NameCensus.

UK surname

Rathmell

A locational surname referring to someone from a place named Rathmell.

In the 1881 census there were 169 people recorded with the Rathmell surname, ranking it #14,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 208, ranked #19,062, down from #14,324 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Thornhill, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall and Wakefield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Calderdale, Harrogate and Bradford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rathmell is 301 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.1%.

1881 census count

169

Ranked #14,324

Modern count

208

2016, ranked #19,062

Peak year

1901

301 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rathmell had 169 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,324 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016, ranked #19,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 301 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rathmell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rathmell surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rathmell 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 133 #14,106
1861 historical 165 #14,112
1881 historical 169 #14,324
1891 historical 218 #14,023
1901 historical 301 #11,627
1911 historical 264 #12,449
1997 modern 229 #16,168
1998 modern 236 #16,304
1999 modern 235 #16,458
2000 modern 238 #16,290
2001 modern 229 #16,467
2002 modern 228 #16,828
2003 modern 231 #16,504
2004 modern 228 #16,723
2005 modern 237 #16,244
2006 modern 234 #16,493
2007 modern 228 #16,984
2008 modern 228 #17,146
2009 modern 226 #17,587
2010 modern 231 #17,711
2011 modern 229 #17,633
2012 modern 209 #18,659
2013 modern 207 #19,093
2014 modern 207 #19,259
2015 modern 204 #19,331
2016 modern 208 #19,062

Geography

Back to top

Where Rathmells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Thornhill, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall, Wakefield, Kirkby Overblow and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Calderdale, Harrogate, Bradford, Stockton-on-Tees and Craven. 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 Thornhill Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Kirkby Overblow Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Calderdale 018 Calderdale
2 Harrogate 006 Harrogate
3 Bradford 057 Bradford
4 Stockton-on-Tees 024 Stockton-on-Tees
5 Craven 002 Craven

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rathmell

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rathmell

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

Rathmell is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rathmell falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rathmell

The surname Rathmell has its origins in the historic county of Yorkshire, England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from a compound of two Old English words, "raed" meaning "red" and "mill" referring to a mill, suggesting that the first bearers of this name may have lived near or operated a red-colored mill.

Rathmell is also closely associated with the village of the same name located in the Yorkshire Dales, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Radmell." This connection to a specific place name is a common occurrence for many English surnames, as people often adopted the name of their place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Rathmell can be found in the Yorkshire Inquisitions of 1285, where a John de Radmell is mentioned. This document provides valuable insight into the evolution of the name's spelling over time.

In the 14th century, records show a William de Rathmell who served as the Rector of Rathmell Church in Yorkshire from 1349 to 1361. This highlights the presence of the surname among the local clergy during that period.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the surname was John Rathmell (c. 1520 - 1591), an English Roman Catholic priest and martyr who was executed for his faith during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent individual was Sir Benjamin Rathmell (1677 - 1743), an English politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Knaresborough from 1708 to 1710 and for Aldborough from 1710 to 1722.

In the literary world, Mary Ann Rathmell (1840 - 1923) was a renowned English author and translator, best known for her works on Italian literature and her translations of Italian poetry.

Throughout its history, the surname Rathmell has maintained a strong presence in the Yorkshire region, with many variations in spelling, including Radmell, Rathmill, and Rathmel, reflecting the local dialects and the evolution of language over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rathmell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rathmell 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. Yorkshire leads with 165 Rathmells recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.10x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 165 10.10x
Lancashire 3 0.15x
Hampshire 1 0.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horsforth in Yorkshire leads with 26 Rathmells recorded in 1881 and an index of 726.26x.

Place Total Index
Horsforth 26 726.26x
Rothwell 16 484.85x
Headingley Cum Burley 13 123.57x
Stainburn 13 13000.00x
Wakefield 11 87.72x
Pannal 8 509.55x
Leeds 7 7.59x
Southowram 7 140.28x
Otley 6 151.13x
Ruswarp 6 329.67x
Arncliffe 5 6250.00x
Bank Newton 5 8333.33x
Burley In Wharfdale 5 347.22x
Rigton 5 2272.73x
Grassington 4 1142.86x
Hunslet 4 15.70x
Stirton Cum Thorlby 4 4444.44x
Weeton 4 2222.22x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 9.65x
Selby 2 58.65x
South Milford 2 333.33x
York Marygate St Olave 2 317.46x
Arthington 1 400.00x
Blubberhouses 1 2500.00x
Calverley Cum Farsley 1 21.55x
Hartwith Cum Winsley 1 166.67x
Hazlewood Storiths 1 1000.00x
Hetton 1 1666.67x
Kettlewell With 1 476.19x
Northwood 1 20.79x
Plompton 1 1111.11x
Wilsden 1 59.52x
Wortley In Bramley 1 7.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Sarah 8
Ann 7
Ada 4
Annie 4
Elizabeth 4
Eliza 3
Jane 3
Rachel 3
Dora 2
Hannah 2
Isabella 2
Maria 2
Ruth 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Barbour 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Eleann 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Fanney 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Geuetha 1
Henrietta 1
Jenet 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Margret 1
Martha 1
Maud 1
Nanny 1
Rachael 1
Selina 1
Susannah 1
Zillah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
Joseph 10
William 9
Samuel 7
Richard 4
Thomas 4
Albert 3
Benjamin 3
Arthur 2
Bernard 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
George 2
Abraham 1
Absolem 1
Charles 1
Clifford 1
Fred 1
Hedley 1
Holmes 1
Horace 1
Hutton 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
James 1
Josephh 1
Marshall 1
Robert 1
Tom 1
Willaim 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Rathmell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rathmell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 169 people were recorded with the Rathmell surname. That placed it at #14,324 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rathmell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016. That gives Rathmell a modern rank of #19,062.

What does the Rathmell surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from a place named Rathmell.

What does the Rathmell map show?

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