UK surname
A variant spelling of the surname Racy, originating as a nickname for someone considered impulsive or racy.
In the 1881 census there were 87 people recorded with the Rasey surname, ranking it #21,334 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 49, ranked #34,957, down from #21,334 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Willesden, London parishes and Paddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rasey is 109 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 43.7%.
1881 census count
87
Ranked #21,334
Modern count
49
2016, ranked #34,957
Peak year
1891
109 bearers
Map years
3
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rasey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rasey surname density by area, 1911 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 | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 65 | #25,618 |
| 1881 | historical | 87 | #21,334 |
| 1891 | historical | 109 | #22,701 |
| 1901 | historical | 109 | #21,712 |
| 1911 | historical | 103 | #22,328 |
| 1997 | modern | 64 | #31,233 |
| 1998 | modern | 66 | #31,387 |
| 1999 | modern | 61 | #31,971 |
| 2000 | modern | 69 | #31,273 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 62 | #32,214 |
| 2003 | modern | 54 | #32,990 |
| 2004 | modern | 53 | #33,336 |
| 2005 | modern | 52 | #33,619 |
| 2006 | modern | 53 | #33,854 |
| 2007 | modern | 50 | #34,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 49 | #34,580 |
| 2009 | modern | 45 | #34,972 |
| 2010 | modern | 49 | #34,886 |
| 2011 | modern | 46 | #35,047 |
| 2012 | modern | 45 | #35,105 |
| 2013 | modern | 46 | #35,110 |
| 2014 | modern | 45 | #35,201 |
| 2015 | modern | 46 | #35,109 |
| 2016 | modern | 49 | #34,957 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Willesden, London parishes, Paddington, Huish and Overton. 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 | Willesden | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 4 | Huish | Wiltshire |
| 5 | Overton | Wiltshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rasey 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 Rasey, 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 Rasey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rasey 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, Rasey 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 Rasey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rasey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Rasey is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest known records dating back to the late 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "ræs," which means "rush" or "reed," suggesting that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a reed bed or marsh.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where a certain Robert Rasey is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century in the county of Lincolnshire.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Rese," "Resy," and "Resye," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that period. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 record a Nicholas Resy in Oxfordshire, indicating the spread of the name beyond Lincolnshire.
The Rasey surname is also linked to several place names in England, such as Reaseheath in Cheshire and Reasehill in Derbyshire, which may have contributed to the name's development and distribution.
One notable individual bearing the Rasey surname was John Rasey (c. 1430-1499), a prominent English merchant and member of the Guild of St. George in Norwich. Another was Sir Thomas Rasey (1505-1572), a landowner and Member of Parliament who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the Rasey family established themselves as landowners and gentry in various parts of England. William Rasey (1620-1699) was a wealthy merchant and landowner in Gloucestershire, while Richard Rasey (1645-1721) was a respected lawyer and judge in Lincolnshire.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw the Rasey surname spread further across England and Wales. Notable individuals from this period include Admiral Sir James Rasey (1754-1838), a distinguished naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, and Sir William Rasey (1810-1892), a prominent industrialist and philanthropist in Yorkshire.
While the Rasey surname has its roots in England, it has since been adopted by families in various parts of the world, including North America and Australia, due to migration and immigration patterns over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rasey 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. Wiltshire leads with 38 Raseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.63x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wiltshire | 38 | 50.63x |
| Middlesex | 20 | 2.36x |
| Berkshire | 10 | 15.70x |
| Surrey | 9 | 2.18x |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 4.51x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.79x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.57x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.57x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.79x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Huish in Wiltshire leads with 20 Raseys recorded in 1881 and an index of 50000.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Huish | 20 | 50000.00x |
| Alton Priors | 8 | 13333.33x |
| West Woodhay | 8 | 26666.67x |
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 15.45x |
| Kensington London | 6 | 12.72x |
| Paddington London | 6 | 19.23x |
| Reigate Foreign | 6 | 133.93x |
| Claines | 5 | 164.47x |
| Highworth | 5 | 520.83x |
| Battersea | 3 | 9.61x |
| Gateshead | 2 | 10.58x |
| Woolstone | 2 | 3333.33x |
| Avebury | 1 | 476.19x |
| Devonport | 1 | 49.26x |
| Marlborough St Peter St | 1 | 256.41x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 7.46x |
| North Shields | 1 | 39.68x |
| St Mary Bourne | 1 | 312.50x |
| Wilcott | 1 | 625.00x |
| Winterbourne Bassett | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Wroughton | 1 | 153.85x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rasey 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 Rasey 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 Rasey households.
FAQ
In 1881, 87 people were recorded with the Rasey surname. That placed it at #21,334 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 49 in 2016. That gives Rasey a modern rank of #34,957.
A variant spelling of the surname Racy, originating as a nickname for someone considered impulsive or racy.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rasey 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.