x
Ifield 16 250.39x
Balcombe 15 549.45x
Clapham 14 12.33x
Horsham 14 47.07x
Islington London 14 1.59x
Kensington London 14 2.77x
Shipley 14 403.46x
Itchingfield 12 888.89x
St Luke London 12 8.24x
Steyning 12 231.21x
Chiddingfold 11 265.70x
Clerkenwell London 11 5.13x
Cobham 11 384.62x
Petworth 11 120.22x
Thursley 11 345.91x
West Ham 11 2.78x
Betchworth 10 183.15x
Woolwich 10 8.74x
Burghfield 9 223.33x
Cuckfield 9 58.18x
Isleworth 9 22.29x
Lee 9 20.00x
Richmond 9 14.51x
St Marylebone London 9 1.86x
Washington 9 343.51x
Beddington 8 46.76x
Chatham 8 9.39x
Leatherhead 8 72.20x
St Pancras London 8 1.09x
Warfield 8 129.24x
West Grinstead 8 173.16x
Brighton 7 2.27x
Caterham 7 35.79x
Cowfold 7 216.05x
East Ham 7 21.04x
Hoo 7 170.32x
Newington 7 28.25x
Penge 7 12.07x
Shinfield 7 174.56x
Bromley London 6 3.00x
Guildford Holy Trinity 6 71.17x
Hanwell 6 37.27x
Hurstpierpoint 6 70.42x
St Botolph Aldersgate 6 57.64x
Trotton 6 476.19x
Alverstoke 5 7.42x
Baughurst 5 331.13x
Bramshott 5 108.93x
Bromley 5 10.59x
Cardiff St John 5 9.68x
Clayton 5 86.66x
Hove 5 7.44x
Mortimer 5 153.37x
Selby 5 26.58x
Shenley 5 121.07x
Streatham 5 7.42x
Tooting Graveney 5 40.62x
West Hoathly 5 103.95x
Windlesham 5 60.10x
Angmering 4 130.72x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.01x
Chiswick 4 8.06x
Cockermouth 4 24.30x
Colchester St James 4 55.02x
Horley 4 53.91x
Lewisham 4 2.42x
Macclesfield 4 4.49x
Mile End Old Town 4 2.79x
New Shoreham 4 43.57x
Shere 4 74.77x
St George In East 4 6.48x
Walton On Thames 4 19.69x
Wandsworth 4 4.58x
West Firle 4 224.72x
Wisborough Green 4 77.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 60
George 43
James 35
Henry 28
John 28
Frederick 21
Charles 18
Thomas 17
Alfred 13
Richard 13
Edward 10
Walter 10
Edwin 8
Ernest 7
Reuben 7
Robert 7
Albert 6
Frank 6
Peter 6
Stephen 6
Arthur 5
Benjamin 5
David 5
Harry 5
Jesse 5
Daniel 4
Horace 4
Abraham 3
Felix 3
Geo. 3
Herbert 3
Joseph 3
Caleb 2
Percy 2
Samuel 2
Thos. 2
W. 2
Allan 1
Allen 1
Benjiman 1
Bob 1
Boscey 1
Elisha 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Job 1
Johnathan 1
Jonathan 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Rapley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rapley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 931 people were recorded with the Rapley surname. That placed it at #4,131 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rapley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,111 in 2016. That gives Rapley a modern rank of #5,290.

What does the Rapley surname mean?

An English toponymic name derived from a place near Winchester, Hampshire.

What does the Rapley map show?

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