NameCensus.

UK surname

Retallack

A French surname derived from a place name meaning "oak grove or wood".

In the 1881 census there were 167 people recorded with the Retallack surname, ranking it #14,443 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 149, ranked #23,844, down from #14,443 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Keverne, Illogan and St Agnes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Retallack is 246 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.8%.

1881 census count

167

Ranked #14,443

Modern count

149

2016, ranked #23,844

Peak year

1851

246 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Retallack had 167 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,443 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 246 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Retallack surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Retallack surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Retallack 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 246 #8,891
1861 historical 193 #12,371
1881 historical 167 #14,443
1891 historical 195 #15,211
1901 historical 197 #15,272
1911 historical 198 #15,058
1997 modern 145 #21,571
1998 modern 161 #20,754
1999 modern 158 #21,102
2000 modern 155 #21,341
2001 modern 156 #20,974
2002 modern 167 #20,457
2003 modern 164 #20,483
2004 modern 169 #20,206
2005 modern 157 #21,128
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 163 #21,050
2008 modern 160 #21,521
2009 modern 167 #21,383
2010 modern 159 #22,577
2011 modern 162 #22,101
2012 modern 154 #22,870
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 150 #23,864
2015 modern 156 #23,106
2016 modern 149 #23,844

Geography

Back to top

Where Retallacks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Keverne, Illogan, St Agnes, Feock and Roach. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 St Keverne Cornwall
2 Illogan Cornwall
3 St Agnes Cornwall
4 Feock Cornwall
5 Roach Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 073 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 071 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 048 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 035 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 006 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Retallack

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Retallack

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Retallack 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

Retallack is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Retallack falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Retallack 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 Retallack, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Retallack

The surname Retallack has its origins in Cornwall, England, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Cornish words 'ryd' meaning 'ford' and 'tallack' meaning 'at the rugged slope or projecting rock'. This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived near a ford at the base of a rugged slope or rocky outcrop.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Retallack surname can be found in the Cornish parish records from the 16th century. The name was particularly prevalent in the areas around the town of Camborne, which is situated in the mining district of west Cornwall. It is possible that some of the earliest bearers of the name may have been involved in the local tin mining industry.

In the late 17th century, the name appears in the records of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Cornwall. This suggests that some members of the Retallack family were among the early Quakers in the region. One notable Quaker with this surname was John Retallack (1655-1733), a prominent minister and writer who travelled extensively throughout England and Wales preaching and publishing religious works.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Retallack name can be found in various historical records and documents from Cornwall. For example, William Retallack (1781-1858) was a successful mine captain and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the Cornish mining industry.

Another notable figure was John Retallack (1819-1893), a Cornish poet and writer who published several collections of poems and stories inspired by the local landscape and traditions. His works provide valuable insights into the cultural heritage of Cornwall during the Victorian era.

In the late 19th century, the Retallack surname began to spread beyond Cornwall as some family members emigrated to other parts of the United Kingdom and abroad. One such individual was James Retallack (1862-1943), a mining engineer who worked in various locations around the world, including South Africa, Australia, and the United States.

While the Retallack name has its roots in Cornwall, it has since become more widely dispersed, with bearers of the surname found in various parts of the world. However, the name remains closely tied to its Cornish heritage and the rugged landscape that inspired its origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Retallack families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Retallack 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. Cornwall leads with 131 Retallacks recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.03x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 131 71.03x
Staffordshire 11 2.00x
Warwickshire 10 2.43x
Devon 4 1.18x
Lancashire 4 0.21x
Wiltshire 4 2.78x
Cheshire 3 0.83x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camborne in Cornwall leads with 30 Retallacks recorded in 1881 and an index of 394.74x.

Place Total Index
Camborne 30 394.74x
St Keverne 19 1862.75x
Handsworth 11 81.18x
St Agnes 11 426.36x
Mawnan 8 2758.62x
Helston 7 364.58x
Leamington Priors 7 69.24x
Gwinear 5 574.71x
Mevagissey 5 406.50x
Ruan Lanihorne 5 2777.78x
St Enoder 5 793.65x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 13.03x
Falmouth 4 61.26x
Feock 4 347.83x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 15.31x
Swindon 4 35.81x
Wendron 4 156.25x
Aston 3 2.65x
Constantine 3 280.37x
Illogan 3 61.48x
Madron Penzance 3 44.71x
Perranzabuloe 3 188.68x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 3 72.46x
Kenwyn 2 41.49x
Sithney 2 107.53x
Budock 1 71.94x
Crantock 1 526.32x
Gwennap 1 28.74x
Redruth 1 19.16x
St Anthony In Meneage 1 833.33x
St Gluvias 1 97.09x
St Ives 1 27.70x
St Levan 1 303.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 13
Grace 5
Jane 5
Ann 3
Edith 3
Emma 3
Annie 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Susan 2
Ada 1
Bessy 1
Carrie 1
Clara 1
Elizh.M. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Franca 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Joan 1
Katherine 1
Leyetta 1
Lily 1
Lois 1
Lousia 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Margaretta 1
Margt. 1
Marina 1
Marion 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1
Nellie 1
Rebecca 1
Ruth 1
Sarah 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
John 10
James 5
Joseph 4
Charles 3
Edward 3
Henry 3
Richard 3
Thomas 3
Thos. 3
Francis 2
Frederick 2
George 2
Mark 2
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Infant 1
J.J. 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Samu 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Zaccheus 1

FAQ

Retallack surname: questions and answers

How common was the Retallack surname in 1881?

In 1881, 167 people were recorded with the Retallack surname. That placed it at #14,443 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Retallack surname today?

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

What does the Retallack surname mean?

A French surname derived from a place name meaning "oak grove or wood".

What does the Retallack map show?

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