UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "bank" or "shore".
In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Ress surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 24, ranked #36,392, down from #29,646 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ress is 190 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 14.3%.
1881 census count
28
Ranked #29,646
Modern count
24
2016, ranked #36,392
Peak year
1911
190 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ress surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ress surname density by area, 1911 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 | 68 | #21,302 |
| 1861 | historical | 115 | #18,880 |
| 1881 | historical | 28 | #29,646 |
| 1891 | historical | 135 | #19,692 |
| 1901 | historical | 66 | #26,794 |
| 1911 | historical | 190 | #15,438 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 38 | #34,066 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 13 | #36,620 |
| 2004 | modern | 15 | #36,530 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 21 | #36,490 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 25 | #36,314 |
| 2015 | modern | 23 | #36,424 |
| 2016 | modern | 24 | #36,392 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Merthyr Tydfil and St Marylebone. 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 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Merthyr Tydfil | Glamorganshire |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ress 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 Ress, 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 Ress surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ress 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, Ress 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 Ress is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ress, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname RESS has its origins in England, dating back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "hresse," which means "a rush plant" or "sedge." This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname given to someone who worked with rushes or sedges, possibly for weaving or thatching.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire in 1195, where it appears as "Reginald Ress." The name was also present in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, spelled as "Heres."
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Resse," "Res," and "Reys," indicating different regional pronunciations and spellings. One notable bearer of the name during this period was John Ress, a landowner from Hertfordshire, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of 1379.
The surname RESS has been associated with several place names in England, including Ress Farm in Shropshire and Ress Wood in Herefordshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in different regions.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname RESS. One such person was Sir John Ress (1527-1594), a Member of Parliament and landowner from Oxfordshire. Another was Thomas Ress (1608-1673), an English clergyman and writer who authored several religious works.
In the 18th century, John Ress (1718-1804) was a prominent lawyer and judge in Wales, serving as the Chief Justice of the Carmarthen Circuit. William Ress (1772-1836) was a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and achieved the rank of Rear Admiral.
During the 19th century, Robert Ress (1813-1892) was a notable English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
The surname RESS has been found throughout England, with concentrations in counties such as Oxfordshire, Shropshire, and Hertfordshire, reflecting its long history in those regions. While not as common as some other surnames, it has maintained a presence in various parts of the country over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ress 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. Yorkshire leads with 7 Ress' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.59x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 7 | 2.59x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.83x |
| Surrey | 5 | 3.76x |
| Durham | 4 | 4.93x |
| Carmarthenshire | 3 | 26.09x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 6.31x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 5.79x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Attercliffe Cum Darnall in Yorkshire leads with 6 Ress' recorded in 1881 and an index of 238.10x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 6 | 238.10x |
| Kingston On Thames | 5 | 156.74x |
| Cockerton | 4 | 1538.46x |
| Aberdare | 3 | 92.02x |
| Carmarthen St Peter | 3 | 306.12x |
| Hampstead London | 2 | 47.06x |
| Holy Trinity Cambridge | 1 | 526.32x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 28.41x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 6.86x |
| Westminster St | 1 | 99.01x |
| Westminster St John | 1 | 30.12x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ress 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 Ress 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 Ress households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Blacksmith Wife | 1 |
| Bootmaker Master Employs 3 Hands | 1 |
| Clerk In Straw Plait | 1 |
| Cook Domes Serv | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Home Work | 1 |
| Iron Puddler | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer (General) | 1 |
| Pork Butcher | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Wife Of The Above | 1 |
| Wool Spinner (Worsted) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Ress surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 24 in 2016. That gives Ress a modern rank of #36,392.
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "bank" or "shore".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ress 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.