NameCensus.

UK surname

Richens

An English surname derived from the personal name Richard, meaning powerful or rich.

In the 1881 census there were 585 people recorded with the Richens surname, ranking it #5,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 908, ranked #6,264, down from #5,965 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Swindon, Lyddington and Isleworth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Berkshire, Vale of White Horse and North Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Richens is 987 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.2%.

1881 census count

585

Ranked #5,965

Modern count

908

2016, ranked #6,264

Peak year

1999

987 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Richens had 585 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,965 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 908 in 2016, ranked #6,264.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 753 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Richens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Richens surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Richens 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 314 #7,361
1861 historical 290 #8,686
1881 historical 585 #5,965
1891 historical 629 #6,149
1901 historical 701 #6,281
1911 historical 753 #5,722
1997 modern 881 #6,068
1998 modern 965 #5,842
1999 modern 987 #5,772
2000 modern 977 #5,803
2001 modern 956 #5,791
2002 modern 946 #5,947
2003 modern 940 #5,882
2004 modern 955 #5,822
2005 modern 931 #5,874
2006 modern 908 #6,005
2007 modern 904 #6,067
2008 modern 897 #6,145
2009 modern 919 #6,154
2010 modern 936 #6,190
2011 modern 912 #6,267
2012 modern 902 #6,239
2013 modern 916 #6,264
2014 modern 928 #6,240
2015 modern 925 #6,198
2016 modern 908 #6,264

Geography

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Where Richens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Swindon, Lyddington, Isleworth, Farringdon, Great and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Berkshire, Vale of White Horse, North Dorset, West Oxfordshire and Oxford. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
3 Isleworth Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
4 Farringdon, Great Berkshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Berkshire 010 West Berkshire
2 Vale of White Horse 009 Vale of White Horse
3 North Dorset 003 North Dorset
4 West Oxfordshire 014 West Oxfordshire
5 Oxford 005 Oxford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Richens

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Richens

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Richens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Richens 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Richens is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Richens is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Richens 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 Richens 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 Richens, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Richens

The surname Richens is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "ricca," which means "powerful" or "wealthy." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who was affluent or held a position of authority.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named Richard le Riche is mentioned. This spelling variation, "le Riche," provides insight into the name's evolution over time.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Ryche, Riche, and Rych. These variations were likely a result of regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling during that period.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of land ownership in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Richens. However, it does mention individuals with the name Riche or similar spellings, indicating that the name was present during the Norman period.

One notable historical figure with the surname Richens was Sir Thomas Richens (1605-1678), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. He played a role in the English Civil War and was a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause.

Another individual of note was John Richens (1649-1712), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "A Treatise on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper."

In the 18th century, the name Richens appeared in various places across England, including Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Oxfordshire. One notable individual from this period was Richard Richens (1720-1798), a prominent architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Gloucestershire.

Moving into the 19th century, the name Richens was associated with notable figures such as Reverend William Richens (1801-1878), a clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Bredwardine in Herefordshire.

Lastly, one of the more recent individuals with the surname Richens was Arthur Richens (1859-1945), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Piccadilly Hotel and the former headquarters of the Royal Automobile Club.

While the surname Richens may not be among the most common in England, its rich history and varied spellings over the centuries provide insight into the country's linguistic and cultural evolution.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Richens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Richens 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. Wiltshire leads with 170 Richens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.86x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 170 33.86x
Berkshire 106 24.87x
Middlesex 68 1.20x
Surrey 60 2.17x
Gloucestershire 59 5.30x
Kent 24 1.24x
Oxfordshire 19 5.42x
Hampshire 12 1.03x
Carmarthenshire 10 4.18x
Essex 10 0.89x
Buckinghamshire 9 2.62x
Cornwall 9 1.40x
Yorkshire 9 0.16x
Somerset 7 0.77x
Northumberland 4 0.47x
Sussex 2 0.21x
Devon 1 0.08x
Dorset 1 0.27x
Lancashire 1 0.01x
Royal Navy 1 1.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Calne in Wiltshire leads with 25 Richens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 241.78x.

Place Total Index
Calne 25 241.78x
Swindon 23 59.07x
Kingston Lisle 21 3181.82x
Purton 21 469.80x
Down Ampney 20 2985.07x
Isleworth 18 71.32x
Cricklade St Sampson 15 641.03x
Battersea 12 5.74x
Great Faringdon 12 196.08x
Hungerford 11 190.97x
Lewisham 10 9.68x
Llandyfeisant 10 2631.58x
Marston Maisey 10 2777.78x
Shrivenham 10 473.93x
Bristol St Nicholas 9 450.00x
Chalk 9 1343.28x
Elmstone Hardwick 9 1451.61x
West Ham 9 3.64x
Acton 8 24.04x
Lambourn 8 189.57x
St Ives 8 63.59x
West Shefford 8 851.06x
Ashbury 7 526.32x
Bensington 7 312.50x
Burghclere 7 472.97x
Emberton 7 560.00x
Eston 7 57.14x
Highworth 7 109.03x
Mitcham 7 40.05x
Preshute 7 226.54x
Shoreditch London 7 2.84x
Ealing 6 11.83x
Harwell 6 382.17x
Kelmscot 6 3000.00x
Lambeth 6 1.21x
Mortlake 6 48.66x
Newington 6 2.86x
Stratton St Margaret 6 77.92x
Wootton Bassett 6 137.30x
Yatton Keynell 6 588.24x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.03x
Bishopstone 5 209.21x
Bristol St Augustine 5 27.82x
Coates 5 549.45x
Heston 5 26.53x
Islington London 5 0.91x
Liddiard Millicent 5 290.70x
Liddiard Tregooze 5 390.63x
Pangbourn 5 347.22x
Reigate Borough 5 78.37x
Welford 5 273.22x
Barnes 4 34.19x
Bedminster 4 4.66x
Bullington 4 1290.32x
Lower Halstow 4 283.69x
Newcastle On Tyne St 4 9.14x
Rodbourne Cheney 4 103.09x
Carshalton 3 28.33x
Croydon 3 1.95x
Ewelme 3 258.62x
Froxfield 3 352.94x
Latton 3 588.24x
Little Bedwyn 3 306.12x
White Waltham 3 187.50x
Wroughton 3 68.97x
Ashford 2 44.54x
Ashton Keynes 2 106.95x
Bermondsey 2 1.18x
Brampton Bierlow 2 27.78x
Chilton 2 370.37x
Compton Beauchamp 2 869.57x
Farmborough 2 121.95x
Great Somerford 2 186.92x
Keymer 2 29.59x
Mile End Old Town 2 2.23x
Penge 2 5.52x
Speen 2 28.69x
St Martin In Fields 2 5.88x
Upton Cum Chalvey 2 14.62x
Westwood 2 192.31x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 32
John 26
Henry 21
Thomas 20
Charles 19
George 17
James 16
Frederick 12
Robert 10
Albert 9
Arthur 8
Edward 8
Alfred 7
Edwin 7
Joseph 7
Francis 4
Frank 4
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Jesse 3
Richard 3
Walter 3
Daniel 2
Osmond 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Cornelius 1
David 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Emiley 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.T. 1
Geo.Wm. 1
Hartey 1
Isaac 1
Job 1
Leonard 1
Mark 1
Philip 1
Ralph 1
Reginald 1
Robt. 1
Roger 1
Sidney 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Richens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Richens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 585 people were recorded with the Richens surname. That placed it at #5,965 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Richens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 908 in 2016. That gives Richens a modern rank of #6,264.

What does the Richens surname mean?

An English surname derived from the personal name Richard, meaning powerful or rich.

What does the Richens map show?

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