NameCensus.

UK surname

Rayson

A surname derived from the Middle English phrase "rey's son" meaning "son of Rey."

In the 1881 census there were 859 people recorded with the Rayson surname, ranking it #4,404 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,255, ranked #4,763, down from #4,404 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bedworth, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Allerdale, Carlisle and Pendle.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rayson is 1,284 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.1%.

1881 census count

859

Ranked #4,404

Modern count

1,255

2016, ranked #4,763

Peak year

1999

1,284 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rayson had 859 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,404 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,255 in 2016, ranked #4,763.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,201 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rayson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rayson surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rayson 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 591 #4,326
1861 historical 703 #3,854
1881 historical 859 #4,404
1891 historical 967 #4,274
1901 historical 1,119 #4,326
1911 historical 1,201 #3,913
1997 modern 1,237 #4,590
1998 modern 1,277 #4,650
1999 modern 1,284 #4,651
2000 modern 1,281 #4,639
2001 modern 1,228 #4,710
2002 modern 1,231 #4,793
2003 modern 1,196 #4,820
2004 modern 1,192 #4,834
2005 modern 1,201 #4,756
2006 modern 1,196 #4,784
2007 modern 1,188 #4,849
2008 modern 1,196 #4,855
2009 modern 1,243 #4,797
2010 modern 1,278 #4,781
2011 modern 1,251 #4,816
2012 modern 1,215 #4,861
2013 modern 1,236 #4,869
2014 modern 1,265 #4,802
2015 modern 1,256 #4,779
2016 modern 1,255 #4,763

Geography

Back to top

Where Raysons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bedworth, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Manchester and Martock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Allerdale, Carlisle and Pendle. 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 Bedworth Warwickshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Martock Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Allerdale 006 Allerdale
2 Allerdale 007 Allerdale
3 Carlisle 001 Carlisle
4 Pendle 004 Pendle
5 Carlisle 010 Carlisle

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rayson

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rayson

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rayson 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

Rayson is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rayson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rayson

The surname Rayson has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ræge" and "sun," which together translate to "son of the roe deer." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname or descriptive name given to someone who had a particular affinity or occupation related to deer.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rayson can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where it appears as "Reyson." This document was a census-like record compiled during the reign of King Edward I, making it a valuable source for studying surnames and their origins in medieval England.

In the 14th century, records show that a John Rayson was born in the village of Deddington, Oxfordshire, around 1320. This provides evidence that the surname was well-established in parts of England during this time period.

The Rayson name has also been linked to various place names throughout England, such as Rayson Farm in Lincolnshire and Rayson Moor in Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname over time.

Renowned individuals with the surname Rayson include Sir John Rayson (1615-1684), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Hertfordshire, and William Rayson (1785-1854), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars.

Other notable figures with this surname include: 1. Thomas Rayson (1768-1836), an English clergyman and author. 2. Elizabeth Rayson (1831-1915), an Australian philanthropist and social reformer. 3. Alfred Rayson (1856-1937), a British architect and designer. 4. Leonard Rayson (1884-1964), an Australian politician and member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. 5. Frederick Rayson (1902-1982), a British artist and illustrator known for his work in children's books.

While the surname Rayson may have evolved over time and taken on various spellings, its roots can be traced back to medieval England, where it likely originated as a descriptive name or nickname related to deer.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rayson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rayson 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. Cumberland leads with 104 Raysons recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.43x.

County Total Index
Cumberland 104 14.43x
Somerset 86 6.38x
Lancashire 76 0.77x
Middlesex 72 0.86x
Lincolnshire 62 4.63x
Suffolk 50 4.90x
Warwickshire 47 2.23x
Northamptonshire 40 5.08x
Leicestershire 38 4.10x
Yorkshire 36 0.43x
Durham 30 1.20x
Norfolk 29 2.25x
Surrey 22 0.54x
Hampshire 20 1.17x
Kent 17 0.60x
Glamorgan 16 1.10x
Nottinghamshire 16 1.42x
Staffordshire 15 0.53x
Clackmannanshire 12 17.36x
Northumberland 12 0.96x
Hertfordshire 11 1.91x
Essex 10 0.61x
Gloucestershire 6 0.37x
Oxfordshire 6 1.16x
Rutland 6 9.76x
Worcestershire 6 0.55x
Brecknockshire 3 1.79x
Derbyshire 3 0.23x
Berkshire 2 0.32x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.40x
Dorset 1 0.18x
Midlothian 1 0.09x
Sussex 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Martock in Somerset leads with 24 Raysons recorded in 1881 and an index of 273.97x.

