NameCensus.

UK surname

Rhule

A surname derived from a Scottish place name or topographic feature.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derby, Birmingham and Newark and Sherwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rhule is 200 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

185

2016, ranked #20,652

Peak year

2010

200 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016, ranked #20,652.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Rhule surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rhule surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rhule 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
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 147 #21,393
1998 modern 155 #21,227
1999 modern 150 #21,826
2000 modern 147 #22,081
2001 modern 146 #21,857
2002 modern 158 #21,178
2003 modern 151 #21,574
2004 modern 158 #21,077
2005 modern 162 #20,716
2006 modern 172 #20,073
2007 modern 183 #19,553
2008 modern 188 #19,387
2009 modern 192 #19,527
2010 modern 200 #19,457
2011 modern 199 #19,346
2012 modern 183 #20,356
2013 modern 193 #19,997
2014 modern 184 #20,809
2015 modern 189 #20,345
2016 modern 185 #20,652

Geography

Back to top

Where Rhules 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 Derby, Birmingham, Newark and Sherwood and Lewisham. 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 Derby 029 Derby
2 Derby 015 Derby
3 Birmingham 040 Birmingham
4 Newark and Sherwood 007 Newark and Sherwood
5 Lewisham 019 Lewisham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rhule

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rhule

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Rhule surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Rhule household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rhule 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

Rhule is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rhule falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rhule 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Rhule

The surname RHULE has its origins in the Scottish Highlands, where it first emerged in the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic words "ruadh" meaning red and "sgiath" meaning wing or shield, indicating that the name may have referred to a red-winged shield bearer or a soldier with a distinctive red shield.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name RHULE can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish landowners who were forced to swear allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Ruadh Sgiath" in this document, suggesting its ancient Gaelic roots.

In the 14th century, the name RHULE was associated with the Clan Donald, one of the most powerful clans in the Scottish Highlands. The clan's territories were centered around the Isles of Islay, Skye, and the Outer Hebrides, where variants of the name such as "Ruadhsgiath" and "Ruadh-Sgeith" were common.

During the 16th century, the RHULE family expanded their influence and landholdings in the Highlands. Notable figures from this period include Angus RHULE (1520-1588), a prominent chieftain and ally of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lachlan RHULE (1562-1632), who served as a trusted advisor to King James VI of Scotland.

In the 17th century, the name RHULE began to spread beyond the Scottish Highlands as family members migrated to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. One such individual was Robert RHULE (1624-1690), a merchant and explorer who established trade routes between Scotland and the American colonies.

As the centuries passed, the RHULE name continued to be associated with Scottish heritage and traditions. In the 19th century, Duncan RHULE (1785-1862) was a renowned bagpiper and composer who helped preserve and popularize Scottish folk music. Another notable figure was Isobel RHULE (1831-1916), a pioneering educator who established one of the first schools for girls in the Highlands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Rhule surname: questions and answers

How common is the Rhule surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016. That gives Rhule a modern rank of #20,652.

What does the Rhule surname mean?

A surname derived from a Scottish place name or topographic feature.

What does the Rhule map show?

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