UK surname
An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "rich pasture" or "area abounding in rushes."
In the 1881 census there were 114 people recorded with the Richins surname, ranking it #18,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 71, ranked #33,633, down from #18,324 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Burton-on-Trent, Farringdon, Great and Ealing, Chiswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Richins is 150 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 37.7%.
1881 census count
114
Ranked #18,324
Modern count
71
2016, ranked #33,633
Peak year
1861
150 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Richins surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Richins surname density by area, 1881 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 | 113 | #15,815 |
| 1861 | historical | 150 | #15,296 |
| 1881 | historical | 114 | #18,324 |
| 1891 | historical | 72 | #27,804 |
| 1901 | historical | 129 | #19,735 |
| 1911 | historical | 119 | #20,535 |
| 1997 | modern | 68 | #30,810 |
| 1998 | modern | 71 | #30,869 |
| 1999 | modern | 69 | #31,223 |
| 2000 | modern | 66 | #31,553 |
| 2001 | modern | 65 | #31,501 |
| 2002 | modern | 65 | #31,903 |
| 2003 | modern | 63 | #32,152 |
| 2004 | modern | 64 | #32,286 |
| 2005 | modern | 62 | #32,708 |
| 2006 | modern | 64 | #32,839 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 67 | #33,135 |
| 2009 | modern | 66 | #33,538 |
| 2010 | modern | 65 | #33,863 |
| 2011 | modern | 66 | #33,768 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 64 | #34,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 67 | #33,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 71 | #33,633 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Burton-on-Trent, Farringdon, Great, Ealing, Chiswick, Marston Maisey and Sparsholt. 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 | Burton-on-Trent | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Farringdon, Great | Berkshire |
| 3 | Ealing, Chiswick | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | Marston Maisey | Gloucestershire |
| 5 | Sparsholt | Berkshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Richins 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 Richins, 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 Richins surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Richins 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, Richins 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 Richins is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Richins, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname RICHINS originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words 'ric' meaning rich or powerful, and 'hine' meaning servant or retainer. This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who was a servant or attendant of a wealthy individual or noble.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire from 1208, which mentions a Robert Richus. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also list a William Rychyn in Oxfordshire. These early spellings indicate the name's evolution over time.
The RICHINS name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the counties of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Northamptonshire. It is possible that the name may have originated from a place name that no longer exists or has been lost to history.
In the 14th century, a notable individual named John Richins was recorded as a member of the Guild of Weavers in the city of Oxford. This suggests that the RICHINS family may have been involved in the textile trade during this period.
Another notable figure bearing this surname was Thomas Richins, who was born in 1586 in Buckinghamshire. He served as a member of the English Parliament during the reign of King Charles I and was known for his support of the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War.
In the 17th century, a man named William Richins was born in Oxfordshire in 1612. He was a prominent landowner and served as a Justice of the Peace in his local community.
During the 18th century, a woman named Elizabeth Richins, born in 1743 in Northamptonshire, gained recognition for her work as a midwife and herbalist. She was known for her extensive knowledge of traditional remedies and helped deliver countless babies in her local area.
Another individual of note was John Richins, born in 1789 in Buckinghamshire. He was a successful farmer and landowner, and his family played a significant role in the agricultural development of the region during the 19th century.
While the RICHINS surname may have originated from humble beginnings as servants or attendants, it is clear that over the centuries, individuals bearing this name have made their mark in various fields, from politics and law to agriculture and medicine.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Richins 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. Middlesex leads with 29 Richins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.61x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 29 | 2.61x |
| Wiltshire | 28 | 28.48x |
| Gloucestershire | 21 | 9.63x |
| Berkshire | 12 | 14.38x |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 0.64x |
| Brecknockshire | 3 | 13.49x |
| Dorset | 2 | 2.74x |
| Glamorgan | 2 | 1.03x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.12x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.07x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 1.38x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.30x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.24x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 0.96x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ealing in Middlesex leads with 19 Richins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 191.15x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Ealing | 19 | 191.15x |
| Wanborough | 14 | 4117.65x |
| Great Faringdon | 12 | 1000.00x |
| Painswick | 10 | 649.35x |
| Hillmarton | 8 | 3333.33x |
| Marske In Guisbrough | 7 | 357.14x |
| Broadwell | 4 | 2666.67x |
| Hammersmith London | 4 | 14.60x |
| Llangunider | 3 | 215.83x |
| Staverton | 3 | 3333.33x |
| Aberdare | 2 | 15.05x |
| Affpuddle | 2 | 1052.63x |
| Calne | 2 | 99.01x |
| Cheltenham | 2 | 11.89x |
| Chiswick | 2 | 32.89x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 3.24x |
| Leigh | 2 | 1818.18x |
| Queen Charlton | 2 | 5000.00x |
| St Botolph Aldgate | 2 | 131.58x |
| Worth | 2 | 147.06x |
| Cranham | 1 | 666.67x |
| Eldersfield | 1 | 434.78x |
| Kings Norton | 1 | 7.68x |
| Maiseyhampton | 1 | 769.23x |
| Minety | 1 | 370.37x |
| Northampton St Giles | 1 | 25.13x |
| Pittington | 1 | 107.53x |
| Preshute | 1 | 166.67x |
| Trevethin | 1 | 13.18x |
| West Bromwich | 1 | 4.65x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Richins 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 Richins 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 Richins households.
FAQ
In 1881, 114 people were recorded with the Richins surname. That placed it at #18,324 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 71 in 2016. That gives Richins a modern rank of #33,633.
An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "rich pasture" or "area abounding in rushes."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Richins 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.