NameCensus.

UK surname

Raynor

An English occupational surname referring to one who worked as a fox hunter or keeper of foxhounds.

In the 1881 census there were 2,081 people recorded with the Raynor surname, ranking it #2,124 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,211, ranked #2,932, down from #2,124 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Basford, London parishes and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ashfield, Nottingham and Barnsley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Raynor is 2,623 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.2%.

1881 census count

2,081

Ranked #2,124

Modern count

2,211

2016, ranked #2,932

Peak year

1901

2,623 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Raynor had 2,081 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,124 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,211 in 2016, ranked #2,932.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,623 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Raynor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Raynor surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Raynor 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 1,158 #2,435
1861 historical 1,263 #2,259
1881 historical 2,081 #2,124
1891 historical 2,275 #2,052
1901 historical 2,623 #2,102
1911 historical 2,004 #2,480
1997 modern 2,256 #2,751
1998 modern 2,315 #2,786
1999 modern 2,319 #2,803
2000 modern 2,316 #2,787
2001 modern 2,239 #2,815
2002 modern 2,271 #2,839
2003 modern 2,189 #2,875
2004 modern 2,180 #2,894
2005 modern 2,137 #2,903
2006 modern 2,140 #2,902
2007 modern 2,167 #2,896
2008 modern 2,191 #2,893
2009 modern 2,261 #2,880
2010 modern 2,314 #2,878
2011 modern 2,268 #2,896
2012 modern 2,209 #2,912
2013 modern 2,230 #2,926
2014 modern 2,254 #2,918
2015 modern 2,218 #2,926
2016 modern 2,211 #2,932

Geography

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Where Raynors are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Basford, London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Nottingham St Mary and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ashfield, Nottingham, Barnsley and Broxtowe. 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 Basford Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ashfield 015 Ashfield
2 Nottingham 038 Nottingham
3 Barnsley 026 Barnsley
4 Broxtowe 013 Broxtowe
5 Broxtowe 011 Broxtowe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Raynor

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Raynor

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Raynor surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Raynor household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Raynor is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Raynor is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Raynor falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Raynor

The surname Raynor is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Reginald," which is a compound of the Germanic elements "ragin" meaning "counsel" and "wald" meaning "rule." Essentially, the name signifies "counselor" or "wise ruler."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Raynor appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties compiled by order of William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Reginald," reflecting its original Old English spelling.

The name Raynor experienced various spelling variations over the centuries, including Reyner, Rainer, Rayner, and Reynor, among others. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal preferences in record-keeping.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name Raynor was Sir John Raynor, a prominent English knight who served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War. He was renowned for his military prowess and valor in battles against the French.

Another historical figure of note was William Raynor, a 16th-century English clergyman and scholar. He served as the Bishop of Norwich from 1536 to 1545 and played a significant role in the English Reformation.

Transitioning to the 17th century, John Raynor (1623-1677) was a renowned English mathematician and astronomer. He made important contributions to the field of navigation and authored several influential works on celestial mechanics.

In the 18th century, the name Raynor was associated with the village of Raynor Park in Yorkshire, England. This place name likely originated from an early landholder or prominent family bearing the surname Raynor in the region.

