NameCensus.

UK surname

Renfree

A toponymic surname likely derived from a place name containing "Renfrew" and "free."

In the 1881 census there were 117 people recorded with the Renfree surname, ranking it #18,026 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 195, ranked #19,921, down from #18,026 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Redruth, Paul and Falmouth Town. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Renfree is 211 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.7%.

1881 census count

117

Ranked #18,026

Modern count

195

2016, ranked #19,921

Peak year

2002

211 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Renfree had 117 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #18,026 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 195 in 2016, ranked #19,921.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 153 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Renfree surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Renfree surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Renfree 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 49 #24,448
1861 historical 56 #26,864
1881 historical 117 #18,026
1891 historical 105 #23,241
1901 historical 145 #18,426
1911 historical 153 #17,633
1997 modern 170 #19,505
1998 modern 174 #19,729
1999 modern 179 #19,539
2000 modern 186 #19,055
2001 modern 185 #18,840
2002 modern 211 #17,696
2003 modern 197 #18,311
2004 modern 194 #18,566
2005 modern 190 #18,753
2006 modern 188 #19,023
2007 modern 185 #19,402
2008 modern 200 #18,640
2009 modern 198 #19,145
2010 modern 192 #19,960
2011 modern 185 #20,288
2012 modern 196 #19,463
2013 modern 194 #19,932
2014 modern 198 #19,841
2015 modern 194 #19,994
2016 modern 195 #19,921

Geography

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Where Renfrees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Redruth, Paul, Falmouth Town, St Hilary and Falmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Northumberland. 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 Redruth Cornwall
2 Paul Cornwall
3 Falmouth Town Cornwall
4 St Hilary Cornwall
5 Falmouth Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 023 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 022 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 061 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 058 Cornwall
5 Northumberland 023 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Renfree

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Renfree

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Renfree surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Renfree household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Renfree is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Renfree 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

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

Meaning and origin of Renfree

The surname Renfree originated in Scotland during the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "ren" meaning a rennet or coagulated milk, and "fre" meaning free or independent, possibly referring to someone who owned their own dairy farm or produced their own cheese.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Renfree can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Randulfus Rennefre", indicating the variant spelling used at the time.

In the 14th century, the Renfree family had established themselves in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly around the areas of Renfrewshire and Ayrshire. The name is thought to have originated from the town of Renfrew, which was once spelled as "Rennefrew" or "Rennefrie".

During the 16th century, a notable figure named John Renfree (1534-1601) was a prominent merchant and landowner in Glasgow. He played a significant role in the development of the city's trade and commerce.

In the 17th century, James Renfree (1628-1689) was a Scottish minister and theologian who served as the rector of the University of Glasgow. He was known for his scholarly works on theology and his contributions to the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.

Another notable individual with the surname Renfree was Sir Robert Renfree (1762-1838), a Scottish soldier and diplomat. He served in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars and later became the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

In the 19th century, the Renfree family had members who emigrated to various parts of the British Empire, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. One such individual was William Renfree (1822-1892), who became a successful businessman and landowner in Ontario, Canada.

Throughout its history, the surname Renfree has maintained a strong connection to its Scottish roots, with many descendants still residing in Scotland and the surrounding regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Renfree families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Renfree 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. Cornwall leads with 89 Renfrees recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.89x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 89 68.89x
Glamorgan 7 3.52x
Durham 6 1.77x
Northumberland 5 2.95x
Devon 3 1.26x
Middlesex 2 0.18x
Yorkshire 2 0.18x
Cheshire 1 0.40x
Cumberland 1 1.02x
Warwickshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Budock in Cornwall leads with 14 Renfrees recorded in 1881 and an index of 1443.30x.

Place Total Index
Budock 14 1443.30x
Madron Penzance 14 297.87x
Paul 13 553.19x
Falmouth 10 218.82x
Redruth 9 246.58x
St Stephens By Saltash 9 1607.14x
Brandon Byshottles 6 141.18x
Camborne 5 93.99x
Cowpen 5 127.88x
St Gluvias 5 694.44x
Aberdare 4 29.33x
Sancreed 4 1081.08x
Wendron 4 223.46x
Llanwonno 3 42.02x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 10.93x
Southcoates 2 31.85x
Birkenhead 1 4.98x
Birmingham 1 1.04x
Exeter Holy Trinity 1 107.53x
Hensingham 1 125.00x
Madron 1 96.15x
St Clement 1 74.07x
Tottenham 1 5.50x
Whitechapel London 1 8.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Jane 8
Annie 4
Elizabeth 4
Bessie 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Ellen 2
Emily 2
Grace 2
Margaret 2
Rosa 2
Ada 1
Betsy 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Hannah 1
Hariott 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Janet 1
Joanna 1
Katie 1
Maggie 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Myra 1
Nancey 1
Sarah 1
Selina 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Renfree surname: questions and answers

How common was the Renfree surname in 1881?

In 1881, 117 people were recorded with the Renfree surname. That placed it at #18,026 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Renfree surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 195 in 2016. That gives Renfree a modern rank of #19,921.

What does the Renfree surname mean?

A toponymic surname likely derived from a place name containing "Renfrew" and "free."

What does the Renfree map show?

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