UK surname
A variant spelling of the English surname "Rainey" derived from a place name.
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Reney surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Plumbland and Sunderland. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reney is 100 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 59.5%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1861
100 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Reney surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Reney surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 51 | #24,096 |
| 1861 | historical | 100 | #21,103 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 36 | #31,465 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 20 | #31,288 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 20 | #36,362 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 18 | #36,723 |
| 2013 | modern | 18 | #36,787 |
| 2014 | modern | 18 | #36,811 |
| 2015 | modern | 17 | #36,887 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Plumbland, Sunderland, Northop and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prestbury | Cheshire |
| 2 | Plumbland | Cumberland |
| 3 | Sunderland | Durham |
| 4 | Northop | Flintshire |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Reney surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Reney, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Reney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Reney household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Reney is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Reney is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Reney, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname RENEY has its origins in France, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "renei," which translates to "renegade" or "apostate." This name was likely given to individuals who had abandoned their religious faith or defected from a particular group or cause.
One of the earliest known bearers of the RENEY surname was Guillaume RENEY, a French knight who fought in the Third Crusade during the late 12th century. His name is recorded in several historical chronicles and manuscripts from that period, including the "Histoire d'Outremer" by Guillaume de Tyr.
In the 13th century, the name appears in various records from the Normandy region of France. For instance, a certain Jehan RENEY is mentioned in the "Rôles de l'Échiquier de Normandie" from 1249, indicating his presence in the area during that time.
The RENEY surname can also be traced back to several place names in France. One such place is the village of Renaix, located in the northern part of the country, near the border with Belgium. It is possible that the RENEY surname originated from this location or a similar-sounding place name.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the RENEY surname. One such figure was Pierre RENEY (1625-1699), a French philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of calculus. Another notable bearer of the name was Marie-Antoinette RENEY (1755-1838), a French writer and feminist who played a role in the French Revolution.
In the 19th century, a prominent figure with the RENEY surname was Louis RENEY (1810-1887), a French politician and statesman who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Second French Empire under Napoleon III.
Another individual of note was Émile RENEY (1870-1954), a French artist and sculptor who was renowned for his works in the Art Nouveau style. His sculptures and architectural embellishments can be found adorning various buildings and public spaces throughout France.
The RENEY surname has a rich history and has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including knights, philosophers, writers, politicians, and artists. While its origins can be traced back to medieval France, the name has since spread and been carried by families across different regions and countries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reney surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Flintshire leads with 15 Reneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 139.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Flintshire | 15 | 139.53x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 1.90x |
| Dunbartonshire | 5 | 46.51x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.00x |
| Angus | 3 | 8.10x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 2.87x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 2.90x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.56x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 3.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northop in Flintshire leads with 15 Reneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3947.37x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northop | 15 | 3947.37x |
| Liverpool | 6 | 20.82x |
| Arbroath | 3 | 243.90x |
| Kirkintilloch | 3 | 205.48x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 3 | 131.00x |
| Dumbarton | 2 | 133.33x |
| Sully | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 15.50x |
| Brattleby | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 8.30x |
| Greenock Oldor West | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Harrington | 1 | 238.10x |
| Manchester | 1 | 4.69x |
| Walton On Hill | 1 | 38.91x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Reney surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Reney surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Reney households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Sailmaker | 2 |
| Ag Labour | 1 |
| Apprentice Joiner | 1 |
| Apprentice School Master | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| House Joiner | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Machinist | 1 |
| Master | 1 |
| Masters Wife | 1 |
| Private Soldier | 1 |
| Retired Master Mariner | 1 |
| Sailmaker (& C) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Reney surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Reney a modern rank of #36,904.
A variant spelling of the English surname "Rainey" derived from a place name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Reney bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.