NameCensus.

UK surname

Reoch

A variant of the Scottish surname Rae, derived from a Norse personal name.

In the 1881 census there were 157 people recorded with the Reoch surname, ranking it #15,046 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 149, ranked #23,844, down from #15,046 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Perth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Angus, Darnley East and Bury.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reoch is 244 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.1%.

1881 census count

157

Ranked #15,046

Modern count

149

2016, ranked #23,844

Peak year

1901

244 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • • Reoch had 157 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,046 surname in that year.
  • • The latest modern count shown here is 149 in 2016, ranked #23,844.
  • • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 244 in 1901.
  • • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Map

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Reoch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Reoch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Reoch 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 128 #14,474
1861 historical 155 #14,881
1881 historical 157 #15,046
1891 historical 232 #13,429
1901 historical 244 #13,329
1911 historical 48 #28,006
1997 modern 147 #21,393
1998 modern 143 #22,317
1999 modern 147 #22,110
2000 modern 133 #23,462
2001 modern 127 #23,781
2002 modern 123 #24,735
2003 modern 120 #24,909
2004 modern 121 #24,939
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 130 #24,053
2007 modern 128 #24,632
2008 modern 127 #25,020
2009 modern 138 #24,276
2010 modern 147 #23,809
2011 modern 144 #23,962
2012 modern 140 #24,376
2013 modern 147 #23,977
2014 modern 148 #24,075
2015 modern 153 #23,413
2016 modern 149 #23,844

Geography

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Where Reochs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Perth, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Angus, Darnley East, Bury and Pollokshaws. 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 Edinburgh Edinburgh
2 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
3 Perth Perth
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Angus Angus
2 Darnley East Glasgow City
3 Bury 004 Bury
4 Pollokshaws Glasgow City
5 Bury 008 Bury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Reoch

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

Historical female names

Mary Margaret Elizabeth Jane Jessie Agnes Ann Isabella Helen Annie

Historical male names

James John Alexander William Robert David George Andrew Charles Duncan

Recent female names

Jacqueline Ellen Catriona Jane Stephanie Sally Andrea Christine Dawn Karen

Recent male names

David Alan John William Duncan Robert Michael Gavin Eric Jonathan

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Reoch

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

Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles

Group

European Enclaves

Within London, Reoch is most associated with areas classed as European Enclaves, part of Professional Employment and Family Lifecycles. 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

Many residents of these accessible neighbourhoods have wide-ranging non-UK European origins. Typically residing in privately rented flats, many residents live alone and are beyond normal retirement age. There are more students than elsewhere in the Supergroup, some of which live in communal establishments. Household residents are often drawn from different ethnic groups.

Wider London pattern

These neighbourhoods house people of all ages, predominantly of White British or European extraction. Resident turnover is low. Religious affiliation is less common than average and tends to be Christian if expressed. Homeownership, typically of terraced houses, is common but use of the social rented sector is not. Employment is typically in professional, managerial and associate professional or technical occupations. There are few full-time students. Level 4 qualifications are common. More households lack dependent children than have them which, considered alongside low levels of crowding and over-all age structure, indicates that many households may be post child-rearing and in late middle age. Incidence of disability is low, as is residence in communal establishments.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Reoch 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

Reoch falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Reoch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Reoch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Origin

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Meaning and origin of Reoch

The surname REOCH is of Scottish origin, with its roots traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in the Outer Hebrides region of Scotland, particularly in the Isle of Lewis. The name REOCH is derived from the Gaelic word "riabhach," meaning "brindled" or "greyish," which was likely used as a descriptive term for someone with greyish hair or complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name REOCH can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, dated around 1264, where a person named Gillebride Reoche is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already in use during that time period.

In the 16th century, the REOCH name was associated with the MacLeod clan, one of the most powerful clans in the Hebrides. Historical records show that in 1538, a member of the REOCH family, Donald Reoch, was appointed as the constable of the Castle of Stornoway, which was a significant position of authority and trust within the MacLeod clan.

Another notable figure bearing the REOCH surname was John Reoch, a Scottish minister who lived in the 17th century (1610-1677). He served as the minister of Kiltearn Parish in Ross-shire and was known for his involvement in the religious affairs of the Scottish Reformation.

In the 18th century, the REOCH name appeared in various historical documents related to land ownership and legal proceedings in the Outer Hebrides. One such record from 1748 mentions a Donald Reoch, who was involved in a dispute over the ownership of certain lands in the Isle of Lewis.

Moving into the 19th century, a prominent figure with the REOCH surname was William Reoch (1797-1862), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and politician. He was involved in the timber trade and served as a member of the Legislative Council of the Province of Canada.

Another notable individual was John Reoch (1828-1902), a Scottish-born Australian politician and businessman. He was a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales and played a significant role in the development of the coal mining industry in the Hunter Valley region of Australia.

Throughout its history, the REOCH surname has been associated with various place names in the Outer Hebrides, such as Loch Reoch and Glen Reoch, which further confirms its Scottish origins and strong ties to the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Reoch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reoch 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. Angus leads with 74 Reochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.83x.

County Total Index
Angus 74 51.83x
Perthshire 17 24.58x
Midlothian 15 7.27x
Renfrewshire 14 11.72x
Fife 10 10.96x
Lanarkshire 9 1.81x
Lancashire 7 0.38x
Aberdeenshire 4 2.80x
Dunbartonshire 2 4.83x
Stirlingshire 2 3.52x
Yorkshire 2 0.13x
Banffshire 1 3.13x
Royal Navy 1 5.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 44 Reochs recorded in 1881 and an index of 82.55x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 44 82.55x
Liff Benvie 14 64.61x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 10 12.04x
Montrose 9 104.05x
Cathcart 7 108.36x
Auchtergaven 6 517.24x
Govan 6 4.87x
West Derby 6 11.22x
Eastwood 5 68.03x
North Leith 5 52.36x
Caputh 4 366.97x
Forgan 4 228.57x
Foveran 4 370.37x
Dron 3 1666.67x
Falkland 3 209.79x
Glamis 3 348.84x
Bonhill 2 30.08x
Brechin 2 35.65x
Drymen 2 263.16x
Ecclesall Bierlow 2 6.44x
Glasgow 2 2.26x
Kilconquhar 2 183.49x
Perth West Church 2 60.98x
Abbey 1 5.49x
Barony 1 0.79x
Forfar 1 12.94x
Kinnoull 1 54.95x
Longton 1 129.87x
Neilston 1 16.67x
Perth Middle Church 1 38.46x
Rothiemay 1 138.89x
Royal Navy 1 6.37x
Strathmiglo 1 91.74x
Tealing 1 250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Clara 1
Ellen 1
Katherine 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
David 2
John 2
Henry 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Reoch households.

Occupation Count
Commercl Traveller (Bridle Merchant) 1
Dom Serv 1
Skilsd Shipwright 1
Wine & Spirit Mcht 1

FAQ

Reoch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Reoch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 157 people were recorded with the Reoch surname. That placed it at #15,046 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Reoch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 149 in 2016. That gives Reoch a modern rank of #23,844.

What does the Reoch surname mean?

A variant of the Scottish surname Rae, derived from a Norse personal name.

What does the Reoch map show?

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