UK surname
A patronymic surname derived from the given name Ren, a diminutive of Rennard.
In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Renson surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 35, ranked #35,703, down from #32,243 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Hessett and Bradfield St George. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Renson is 137 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 250.0%.
1881 census count
10
Ranked #32,243
Modern count
35
2016, ranked #35,703
Peak year
1861
137 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Renson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Renson surname density by area, 1891 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 | 89 | #18,446 |
| 1861 | historical | 137 | #16,465 |
| 1881 | historical | 10 | #32,243 |
| 1891 | historical | 121 | #21,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 43 | #29,380 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 24 | #35,376 |
| 1998 | modern | 25 | #35,365 |
| 1999 | modern | 26 | #35,320 |
| 2000 | modern | 30 | #34,885 |
| 2001 | modern | 31 | #34,648 |
| 2002 | modern | 33 | #34,717 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 32 | #35,019 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 35 | #35,191 |
| 2007 | modern | 30 | #35,661 |
| 2008 | modern | 30 | #35,736 |
| 2009 | modern | 28 | #35,988 |
| 2010 | modern | 34 | #35,730 |
| 2011 | modern | 34 | #35,705 |
| 2012 | modern | 39 | #35,415 |
| 2013 | modern | 41 | #35,384 |
| 2014 | modern | 42 | #35,350 |
| 2015 | modern | 39 | #35,472 |
| 2016 | modern | 35 | #35,703 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Hessett, Bradfield St George, Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall and Batley. 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 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Hessett | Suffolk |
| 3 | Bradfield St George | Suffolk |
| 4 | Knaresborough (Bilton and Harrogate, Scriven with Tentergate, Knaresborough), Pannall | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Batley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Renson 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 Renson, 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 Renson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Renson 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, Renson 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 Renson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Renson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Renson has its origins in the northwestern European region, with its earliest records found in England and Normandy, France. It is believed to be derived from the Old French personal name "Renson," a diminutive form of the Germanic name "Rennard" or "Reinhard," which means "strong in counsel" or "brave counselor."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Renson can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Reinardus" in Hampshire, England. This record suggests that the surname may have been introduced to England by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
In the 13th century, the name Renson appeared in various forms, such as "Reneson," "Reynson," and "Renneson," in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. This indicates the widespread distribution of the name across different regions.
One notable bearer of the Renson surname was William Renson, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in Lincolnshire, England, in the 14th century. Records show that he held significant property and was involved in local affairs.
Another prominent figure was John Renson, born around 1520 in Yorkshire, England. He was a influential clergyman and served as the Dean of Winchester Cathedral from 1569 until his death in 1592.
In the 16th century, the Renson surname was also found in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Angus and Fife. One such individual was James Renson, born in Angus in 1568, who became a respected scholar and theologian.
The surname Renson has also been associated with various place names, such as Rensonby in Yorkshire, which may have derived its name from an early bearer of the surname Renson.
Other notable individuals with the Renson surname include Sir Thomas Renson (1615-1678), an English politician and landowner from Lincolnshire, and William Renson (1779-1857), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.
While the surname Renson is not as common today as it once was, it remains a part of the rich tapestry of European surnames, carrying with it a history that spans centuries and numerous regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Renson 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. Staffordshire leads with 3 Rensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.14x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Staffordshire | 3 | 9.14x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 15.75x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 3.18x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.87x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 6.68x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 6.91x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 1.04x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Trentham in Staffordshire leads with 3 Rensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1071.43x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Trentham | 3 | 1071.43x |
| Govan | 1 | 12.85x |
| Great Yarmouth | 1 | 80.65x |
| Huddersfield | 1 | 71.43x |
| North Shields | 1 | 344.83x |
| Pilling | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Redditch | 1 | 384.62x |
| Stourbridge | 1 | 303.03x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Renson 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 Renson 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 Renson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Laundress | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Green Grocer | 1 |
| House Keeper Dom | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Mate | 1 |
| Sailor | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Renson surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 35 in 2016. That gives Renson a modern rank of #35,703.
A patronymic surname derived from the given name Ren, a diminutive of Rennard.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Renson 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.