NameCensus.

UK surname

Rayman

A habitational surname derived from a place name associated with a ray or clearing.

In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Rayman surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 100, ranked #31,123, down from #24,843 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, London parishes and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Great Yarmouth and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rayman is 134 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 61.3%.

1881 census count

62

Ranked #24,843

Modern count

100

2016, ranked #31,123

Peak year

1861

134 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rayman had 62 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,843 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016, ranked #31,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 134 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Rayman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rayman surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rayman 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 35 #27,037
1861 historical 134 #16,754
1881 historical 62 #24,843
1891 historical 50 #30,253
1901 historical 61 #27,379
1911 historical 77 #25,106
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 87 #29,240
1999 modern 85 #29,578
2000 modern 79 #30,249
2001 modern 78 #30,168
2002 modern 83 #30,070
2003 modern 81 #30,311
2004 modern 88 #29,758
2005 modern 82 #30,617
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 85 #30,954
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 98 #29,906
2010 modern 97 #30,697
2011 modern 94 #31,016
2012 modern 101 #30,078
2013 modern 104 #30,076
2014 modern 101 #30,855
2015 modern 98 #31,342
2016 modern 100 #31,123

Geography

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Where Raymans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Ewell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Camden, Great Yarmouth, Merton, Ipswich and Greenwich. 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 Greenwich London (South Districts)
2 London parishes London 1
3 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
4 Ewell Surrey
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Camden 017 Camden
2 Great Yarmouth 002 Great Yarmouth
3 Merton 007 Merton
4 Ipswich 005 Ipswich
5 Greenwich 037 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rayman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rayman

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Rayman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Rayman 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rayman is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rayman is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rayman 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 Rayman 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 Rayman, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rayman

The surname RAYMAN is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It likely derives from the Old English words "ræg" and "mann," which together mean "roe deer man" or "man associated with roe deer."

This surname was probably initially bestowed as a descriptive nickname upon someone who had a particular skill or occupation related to hunting or managing roe deer. It may also have been given to someone who resided near a region known for its roe deer population.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the RAYMAN surname appears in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, which mention a William Rayman. This suggests the name was already established in parts of England by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279 reference a John Rayman, indicating the name's presence in that region as well. The surname is also found in various other medieval records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which list a Robert Rayman.

During the 15th century, the RAYMAN surname appears to have spread to other parts of England. For instance, the Feet of Fines for Essex from 1467 mention a Thomas Rayman, while the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk from 1524 record a John Rayman.

Notable historical figures bearing the RAYMAN surname include Sir Edward Rayman (1564-1638), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. Another prominent individual was Captain William Rayman (1621-1689), a naval officer who served in the Anglo-Dutch Wars under the Commonwealth of England.

In the 18th century, the RAYMAN surname can be found in various parish records across England, such as the baptismal record of Mary Rayman in Ripon, Yorkshire, in 1704. Additionally, the celebrated English poet and playwright William Rayman (1735-1805) hailed from Lincolnshire and gained recognition for his satirical works.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rayman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rayman 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 22 Raymans recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.64x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 22 3.64x
Kent 16 7.75x
Surrey 7 2.38x
Buckinghamshire 3 8.21x
Lanarkshire 3 1.53x
Essex 2 1.68x
Lancashire 2 0.28x
Yorkshire 2 0.33x
Bedfordshire 1 3.19x
Cumberland 1 1.92x
Devon 1 0.79x
Gloucestershire 1 0.84x
Warwickshire 1 0.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Deptford St Paul in Kent leads with 8 Raymans recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.28x.

Place Total Index
Deptford St Paul 8 50.28x
Greenwich 6 62.31x
St Luke London 6 61.86x
Hackney London 5 14.75x
St Pancras London 4 8.22x
Glasgow 3 8.64x
Upton Cum Chalvey 3 205.48x
Burnley 2 33.11x
Guildford Holy Trinity 2 357.14x
Islington London 2 3.41x
Kingston On Thames 2 28.25x
Leeds 2 5.91x
Paddington London 2 8.99x
Wanstead 2 95.69x
Aston 1 2.38x
Cheltenham 1 10.93x
Crediton 1 84.03x
Edmonton 1 20.53x
Folkestone 1 25.00x
Lambeth 1 1.90x
Lewisham 1 9.09x
Penrith 1 52.08x
Potton 1 238.10x
Southwark St Saviour 1 32.15x
St Botolph Bishopsgate 1 116.28x
St Martin In Fields 1 27.62x
Stoke 1 71.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Alice 3
Hannah 3
Sarah 3
Ada 2
Annie 2
Ellen 2
Mary 2
Rosa 2
Bessey 1
Carrie 1
Charlotte 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
Francis 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Lily 1

Top male names

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

Top occupations

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 Rayman households.

FAQ

Rayman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rayman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Rayman surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rayman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 100 in 2016. That gives Rayman a modern rank of #31,123.

What does the Rayman surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name associated with a ray or clearing.

What does the Rayman map show?

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