UK surname
A variant of the German surname Ricken, derived from the pet form of Richard.
In the 1881 census there were 31 people recorded with the Rickens surname, ranking it #29,218 among surnames in the records. By 2014, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,020, down from #29,218 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Swindon, Lyddington, Isleworth and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rickens is 136 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 96.8%.
1881 census count
31
Ranked #29,218
Modern count
1
2014, ranked #39,020
Peak year
1911
136 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rickens surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rickens surname density by area, 1911 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 | 12 | #31,134 |
| 1861 | historical | 6 | #33,230 |
| 1881 | historical | 31 | #29,218 |
| 1891 | historical | 22 | #32,449 |
| 1901 | historical | 29 | #30,848 |
| 1911 | historical | 136 | #18,962 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Swindon, Lyddington, Isleworth, London parishes, Bampton (Brighthamton, Shifford, Aston and Cote, Bampton, Weald, Chimney), Witney (Lew), Blackbourto and Stratton. 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 | Swindon, Lyddington | Wiltshire |
| 2 | Isleworth | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Bampton (Brighthamton, Shifford, Aston and Cote, Bampton, Weald, Chimney), Witney (Lew), Blackbourto | Oxfordshire |
| 5 | Stratton | Wiltshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rickens 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 Rickens, 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 Rickens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rickens 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, Rickens 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 Rickens is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rickens, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname RICKENS originates from England, first appearing in records during the early 13th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "ric" meaning rich or powerful, and "en" meaning a meadow or enclosure, suggesting it may have referred to someone who lived near a rich or fertile meadow.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name RICKENS can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1230, where a Robert de Rykene is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also list a William Ryken in Oxfordshire. These early spellings demonstrate the evolution of the name from its Old English origins.
The RICKENS name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire during the medieval period. It is possible that the name may have originated from a specific place name, now lost to history, that incorporated the elements "ric" and "en".
In the 14th century, the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 record a John Rykene, while the Feet of Fines for Surrey from 1347 mention a William Rykene. These records provide evidence of the continued use and spread of the RICKENS name across different regions of England.
One notable bearer of the RICKENS surname was Sir William Rickens (c.1545-1616), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Aylesbury in 1597 and later became the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in 1605. Another prominent individual was John Rickens (1643-1715), an English Dissenting minister and author who wrote several religious works during the late 17th century.
Other historical figures bearing the RICKENS name include Edward Rickens (1652-1719), an English merchant and politician who served as the Mayor of Bristol in 1698, and Thomas Rickens (1683-1744), a British naval officer who commanded several ships during the early 18th century.
While the RICKENS surname may have ancient origins, its presence in various historical records across England demonstrates its enduring legacy and highlights the diverse backgrounds of those who have carried this name throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rickens 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. Kent leads with 7 Rickens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.78x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 7 | 6.78x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 1.98x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.39x |
| Berkshire | 4 | 17.62x |
| Surrey | 4 | 2.72x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 4.22x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 1.90x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.61x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.98x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 5 Rickens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.71x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Everton | 5 | 43.71x |
| Higham | 5 | 3571.43x |
| Harwell | 4 | 5000.00x |
| Islington London | 4 | 13.65x |
| Camberwell | 3 | 15.54x |
| Lewisham | 2 | 36.36x |
| Tibshelf | 2 | 869.57x |
| Ealing | 1 | 37.04x |
| Heston | 1 | 100.00x |
| Sedgley | 1 | 26.39x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 16.45x |
| St Mary Kalendar | 1 | 769.23x |
| Swansea St Thomas | 1 | 188.68x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rickens 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 Rickens 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 Rickens households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Assist Wharehouseman | 1 |
| At Home | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Chairwoman | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Farmer Of 100 Acres Employing 3 Men 2 Boys | 1 |
| Farmers Daur | 1 |
| Farmers Son | 1 |
| Farmers Wife | 1 |
| Foreman Engine Drivers | 1 |
| Green Grocer | 1 |
| Green Grocer Wife | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Inmate Of Home | 1 |
| Labourer (General) | 1 |
| Private School Mis | 1 |
| Seaman Interpreter | 1 |
| Stonemason | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 31 people were recorded with the Rickens surname. That placed it at #29,218 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2014. That gives Rickens a modern rank of #39,020.
A variant of the German surname Ricken, derived from the pet form of Richard.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rickens 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.