NameCensus.

UK surname

Ratty

A surname referring to someone with rat-like qualities or behavior.

In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Ratty surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, down from #21,690 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, London parishes and Paddington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Oxford and Carmarthenshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ratty is 143 in 2003. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.0%.

1881 census count

84

Ranked #21,690

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2003

143 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ratty had 84 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,690 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 121 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ratty surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ratty surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ratty 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 121 #15,049
1861 historical 60 #26,313
1881 historical 84 #21,690
1891 historical 76 #27,290
1901 historical 118 #20,721
1911 historical 108 #21,736
1997 modern 124 #23,669
1998 modern 128 #23,828
1999 modern 133 #23,487
2000 modern 132 #23,562
2001 modern 134 #23,037
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 143 #22,367
2004 modern 141 #22,689
2005 modern 139 #22,887
2006 modern 136 #23,378
2007 modern 134 #23,931
2008 modern 123 #25,505
2009 modern 127 #25,564
2010 modern 132 #25,519
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 126 #26,148
2013 modern 129 #26,211
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 128 #26,356
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Rattys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, London parishes, Paddington and Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Oxford, Carmarthenshire and Cheltenham. 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 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 London parishes London 1
3 Paddington London (West Districts)
4 London parishes London 3
5 Alverstoke, Gosport, Rowner Hampshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 038 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 039 Cornwall
3 Oxford 008 Oxford
4 Carmarthenshire 007 Carmarthenshire
5 Cheltenham 013 Cheltenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ratty

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ratty

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

Ratty is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ratty 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 Ratty is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Ratty, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ratty

The surname Ratty has its origins in the medieval era, tracing back to the English county of Oxfordshire. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ræt," meaning rat, possibly referring to someone who dealt with or was associated with rats in some capacity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ratty can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mentions a certain Richard Raty residing in Oxfordshire. This document provides a valuable glimpse into the early use of the name and its spelling variations.

During the 14th century, the surname appears to have spread to neighboring counties, with records showing a John Ratty living in Berkshire in 1379. The Pipe Rolls of 1381 also mention a William Ratty from Gloucestershire, indicating the surname's gradual migration across the region.

In the 16th century, the name gained further prominence with the birth of Thomas Ratty (1515-1582), a notable English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Grocers in London. His successful trading ventures and contributions to the city's commercial life brought recognition to the Ratty surname.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir John Ratty (1623-1699), a prominent military officer who served in the English Civil War and played a crucial role in the defense of York against the Parliamentarian forces. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him knighthood and a place in English military history.

The 18th century saw the rise of Elizabeth Ratty (1745-1825), a renowned author and playwright whose works shed light on the social and cultural dynamics of her time. Her plays, such as "The Gentleman's Daughter" and "The Virtuous Wife," were widely acclaimed and contributed to the literary landscape of the era.

In the 19th century, the Ratty surname gained further recognition with the birth of Sir William Ratty (1810-1892), a distinguished British diplomat and statesman. He served as the Ambassador to Russia and played a pivotal role in negotiating treaties and fostering diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Throughout its history, the surname Ratty has been associated with various place names and locations, including Ratty Hill in Oxfordshire, Ratty Manor in Gloucestershire, and Ratty Court in Berkshire. These place names serve as a testament to the surname's deep-rooted connections to the English countryside.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ratty families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ratty 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. Middlesex leads with 29 Rattys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.54x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 29 3.54x
Hampshire 11 6.55x
Surrey 9 2.25x
Cumberland 8 11.34x
Lancashire 7 0.72x
Sussex 7 5.07x
Cornwall 5 5.39x
Norfolk 3 2.38x
Staffordshire 2 0.72x
Berkshire 1 1.63x
Midlothian 1 0.91x
Worcestershire 1 0.93x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paddington London in Middlesex leads with 8 Rattys recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.56x.

Place Total Index
Paddington London 8 26.56x
St Katherine Coleman 8 10000.00x
Workington 8 198.02x
Camberwell 6 11.47x
Liverpool 6 10.16x
St Winnow 5 1562.50x
Alverstoke 4 65.79x
Brighton 4 14.36x
Portsea 4 12.15x
Hornsey 3 28.96x
Hove 3 49.51x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 3 389.61x
St George Hanover 3 28.06x
St Marylebone London 3 6.86x
Croydon 2 9.03x
Rowley Regis 2 25.94x
Andover 1 62.89x
Binfield 1 212.77x
Edinburgh Canongate 1 35.84x
Edmonton 1 15.15x
Godstone 1 138.89x
Hampton Wick London 1 166.67x
Islington London 1 1.26x
Lancaster 1 17.30x
Leigh 1 76.92x
St Thomas Winchester 1 84.03x
Stockbridge 1 416.67x
Tottenham 1 7.66x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 8
James 6
Henry 4
William 4
Thomas 3
Albert 2
Daniel 2
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Edmund 1
Fred 1
George 1
J. 1
Joseph 1
Luke 1
Will. 1
Will.Jas. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Ratty surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ratty surname in 1881?

In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Ratty surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ratty surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Ratty a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Ratty surname mean?

A surname referring to someone with rat-like qualities or behavior.

What does the Ratty map show?

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