NameCensus.

UK surname

Renault

French, one who belongs to a family originating in Regnault, France.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Renault surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 93, ranked #31,945, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southampton, Cardiff and Dover.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Renault is 107 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 745.5%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

93

2016, ranked #31,945

Peak year

2013

107 bearers

Map years

1

2006 to 2006

Key insights

  • Renault had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 93 in 2016, ranked #31,945.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 30 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Renault surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Renault surname density by area, 2006 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Renault 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 8 #32,887
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 20 #32,579
1901 historical 19 #31,911
1911 historical 30 #30,073
1997 modern 75 #30,109
1998 modern 81 #29,849
1999 modern 94 #28,593
2000 modern 96 #28,299
2001 modern 90 #28,793
2002 modern 95 #28,666
2003 modern 90 #29,260
2004 modern 99 #28,136
2005 modern 106 #27,044
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 95 #31,000
2011 modern 99 #30,218
2012 modern 100 #30,258
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 101 #30,855
2015 modern 95 #31,749
2016 modern 93 #31,945

Geography

Back to top

Where Renaults are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Southampton, Cardiff, Dover and South Kesteven. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Southampton 015 Southampton
2 Cardiff 022 Cardiff
3 Dover 007 Dover
4 Southampton 012 Southampton
5 South Kesteven 012 South Kesteven

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Renault

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Renault

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Renault, 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 Renault surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Renault 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Renault 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

Renault 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

Renault falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Renault is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Renault

The surname Renault originates from France and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "renard," meaning fox. The name likely arose as a nickname for someone considered cunning or sly, or perhaps someone with reddish hair reminiscent of a fox's coloring.

The earliest recorded instances of the Renault name can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of France, including Normandy, Brittany, and the Île-de-France region surrounding Paris. Variant spellings from this period include Renart, Regnart, and Regnault.

In the 13th century, a nobleman named Gilles Renault was recorded as a participant in the Seventh Crusade, which took place between 1248 and 1254. Around the same time, a Renault de Mézières served as a diplomat and advisor to King Charles V of France in the late 14th century.

The Renault name also has connections to place names in France. The town of Renault, located in the Auvergne region, likely took its name from an early bearer of the surname. Similarly, the village of Renaudie in the Poitou region may have derived its name from a Renault family residing there.

One notable figure in French history was Jean Renault (1432-1499), a lawyer and diplomat who served as the ambassador of King Louis XI to the Holy Roman Empire. Later, in the 17th century, a Renault family produced several prominent members, including Jacques Renault (1608-1662), a French Jesuit missionary who worked in Canada, and Augustin Renault (1654-1729), a businessman and explorer who established settlements in the Illinois Country of North America.

Another famous bearer of the Renault surname was Louis Renault (1877-1944), the French industrialist and businessman who founded the Renault automobile company in 1899. His company played a significant role in the development of the automotive industry and became one of the largest and most recognizable car manufacturers in the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Renault families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Renault 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. Channel Islands leads with 54 Renaults recorded in 1881 and an index of 287.39x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 54 287.39x
Middlesex 11 1.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 11 Renaults recorded in 1881 and an index of 179.74x.

Place Total Index
St Helier 11 179.74x
St John 9 2500.00x
Kensington London 8 22.70x
Forest 7 5384.62x
St Martin 7 608.70x
St Peter 6 1111.11x
Trinity 5 1162.79x
St Brelade 4 833.33x
St Anne Soho London 3 82.87x
St Maryde Castro 2 434.78x
St Andrew 1 400.00x
St Peterinthe Wood 1 400.00x
St Saviour 1 96.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 2
Ann 2
Augustine 2
Clara 2
Eliza 2
Jane 2
Mary 2
Ada 1
Angele 1
Blanche 1
Elise 1
Eufrasie 1
Harriet 1
Harriette 1
Hortense 1
Josephine 1
Julia 1
Justine 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Marian 1
Marie 1
Maud 1
Melie 1
Sophia 1
Sophie 1
Virginie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 5
Edward 3
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Louis 2
Peter 2
Albert 1
Alexandre 1
Alfd. 1
Alfonse 1
Emile 1
Eugene 1
Ferdinand 1
Francois 1
Frederic 1
George 1
Jean 1
Maturin 1
Philip 1
Pierre 1
Thomas 1

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 Renault households.

FAQ

Renault surname: questions and answers

How common was the Renault surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Renault surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Renault surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 93 in 2016. That gives Renault a modern rank of #31,945.

What does the Renault surname mean?

French, one who belongs to a family originating in Regnault, France.

What does the Renault map show?

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