NameCensus.

UK surname

Rapson

A surname derived from a contracted form of the personal name "Ralph" and the suffix "-son," meaning "son of Ralph."

In the 1881 census there were 625 people recorded with the Rapson surname, ranking it #5,661 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 626, ranked #8,424, down from #5,661 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Wendron and Gluvias. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Sutherland East and St. Helens.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rapson is 797 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.2%.

1881 census count

625

Ranked #5,661

Modern count

626

2016, ranked #8,424

Peak year

1911

797 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rapson had 625 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,661 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 626 in 2016, ranked #8,424.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 797 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rapson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rapson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rapson 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 465 #5,332
1861 historical 444 #5,826
1881 historical 625 #5,661
1891 historical 666 #5,844
1901 historical 769 #5,824
1911 historical 797 #5,486
1997 modern 609 #8,057
1998 modern 641 #7,986
1999 modern 637 #8,084
2000 modern 633 #8,101
2001 modern 629 #7,985
2002 modern 642 #8,032
2003 modern 616 #8,159
2004 modern 634 #7,986
2005 modern 610 #8,176
2006 modern 606 #8,223
2007 modern 613 #8,224
2008 modern 626 #8,140
2009 modern 635 #8,221
2010 modern 645 #8,294
2011 modern 645 #8,202
2012 modern 624 #8,333
2013 modern 635 #8,356
2014 modern 645 #8,316
2015 modern 629 #8,406
2016 modern 626 #8,424

Geography

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Where Rapsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Wendron, Gluvias, Lodsworth, Selham and Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Sutherland East, St. Helens, West Devon and Plymouth. 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 3
2 Wendron Cornwall
3 Gluvias Cornwall
4 Lodsworth, Selham Sussex
5 Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 061 Cornwall
2 Sutherland East Highland
3 St. Helens 015 St. Helens
4 West Devon 004 West Devon
5 Plymouth 006 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rapson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rapson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rapson, 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 Rapson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rapson 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Rapson is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rapson is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rapson falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rapson

The surname Rapson is believed to have originated in England, likely in the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational name derived from the place name Rapson, which was a small village in Staffordshire. The name itself is derived from the Old English words "hrap" meaning rope and "tun" meaning village, suggesting it may have been a settlement associated with rope making.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rapson can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1195, where a Richard de Rapson is mentioned. This suggests the name was already well-established by the late 12th century. The name also appears in various other medieval records, such as the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John de Rapson is listed as a landowner in Staffordshire.

In the 16th century, the spelling of the name began to evolve, with variations such as Rapeson and Rapiston appearing in parish records. One notable individual from this period was William Rapson, who was born in Staffordshire in 1540 and later became a successful merchant in London.

The Rapson name spread beyond its Staffordshire origins in the 17th and 18th centuries, with families bearing the name found in various parts of England. One notable figure was John Rapson (1668-1737), a clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Taunton, Somerset.

During the 19th century, the name continued to be found across England, with several notable individuals bearing the surname. These included Edward Rapson (1818-1892), a farmer and landowner in Gloucestershire, and Richard Rapson (1835-1914), a successful businessman and philanthropist in Liverpool.

Another prominent individual with the Rapson name was Edward James Rapson (1861-1937), an Indologist and numismatist who served as the Director of the British Museum's Department of Coins and Medals. He made significant contributions to the study of ancient Indian coinage and inscriptions.

As the Rapson name spread beyond England in more modern times, it can be found in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, the earliest recorded examples and historical references to the name remain rooted in its English origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rapson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rapson 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. Cornwall leads with 183 Rapsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.51x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 183 26.51x
Devon 83 6.54x
Middlesex 72 1.18x
Sussex 67 6.52x
Surrey 57 1.92x
Somerset 43 4.38x
Yorkshire 34 0.56x
Hampshire 23 1.84x
Lancashire 15 0.21x
Kent 14 0.67x
Dorset 10 2.50x
Northumberland 6 0.66x
Cumberland 5 0.95x
Flintshire 3 1.83x
Warwickshire 3 0.20x
Berkshire 2 0.44x
Durham 2 0.11x
Gloucestershire 2 0.17x
Lincolnshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Gluvias Penryn in Cornwall leads with 34 Rapsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 614.83x.

