NameCensus.

UK surname

Rhatigan

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Reachtacháin, meaning "descendant of the legislator or lawmaker".

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Rhatigan surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 102, ranked #30,722, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Norfolk, Basingstoke and Deane and Poole.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rhatigan is 106 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1940.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

102

2016, ranked #30,722

Peak year

2009

106 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rhatigan had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016, ranked #30,722.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 19 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Rhatigan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rhatigan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rhatigan 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 19 #31,416
1997 modern 74 #30,218
1998 modern 91 #28,806
1999 modern 100 #27,757
2000 modern 93 #28,701
2001 modern 91 #28,670
2002 modern 87 #29,644
2003 modern 81 #30,311
2004 modern 86 #30,019
2005 modern 88 #29,831
2006 modern 99 #28,453
2007 modern 99 #28,852
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 102 #29,930
2011 modern 102 #29,759
2012 modern 92 #31,528
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 105 #30,204
2015 modern 104 #30,269
2016 modern 102 #30,722

Geography

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Where Rhatigans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Norfolk, Basingstoke and Deane, Poole, Morningside and Craighouse and Oldham. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Norfolk 013 South Norfolk
2 Basingstoke and Deane 004 Basingstoke and Deane
3 Poole 008 Poole
4 Morningside and Craighouse City of Edinburgh
5 Oldham 012 Oldham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rhatigan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rhatigan

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Rhatigan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Rhatigan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rhatigan 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

Rhatigan 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

Rhatigan 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 Rhatigan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Rhatigan

The surname Rhatigan originated in Ireland, with the earliest known examples dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Irish Gaelic word "Rathnigan," which means "ferny land" or "land covered with bracken." This suggests that the name likely originated from a place name or a topographical feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rhatigan can be found in the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, which were administrative records of the English administration in Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries. The name appears in these records with various spellings, such as "Rathnigan," "Ratnigan," and "Rathnigin."

In the 17th century, the name Rhatigan was concentrated in County Sligo, located in the northwestern part of Ireland. This region was known for its rugged landscape and fertile lands, which may have contributed to the origin of the name. During this time, the Rhatigans were prominent landowners and farmers in the area.

One notable figure with the surname Rhatigan was Michael Rhatigan, born in County Sligo in 1789. He was a prominent Irish nationalist and a member of the Society of United Irishmen, which played a significant role in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Rhatigan was imprisoned for his involvement in the rebellion but later released.

Another distinguished individual with the Rhatigan surname was Patrick Rhatigan, born in County Mayo in 1835. He was a prominent Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the mining industry in the United States. Rhatigan donated generously to various causes, including the establishment of schools and hospitals in Ireland.

In the late 19th century, John Rhatigan, born in County Sligo in 1860, emigrated to the United States and became a successful businessman in the construction industry. He was known for his innovative techniques and played a significant role in the development of infrastructure in several major American cities.

The name Rhatigan has also been associated with various place names in Ireland, such as Rhatigan's Townland in County Sligo and Rhatigan's Fort, an ancient fortification located in the same county. These place names further highlight the historical significance of the Rhatigan surname in the region.

Throughout history, the Rhatigan surname has been found in various spellings, including Rathnigan, Ratnigan, Rathnigin, and Rhatigan. These variations are often attributed to the linguistic evolution of the Irish language and the influence of English spelling conventions over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rhatigan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rhatigan 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. Kent leads with 5 Rhatigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.21x.

County Total Index
Kent 5 30.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plumstead in Kent leads with 5 Rhatigans recorded in 1881 and an index of 909.09x.

Place Total Index
Plumstead 5 909.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellene 1
Hannah 1
Katherine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Frederick 1
Patrick 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 Rhatigan households.

FAQ

Rhatigan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rhatigan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Rhatigan surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rhatigan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016. That gives Rhatigan a modern rank of #30,722.

What does the Rhatigan surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Reachtacháin, meaning "descendant of the legislator or lawmaker".

What does the Rhatigan map show?

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