NameCensus.

UK surname

Rennison

A locational surname originating from a place name meaning "valley of stony streams".

In the 1881 census there were 717 people recorded with the Rennison surname, ranking it #5,079 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,162, ranked #5,081, down from #5,079 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlington, Gateshead and Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, County Durham and Craven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rennison is 1,202 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 62.1%.

1881 census count

717

Ranked #5,079

Modern count

1,162

2016, ranked #5,081

Peak year

2014

1,202 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rennison had 717 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,079 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,162 in 2016, ranked #5,081.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,006 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rennison surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rennison surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rennison 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 538 #4,683
1861 historical 525 #4,992
1881 historical 717 #5,079
1891 historical 786 #5,110
1901 historical 985 #4,821
1911 historical 1,006 #4,522
1997 modern 1,147 #4,893
1998 modern 1,169 #4,988
1999 modern 1,192 #4,961
2000 modern 1,186 #4,955
2001 modern 1,164 #4,946
2002 modern 1,179 #4,975
2003 modern 1,127 #5,072
2004 modern 1,121 #5,103
2005 modern 1,107 #5,103
2006 modern 1,104 #5,125
2007 modern 1,132 #5,059
2008 modern 1,139 #5,068
2009 modern 1,173 #5,038
2010 modern 1,190 #5,086
2011 modern 1,185 #5,039
2012 modern 1,169 #5,019
2013 modern 1,197 #4,990
2014 modern 1,202 #5,013
2015 modern 1,181 #5,042
2016 modern 1,162 #5,081

Geography

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Where Rennisons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlington, Gateshead, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall, Middlesborough and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, County Durham, Craven and Barnsley. 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 Darlington Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Middlesborough Durham
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 033 Sunderland
2 County Durham 049 County Durham
3 Sunderland 034 Sunderland
4 Craven 005 Craven
5 Barnsley 017 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rennison

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rennison

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

Rennison 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

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

Meaning and origin of Rennison

The surname Rennison is of English origin, with its roots traceable to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place name that no longer exists or has undergone significant changes over time. Some scholars suggest it may be a variant spelling of the old English word "renning," which meant "a small stream or brook."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rennison can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, where a certain John de Rennyson is mentioned. This historical document serves as evidence that the name was present in England as early as the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the Rennison name appears in various records across northern England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Northumberland. This suggests that the name may have originated in this region, potentially linked to a specific locality or settlement.

The Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1334 for Northumberland list a Robert de Rennyngson, indicating the name's presence in the area during that time period. Additionally, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379 include references to individuals with the surname Rennison, further solidifying its establishment in the region.

One notable figure bearing the Rennison name was Sir Thomas Rennison (1554-1628), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament who served as a Justice of the King's Bench during the reign of King James I. He was born in Yorkshire and played a significant role in the legal and political spheres of his time.

Another prominent individual with this surname was William Rennison (1782-1863), a English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Kensington. He was a respected figure in the Church of England and contributed to various theological works during his lifetime.

John Rennison (1676-1742), a Scottish poet and writer, is also worth mentioning. He was born in Berwickshire and is known for his poetic works, including "The Insurrection of 1715" and "The Invasion of 1719."

Edward Rennison (1845-1922), an English architect and surveyor, left his mark on the architectural landscape of Yorkshire. He designed several notable buildings, including churches and public structures, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Lastly, Robert Rennison (1809-1873), a British naval officer and explorer, embarked on various expeditions in the Arctic regions. His contributions to maritime exploration and charting of the northern seas are acknowledged in historical records.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rennison families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rennison 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 337 Rennisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.86x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 337 4.86x
Durham 118 5.66x
Northumberland 105 10.08x
Lancashire 37 0.45x
Lincolnshire 26 2.32x
Middlesex 22 0.31x
Lanarkshire 11 0.49x
Cumberland 8 1.33x
Dorset 7 1.52x
Ayrshire 6 1.14x
Kent 5 0.21x
Staffordshire 5 0.21x
Westmorland 5 3.25x
Argyllshire 4 2.05x
Cambridgeshire 4 0.90x
Cheshire 3 0.19x
Gloucestershire 3 0.22x
Hampshire 3 0.21x
Royal Navy 2 2.40x
East Lothian 1 1.08x
Glamorgan 1 0.08x
Herefordshire 1 0.35x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Norfolk 1 0.09x
Surrey 1 0.03x
Warwickshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Alnwick in Northumberland leads with 43 Rennisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 239.96x.