Place Total Index
St Gluvias Penryn 34 614.83x
Wendron 23 240.08x
Islington London 19 3.22x
St Gluvias 19 492.23x
Lodsworth 16 1126.76x
Stoke Climsland 15 340.14x
Liskeard 14 121.21x
Plymouth St Andrew 14 14.32x
Plymstock 14 210.84x
Tavistock 14 96.82x
Lambeth 13 2.45x
Ealing 11 20.19x
Godalming 11 58.82x
Mylor 11 238.10x
Stoke Damerel 11 12.38x
Gwinear 10 305.81x
Eastbourne 9 19.03x
Monk Bretton 9 147.06x
Somerton 9 224.44x
St Clement 9 125.00x
Subdeanery 9 115.38x
Barnsley 8 12.84x
Crewkerne 8 76.78x
Durweston 8 1025.64x
East Looe 8 285.71x
Holy Trinity 8 5.51x
Lamerton 8 331.95x
Lurgashall 8 522.88x
Northam 8 86.49x
Crowan 7 127.97x
Farnham 7 30.30x
Ilchester 7 489.51x
Kensington London 7 2.07x
Southampton St Mary 7 8.91x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 5.71x
Axminster 6 100.84x
Bow London 6 7.73x
Brighton 6 2.89x
Elswick 6 8.29x
Newlyn 6 203.39x
Parr 6 23.18x
West Pennard 6 379.75x
Bromley London 5 3.73x
Duncton 5 892.86x
Frensham 5 114.68x
Gwennap 5 38.40x
Hambledon 5 118.48x
Hulme 5 3.31x
Kenwyn 5 27.70x
Margate St John Baptist 5 13.13x
Ringwood 5 62.58x
St George In East 5 12.06x
Whitehaven 5 17.87x
Yeovilton 5 1000.00x
York St Mary 5 19.98x
Mile End Old Town 4 4.16x
St Columb Minor 4 68.97x
Acton 3 8.39x
Burnley 3 4.92x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.08x
Devonport 3 20.58x
East Pennard 3 236.22x
Helston 3 41.84x
Isleworth 3 11.07x
Leamington Priors 3 7.93x
Lindfield 3 69.12x
Mawgan In Meneage 3 166.67x
Mold 3 20.19x
Northwood 3 16.86x
Petworth 3 48.86x
Stoke 3 58.37x
Wandsworth 3 5.11x
Bathhampton 2 232.56x
Buckfastleigh 2 34.13x
Croydon 2 1.21x
Gloucester St John Baptist 2 25.91x
Halifax 2 2.26x
High Ham 2 85.47x
New Romney 2 93.46x
Newbury 2 13.64x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 41
Elizabeth 38
Jane 22
Sarah 17
Eliza 13
Emily 12
Annie 10
Florence 8
Emma 7
Ann 6
Ellen 6
Harriet 6
Alice 5
Charlotte 5
Ethel 5
Louisa 5
Maria 5
Amelia 4
Bessie 4
Caroline 4
Edith 4
Kate 4
Eleanor 3
Frances 3
Hannah 3
Lydia 3
Beatrice 2
Catherine 2
Isabella 2
Josephine 2
Katie 2
Laura 2
Lilly 2
Margaret 2
Martha 2
Sophia 2
Thomasine 2
Amy 1
Aney 1
Augusta 1
Bertha 1
Clara 1
Daisy 1
Elisa 1
Elisabeth 1
Elizh. 1
Harett 1
Harriette 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 39
John 37
George 21
Thomas 21
James 16
Edward 15
Richard 13
Charles 11
Joseph 9
Robert 9
Alfred 8
Henry 8
Walter 8
Frederick 7
Samuel 7
Herbert 6
Benjamin 5
Edwin 4
Arthur 3
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Isaac 3
Matthew 3
Albert 2
Anthony 2
Louis 2
Percy 2
Philip 2
Rufus 2
Bertie 1
Clarence 1
Emanuel 1
Emmanual 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.C. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.Hy. 1
Horace 1
Josiah 1
Leonard 1
Mark 1
Martin 1
Norman 1
Percival 1
Reginald 1
Richd.S. 1
Robt. 1
Sam 1

FAQ

Rapson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rapson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 625 people were recorded with the Rapson surname. That placed it at #5,661 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rapson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 626 in 2016. That gives Rapson a modern rank of #8,424.

What does the Rapson surname mean?

A surname derived from a contracted form of the personal name "Ralph" and the suffix "-son," meaning "son of Ralph."

What does the Rapson map show?

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