Moving forward to the 19th century, John Raynor (1797-1870) was a notable English architect who designed several iconic buildings, including St. Peter's Church in Nottingham and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Throughout its history, the surname Raynor has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including nobles, clergymen, scholars, and professionals. Its enduring presence across centuries bears witness to the rich tapestry of English history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Raynor families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Raynor 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 531 Raynors recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.65x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 531 2.65x
Nottinghamshire 344 12.60x
Lancashire 316 1.32x
Middlesex 165 0.81x
Derbyshire 112 3.53x
Lincolnshire 93 2.87x
Cheshire 76 1.70x
Surrey 56 0.57x
Leicestershire 53 2.36x
Norfolk 41 1.32x
Hampshire 36 0.87x
Staffordshire 31 0.45x
Essex 30 0.75x
Warwickshire 26 0.51x
Durham 25 0.42x
Kent 22 0.32x
Suffolk 18 0.73x
Northumberland 16 0.53x
Hertfordshire 14 1.00x
Cambridgeshire 13 1.01x
Gloucestershire 10 0.25x
Worcestershire 8 0.30x
Monmouthshire 7 0.48x
Lanarkshire 6 0.09x
Sussex 5 0.15x
Glamorgan 4 0.11x
Bedfordshire 3 0.29x
Berkshire 3 0.20x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.16x
Clackmannanshire 2 1.20x
Midlothian 2 0.07x
Banffshire 1 0.24x
Cumberland 1 0.06x
Northamptonshire 1 0.05x
Rutland 1 0.67x
Shropshire 1 0.06x
Somerset 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 88 Raynors recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.46x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 88 12.46x
Oldham 80 10.31x
Basford 56 44.51x
Brightside Bierlow 29 7.37x
Nether Hallam 27 9.94x
Heanor 26 54.84x
Hucknall Torkard 26 37.56x
Sheffield 25 3.91x
Radford 24 17.31x
Wincham 23 279.13x
Chadderton 21 17.88x
Leeds 21 1.85x
St Pancras London 20 1.23x
Leicester St Margaret 19 3.47x
Bradford 18 3.71x
Almondbury 17 17.52x
Barnsley 17 8.21x
Greasley 17 27.61x
Dewsbury 16 7.77x
Manchester 16 1.48x
St George Hanover 16 6.05x
Bostock 15 1094.89x
Aston Cum Aughton 14 85.31x
Horton In Bradford 14 4.47x
Hulme 14 2.79x
Lockwood 14 19.39x
Thurgoland 14 103.40x
Bulwell 13 21.91x
Hartshead 13 144.61x
St Marylebone London 13 1.20x
Ecclesall Bierlow 12 2.94x
Mansfield 12 12.70x
Nottingham St Peter 12 39.43x
Ryde 12 13.46x
Walthamstow 12 8.34x
Burton Extra 11 28.07x
Chorlton On Medlock 11 2.88x
Hackney London 11 0.97x
Lambeth 11 0.62x
Mexborough 11 27.62x
Pinxton 11 68.24x
Therfield 11 134.80x
Woodhouse 11 123.18x
Aspull 10 17.69x
Batley 10 5.24x
Bow London 10 3.88x
Ilkeston 10 11.25x
North Elmshall 10 502.51x
Rastrick 10 17.94x
Swithland 10 584.80x
Battersea 9 1.21x
Hogsthorpe 9 179.64x
Hunslet 9 2.88x
Islington London 9 0.46x
Kensington London 9 0.80x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 9 12.56x
Pilkington 9 9.86x
Preston 9 1.40x
Southampton All Sts 9 12.64x
Strelley 9 514.29x
Walpole 9 328.47x
Wolstanton 9 4.34x
Arnold 8 20.08x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 8 4.28x
Chesterfield 8 6.73x
Hammersmith London 8 1.60x
Helmsley 8 74.35x
Little Bolton 8 2.59x
Nuthall 8 78.13x
Oldbury 8 6.15x
Southcoates 8 7.18x
Spondon 8 65.57x
Stokesley 8 63.95x
Bolsover 7 44.03x
Boston 7 7.13x
Broughton In Preston 7 169.90x
Colne 7 9.78x
Kearsley 7 13.84x
Stockport 7 3.04x
West Bilney 7 451.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 138
William 135
James 72
George 71
Joseph 59
Thomas 46
Henry 37
Arthur 31
Charles 28
Walter 26
Samuel 25
Robert 24
Frederick 21
Edward 20
Alfred 16
Albert 14
Benjamin 13
Wm. 11
Ernest 10
Frank 10
Harry 10
David 9
Fred 9
Herbert 9
Edwin 7
Francis 6
Tom 6
Daniel 5
Isaac 5
Richard 5
Thos. 5
Edmund 4
Geo. 4
Louis 4
Oliver 4
Aaron 3
Chas. 3
Leonard 3
Moses 3
Philip 3
Stanley 3
Abraham 2
Alexander 2
Benj. 2
Fredrick 2
Joshua 2
Lawrence 2
Mark 2
Reuben 2
Robt. 2

FAQ

Raynor surname: questions and answers

How common was the Raynor surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,081 people were recorded with the Raynor surname. That placed it at #2,124 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Raynor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,211 in 2016. That gives Raynor a modern rank of #2,932.

What does the Raynor surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to one who worked as a fox hunter or keeper of foxhounds.

What does the Raynor map show?

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