UK surname
An English surname derived from a diminutive of the given name Richard.
In the 1881 census there were 101 people recorded with the Ricket surname, ranking it #19,636 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 18, ranked #36,832, down from #19,636 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Henham and Fen Ditton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ricket is 158 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 82.2%.
1881 census count
101
Ranked #19,636
Modern count
18
2016, ranked #36,832
Peak year
1851
158 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ricket surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ricket 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 | 158 | #12,461 |
| 1861 | historical | 97 | #21,503 |
| 1881 | historical | 101 | #19,636 |
| 1891 | historical | 71 | #27,934 |
| 1901 | historical | 49 | #28,696 |
| 1911 | historical | 44 | #28,454 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 33 | #34,532 |
| 1999 | modern | 31 | #34,821 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 27 | #35,243 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 25 | #35,903 |
| 2007 | modern | 23 | #36,142 |
| 2008 | modern | 22 | #36,281 |
| 2009 | modern | 24 | #36,261 |
| 2010 | modern | 25 | #36,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 18 | #36,723 |
| 2013 | modern | 17 | #36,857 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 18 | #36,832 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Henham, Fen Ditton, Ealing, Chiswick and Llanwyddyn. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Henham | Hertfordshire |
| 3 | Fen Ditton | Cambridgeshire |
| 4 | Ealing, Chiswick | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 5 | Llanwyddyn | Montgomeryshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ricket 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 Ricket, 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 Ricket surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ricket 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, Ricket 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 Ricket is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ricket, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Ricket has its origins in England, tracing back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ricet," which means a rick or stack of hay or corn. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who worked with ricks or lived near a prominent rick.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ricket can be found in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1202, where a John Riket is mentioned. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain references to individuals with the surname Ricket, including Willelmus Riket and Rogerus Riket.
The Ricket surname has connections to various place names in England, such as Rickett's Moor in Bedfordshire and Rickett's Wood in Hertfordshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the Ricket surname who either owned or resided in those areas.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Ricket surname. One such person was Sir Andrew Ricket (1498-1572), a prominent English lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another individual of note was John Ricket (1637-1689), an English Puritan minister and author who published several religious works, including "A Treatise on Christian Perfection" and "The Excellency of a Public Spirit."
In the 18th century, Thomas Ricket (1718-1781) was a renowned English clockmaker and inventor. He is credited with developing the first successful strike train for a clock, which allowed it to strike the hours accurately.
The Ricket surname also has associations with the literary world. Mary Ricket (1770-1841) was an English author and poet who published several works, including "The Wanderer" and "Cottage Annals."
Lastly, Sir Samuel Ricket (1826-1902) was a prominent British politician and industrialist. He served as a Member of Parliament and was instrumental in the development of the coal mining industry in South Wales.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals who have borne the Ricket surname throughout history, highlighting its rich heritage and enduring presence in various spheres of life.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ricket 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 27 Rickets recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 27 | 2.80x |
| Bedfordshire | 13 | 26.01x |
| Essex | 9 | 4.72x |
| Hertfordshire | 9 | 13.52x |
| Staffordshire | 8 | 2.45x |
| Lincolnshire | 6 | 3.89x |
| Nottinghamshire | 6 | 4.61x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.63x |
| Buckinghamshire | 4 | 6.85x |
| Montgomeryshire | 4 | 18.08x |
| Cambridgeshire | 3 | 4.91x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.61x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 0.91x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.21x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chalgrave in Bedfordshire leads with 13 Rickets recorded in 1881 and an index of 4482.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Chalgrave | 13 | 4482.76x |
| Ealing | 11 | 127.46x |
| Wolverhampton | 8 | 31.92x |
| Chelsea London | 7 | 24.06x |
| Abbots Langley | 6 | 606.06x |
| Southwell | 5 | 526.32x |
| Silk Willoughby | 4 | 4444.44x |
| Bishop Stortford | 3 | 135.14x |
| Clerkenwell London | 3 | 13.16x |
| Drayton Beauchamp | 3 | 4285.71x |
| Henham | 3 | 1111.11x |
| Horton In Bradford | 3 | 20.08x |
| Leven | 3 | 1071.43x |
| Llanwddyn | 3 | 2000.00x |
| Roydon | 3 | 1071.43x |
| Fen Ditton | 2 | 909.09x |
| Nazeing | 2 | 833.33x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 3.88x |
| All Saints Cambridge | 1 | 232.56x |
| Barlings | 1 | 666.67x |
| Bromley London | 1 | 4.71x |
| Chipping Ongar | 1 | 303.03x |
| Croydon | 1 | 3.83x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 6.65x |
| Hougham | 1 | 51.02x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 6.56x |
| Mylor | 1 | 136.99x |
| Newark Upon Trent | 1 | 21.37x |
| Pennant | 1 | 400.00x |
| Scotter | 1 | 285.71x |
| St Gabriel Fenchurch | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Stone In Dartford | 1 | 117.65x |
| West Wycombe | 1 | 126.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ricket 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 Ricket 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 Ricket households.
FAQ
In 1881, 101 people were recorded with the Ricket surname. That placed it at #19,636 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 18 in 2016. That gives Ricket a modern rank of #36,832.
An English surname derived from a diminutive of the given name Richard.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ricket 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.