NameCensus.

UK surname

Renshaw

An English topographic surname denoting someone who lived near a row of houses or buildings, from "rean" meaning "row."

In the 1881 census there were 2,832 people recorded with the Renshaw surname, ranking it #1,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,775, ranked #1,788, down from #1,575 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sheffield, Manchester and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, Ashfield and Flintshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Renshaw is 4,126 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.3%.

1881 census count

2,832

Ranked #1,575

Modern count

3,775

2016, ranked #1,788

Peak year

1998

4,126 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Renshaw had 2,832 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,575 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,775 in 2016, ranked #1,788.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,806 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Renshaw surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Renshaw surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Renshaw 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 1,762 #1,638
1861 historical 1,442 #1,972
1881 historical 2,832 #1,575
1891 historical 2,885 #1,640
1901 historical 3,650 #1,537
1911 historical 3,806 #1,359
1997 modern 4,020 #1,612
1998 modern 4,126 #1,636
1999 modern 4,092 #1,657
2000 modern 4,072 #1,659
2001 modern 3,989 #1,659
2002 modern 4,109 #1,649
2003 modern 3,920 #1,683
2004 modern 3,932 #1,688
2005 modern 3,844 #1,697
2006 modern 3,850 #1,703
2007 modern 3,852 #1,714
2008 modern 3,879 #1,713
2009 modern 3,952 #1,723
2010 modern 4,004 #1,736
2011 modern 3,913 #1,751
2012 modern 3,780 #1,781
2013 modern 3,829 #1,788
2014 modern 3,838 #1,792
2015 modern 3,795 #1,794
2016 modern 3,775 #1,788

Geography

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Where Renshaws are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, Ashfield, Flintshire, Amber Valley and North East Derbyshire. 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 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Manchester Lancashire
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 009 Bolsover
2 Ashfield 011 Ashfield
3 Flintshire 003 Flintshire
4 Amber Valley 003 Amber Valley
5 North East Derbyshire 013 North East Derbyshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Renshaw

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Renshaw

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Renshaw 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

Renshaw 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

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

Meaning and origin of Renshaw

The surname Renshaw has its origins in the northern counties of England, particularly Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "ren" or "ryn," meaning a small stream or rivulet, and "sceaga," meaning a small wood or grove.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1379, where a John de Renshaw is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by that time and may have originated as a descriptive surname for someone who lived near a small stream or rivulet surrounded by a grove.

The Renshaw family is also believed to have had connections to various locations in Lancashire and Yorkshire, such as Renshaw in Leyland and Renshawholme in Ormskirk. These place names likely inspired or reinforced the surname's usage.

During the reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century, a notable figure named Thomas Renshaw served as a courtier and diplomat. He was born around 1498 and died in 1555. Another early individual of note was John Renshaw, a clergyman who lived from 1625 to 1680 and served as the Rector of Standish in Lancashire.

In the 18th century, a prominent Renshaw family emerged in Liverpool, with several members becoming successful merchants and shipowners. One of the most notable figures from this family was Samuel Renshaw (1744-1811), a prominent shipowner and merchant who played a significant role in the growth of Liverpool's maritime trade.

Another famous bearer of the Renshaw surname was William Renshaw (1861-1904), a British tennis player who won seven major singles titles, including the Wimbledon Championships in 1888. His younger brother, Ernest Renshaw (1861-1899), was also a successful tennis player, winning the Wimbledon Championships in 1888 and 1889.

Throughout history, the Renshaw surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including clergymen, merchants, shipowners, and athletes, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who have carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Renshaw families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Renshaw 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. Lancashire leads with 1,115 Renshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.40x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,115 3.40x
Cheshire 352 5.77x
Derbyshire 334 7.72x
Yorkshire 320 1.17x
Nottinghamshire 250 6.71x
Middlesex 105 0.38x
Staffordshire 61 0.65x
Warwickshire 41 0.59x
Lincolnshire 37 0.84x
Kent 34 0.36x
Surrey 24 0.18x
Durham 19 0.23x
Northamptonshire 16 0.62x
Northumberland 16 0.39x
Lanarkshire 14 0.16x
Essex 13 0.24x
Midlothian 12 0.32x
Cumberland 9 0.38x
Flintshire 9 1.21x
Shropshire 9 0.38x
Hampshire 8 0.14x
Berkshire 7 0.34x
Devon 4 0.07x
Gloucestershire 4 0.07x
Leicestershire 3 0.10x
Sussex 3 0.06x
Renfrewshire 2 0.09x
Roxburghshire 2 0.40x
Royal Navy 2 0.61x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.04x
Angus 1 0.04x
Ayrshire 1 0.05x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.06x
Dorset 1 0.06x
Norfolk 1 0.02x
Rutland 1 0.49x
Worcestershire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Manchester in Lancashire leads with 111 Renshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.53x.