Place Total Index
Martock 24 273.97x
Skillington 19 1681.42x
Easton 17 598.59x
Ingleton 17 2428.57x
Bedworth 16 103.90x
Hinckley 14 63.61x
Whitehaven 13 33.85x
Alloa 12 35.80x
Chelsea London 12 4.76x
Leicester St Margaret 12 5.30x
St Pancras London 12 1.78x
Aspatria 11 158.73x
Caldewgate 11 27.86x
Cheshunt 11 54.54x
Dalston 11 197.49x
Gorton 11 11.78x
Levenshulme 11 107.63x
Somerton 11 200.00x
Compton Dundon 10 609.76x
Islington London 9 1.11x
Blagdon 8 281.69x
Dacre 8 287.77x
Fulham London 8 6.59x
Keynsham 8 82.73x
Monks Eleigh 8 481.93x
Portsea 8 2.38x
St Cuthbert Within 8 95.81x
Stickford 8 571.43x
Thurlby Obthorpe 8 446.93x
York St Mary 8 23.29x
Ystradyfodwg 8 6.26x
Ainsworth 7 182.29x
Aston 7 1.20x
Bedminster 7 5.53x
Embleton 7 700.00x
Ipswich St Margaret 7 20.24x
Nottingham St Peter 7 55.64x
Ringwood 7 63.75x
Ruislip 7 167.87x
Westley 7 1521.74x
Bradford 6 12.91x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 3.88x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 6 31.36x
Camerton 6 153.06x
Corby 6 267.86x
Featherstone 6 606.06x
Great Yarmouth 6 5.63x
Hambledon 6 138.89x
Lawshall 6 262.01x
Mile End Old Town 6 4.54x
Northowram 6 10.32x
Bingham 5 104.17x
Birmingham 5 0.71x
Bishopwearmouth 5 2.34x
Deptford St Paul 5 2.27x
Gaywood 5 216.45x
Greenwich 5 3.75x
Harwich St Nicholas 5 39.19x
Holme Low 5 251.26x
Hulme 5 2.41x
Kirkandrews On Esk 5 204.92x
Lambeth 5 0.69x
Langrigg Mealrigg 5 632.91x
Manchester 5 1.12x
Newcastle Higher 5 50.51x
Oldham 5 1.56x
Preston Capes 5 793.65x
Salford 5 1.71x
Stoke Newington London 5 7.67x
Stoke Upon Trent 5 1.67x
Thirlwall 5 295.86x
West Derby 5 1.72x
Wolverhampton 5 2.30x
Aston Cum Aughton 4 59.00x
Attleborough 4 61.54x
Burbage 4 82.64x
Coventry Holy Trinity 4 6.35x
Foleshill 4 18.01x
Mollington 4 506.33x
Stranton 4 4.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 70
John 66
George 36
Thomas 31
James 18
Charles 16
Joseph 16
Henry 14
Arthur 12
Albert 9
Alfred 8
Robert 8
Walter 8
Edward 5
Frank 5
Samuel 5
Frederick 4
Harry 4
Richard 4
Matthew 3
Thos. 3
Tom 3
Willm. 3
Ambrose 2
Benjamin 2
Christopher 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Herbert 2
Isaac 2
Luke 2
Oliver 2
Paul 2
Thos.P. 2
Bruce 1
Cornelius 1
Daniel 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Malcolm 1
Miles 1
Napthali 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Rbt.C. 1
Ziba 1

FAQ

Rayson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rayson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 859 people were recorded with the Rayson surname. That placed it at #4,404 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rayson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,255 in 2016. That gives Rayson a modern rank of #4,763.

What does the Rayson surname mean?

A surname derived from the Middle English phrase "rey's son" meaning "son of Rey."

What does the Rayson map show?

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