Place Total Index
Alnwick 43 239.96x
Heworth 17 41.40x
Leeds 16 4.08x
York St Mary 16 55.65x
Candlesby 15 2542.37x
Darlington 14 17.40x
Thornaby 14 53.99x
Holme On Spalding Moor 11 241.76x
Toxteth Park 11 3.91x
Tynemouth 11 19.71x
North Bierley 10 26.69x
Bridlington 9 56.64x
Crossgate 9 98.79x
Gateshead 9 5.77x
Hunslet 9 8.32x
Middlesbrough 9 9.96x
Newton On The Moor 9 1607.14x
Skirpenbeck 9 2432.43x
Barony 8 1.40x
Houghton Le Spring 8 55.56x
St Pancras London 8 1.42x
Thropton 8 1250.00x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 3.85x
Bishopwearmouth 7 3.91x
Byker 7 13.59x
Gainford 7 325.58x
Gate Fulford 7 43.18x
Holy Trinity 7 4.19x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 7 28.24x
Thorp Arch 7 744.68x
Barnard Castle 6 58.25x
Girvan 6 45.59x
Hackney London 6 1.53x
Knaresborough 6 55.05x
Morley 6 16.63x
Rothwell 6 42.80x
Seaton Delaval 6 65.57x
Wigginton 6 618.56x
Worsbrough 6 29.50x
Ecclesall Bierlow 5 3.54x
Eston 5 33.07x
Great Driffield 5 35.11x
Harraton 5 123.15x
Idle 5 15.54x
Kirkby Malzeard 5 328.95x
Parkstone 5 93.28x
Pontefract 5 33.44x
Shadwell 5 189.39x
Shildon 5 29.87x
Templenewsam 5 99.40x
Watton 5 657.89x
Wolverhampton 5 2.75x
York All Sts Peasholme 5 442.48x
York St Cuthbert 5 78.74x
York St Martin Mklgt W 5 318.47x
Acomb 4 110.19x
Askham Richard 4 714.29x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 4 16.85x
Brandon Byshottles 4 15.33x
Dunoon Kilmun 4 26.32x
Egton Cum Newland 4 165.98x
Erith 4 16.99x
Gate Helmsley 4 816.33x
Hawthorn 4 597.01x
Ledstone 4 754.72x
Louth 4 15.58x
Middleton Hall 4 3333.33x
Monkwearmouth Shore 4 9.84x
Nateby 4 952.38x
North South Killingholme 4 215.05x
Riccall 4 212.77x
Ruswarp 4 51.81x
Scarborough 4 6.34x
Skelton In Guisbrough 4 21.31x
Towton 4 1739.13x
Wallsend 4 12.10x
West Stamford Bridge W 4 1111.11x
Whitburn 4 82.30x
Wisbech St Peter 4 17.98x
Wressell 3 333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 48
Elizabeth 28
Sarah 23
Ann 22
Jane 19
Annie 14
Hannah 14
Alice 13
Margaret 12
Eliza 7
Emma 7
Ellen 6
Isabella 6
Ada 5
Catherine 5
Edith 5
Eleanor 5
Emily 5
Rebecca 5
Frances 4
Martha 4
Clara 3
Dorothy 3
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Lucy 3
Susan 3
Charlotte 2
Francis 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Lilian 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Rhoda 2
Rose 2
Susannah 2
Anne 1
Carrie 1
Crassandra 1
Eleoner 1
Elinor 1
Elisabeth 1
Eliz 1
Elizebeth 1
Hellen 1
Henrietta 1
Hester 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 47
John 44
Thomas 40
George 37
Robert 21
James 14
Joseph 13
Charles 10
Henry 6
Herbert 6
Richard 6
Alfred 5
Arthur 4
Francis 4
Frank 4
Frederick 4
Robt. 4
Albert 3
Ernest 3
Fred 3
Jas. 3
Mark 3
Ralph 3
Thos. 3
Tom 3
Walter 3
David 2
Edward 2
Harrison 2
Lancelot 2
Percy 2
Vincent 2
Watson 2
Willie 2
Benj. 1
Bryan 1
Dolly 1
Ed. 1
Edwin 1
Frederic 1
Geo.Danl. 1
Geo.H. 1
Go. 1
Harry 1
Harvey 1
Jo. 1
Marmaduke 1
Michael 1
Parker 1
Percival 1

FAQ

Rennison surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rennison surname in 1881?

In 1881, 717 people were recorded with the Rennison surname. That placed it at #5,079 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rennison surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,162 in 2016. That gives Rennison a modern rank of #5,081.

What does the Rennison surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place name meaning "valley of stony streams".

What does the Rennison map show?

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