Place Total Index
Manchester 111 7.53x
Salford 111 11.51x
Hulme 110 16.07x
Chorlton On Medlock 89 17.08x
Sheffield 59 6.77x
Oldham 55 5.20x
Sale 52 69.48x
South Normanton 47 154.66x
Pendleton In Salford 44 11.26x
Mansfield 43 33.36x
Openshaw 41 26.70x
Sutton In Ashfield 39 48.25x
Eckington 36 34.25x
Staveley 36 46.88x
Toxteth Park 34 3.06x
Withington 30 28.40x
Brightside Bierlow 29 5.40x
Altrincham 27 25.33x
Didsbury 27 62.01x
Ardwick 25 8.45x
Ashton On Mersey 25 79.26x
Pilkington 25 20.07x
Barton Upon Irwell 22 8.91x
Northenden 22 197.84x
Stockport 21 6.69x
Claylane 20 33.25x
Pownall Fee 20 73.29x
Heap 19 10.92x
Honley 19 39.64x
Rugby 19 20.15x
Nottingham St Mary 18 1.87x
Stretford 18 9.98x
Birkenhead 17 3.50x
Broughton In Salford 17 5.67x
Greasley 16 19.04x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 16 6.52x
Baguley 15 215.52x
Chesterfield 15 9.25x
Beighton 14 71.43x
Edwinstowe 14 158.37x
Holy Trinity 14 2.13x
Litchurch 14 8.04x
Newton 14 5.54x
Whittington 14 23.39x
Ecclesfield 13 6.47x
Haughton 13 27.17x
High Leigh 13 161.69x
Huddersfield 13 3.26x
Hyde 13 7.22x
Islington London 13 0.49x
Romiley 13 75.54x
Tankersley 13 63.69x
Blatchinworth 12 16.07x
Brampton 12 19.84x
Edinburgh New North 12 37.24x
Gomersal 12 9.39x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 11 11.06x
Ashover 11 51.09x
Burnage 11 136.99x
Bury 11 2.94x
Little Bolton 11 2.61x
Bradford 10 6.52x
Chelsea London 10 1.20x
Ecclesall Bierlow 10 1.80x
Harpurhey 10 21.97x
Linby 10 330.03x
Monks Coppenhall 10 4.34x
Radford 10 5.28x
Shoreditch London 10 0.83x
Ault Hucknall 9 126.94x
Derby St Werburgh 9 3.60x
Holywell 9 9.65x
Monks Kirby 9 58.71x
Newark Upon Trent 9 6.72x
North Wheatley 9 244.57x
Norwell Woodhouse 9 1097.56x
Plumstead 9 2.86x
Swinderby 9 188.28x
Timperley 9 42.43x
Warsop 9 91.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 214
Sarah 130
Elizabeth 120
Hannah 59
Ann 52
Martha 46
Annie 44
Eliza 42
Alice 40
Emma 39
Jane 39
Ellen 31
Margaret 31
Edith 22
Ada 21
Emily 19
Harriet 19
Charlotte 18
Florence 15
Maria 15
Clara 12
Lucy 12
Agnes 11
Isabella 10
Louisa 10
Rachel 10
Susan 10
Anne 9
Caroline 9
Catherine 9
Elizth. 9
Frances 9
Fanny 8
Bertha 7
Harriett 7
Julia 7
Kate 7
Rose 7
Susannah 7
Dorothy 6
Lydia 6
Rebecca 6
Amy 5
Ethel 5
Lizzie 5
Minnie 5
Amelia 4
Beatrice 4
Gertrude 4
Lilly 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 205
William 178
James 123
Thomas 90
George 86
Samuel 66
Joseph 52
Henry 44
Charles 43
Arthur 23
Herbert 23
Alfred 19
Walter 19
Albert 18
Robert 18
Edward 15
Frederick 15
Edwin 13
Fred 13
Harry 13
Richard 13
Benjamin 12
Frank 11
Thos. 9
Wm. 9
David 8
Ernest 8
Jonathan 7
Isaac 6
Sam 6
Saml. 6
Aaron 5
Abraham 4
Bernard 4
Elias 4
Joshua 4
Mark 4
Matthew 4
Peter 4
Chas. 3
Daniel 3
Geo. 3
Hy. 3
Jas. 3
Luke 3
Percy 3
Sidney 3
Amos 2
Moses 2
Paul 2

FAQ

Renshaw surname: questions and answers

How common was the Renshaw surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,832 people were recorded with the Renshaw surname. That placed it at #1,575 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Renshaw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,775 in 2016. That gives Renshaw a modern rank of #1,788.

What does the Renshaw surname mean?

An English topographic surname denoting someone who lived near a row of houses or buildings, from "rean" meaning "row."

What does the Renshaw map show?

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