UK surname
English locational surname derived from Rickford, a location in Hampshire.
In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Rickford surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 60, ranked #34,340, down from #27,721 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Henley-on-Thames, Speen and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rickford is 121 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.9%.
1881 census count
42
Ranked #27,721
Modern count
60
2016, ranked #34,340
Peak year
1861
121 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rickford surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rickford surname density by area, 1861 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 | 49 | #24,448 |
| 1861 | historical | 121 | #18,148 |
| 1881 | historical | 42 | #27,721 |
| 1891 | historical | 96 | #24,559 |
| 1901 | historical | 68 | #26,598 |
| 1911 | historical | 79 | #24,903 |
| 1997 | modern | 55 | #32,114 |
| 1998 | modern | 62 | #31,735 |
| 1999 | modern | 62 | #31,893 |
| 2000 | modern | 67 | #31,473 |
| 2001 | modern | 64 | #31,602 |
| 2002 | modern | 67 | #31,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 66 | #31,879 |
| 2004 | modern | 59 | #32,787 |
| 2005 | modern | 69 | #32,007 |
| 2006 | modern | 69 | #32,343 |
| 2007 | modern | 61 | #33,440 |
| 2008 | modern | 67 | #33,135 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 69 | #33,560 |
| 2011 | modern | 65 | #33,842 |
| 2012 | modern | 58 | #34,404 |
| 2013 | modern | 63 | #34,193 |
| 2014 | modern | 63 | #34,212 |
| 2015 | modern | 62 | #34,233 |
| 2016 | modern | 60 | #34,340 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Henley-on-Thames, Speen, London parishes, Leek and Battersea. 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 | Henley-on-Thames | Oxfordshire |
| 2 | Speen | Berkshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Leek | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rickford 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 Rickford, 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 Rickford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rickford 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, Rickford 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 Rickford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rickford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Rickford is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "ric" meaning rich or powerful, and "ford" referring to a shallow crossing or ford over a river. This suggests that the name initially referred to a prosperous or important settlement located near a ford.
Rickford is believed to have originated in the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire in the West Midlands region of England. Some of the earliest recorded variations of the name include Ricford, Rycford, and Richford, reflecting the phonetic evolution of the spelling over time.
One of the earliest documented mentions of the name Rickford appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, records show a William de Ricford holding land in Gloucestershire, providing evidence of the name's continued presence in the region. By the 14th century, the Rickford family had established themselves as prominent landowners, with John Rickford serving as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in 1376.
Notable figures bearing the Rickford surname include Sir Ralph Rickford (1512-1572), a wealthy landowner and sheriff of Worcestershire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent individual was Sir John Rickford (1647-1721), a successful merchant and Member of Parliament for the City of London in the early 18th century.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Rickford name appeared in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire. One noteworthy bearer was Richard Rickford (1773-1850), a renowned engraver and printmaker who produced intricate illustrations for several notable publications of his time.
In more recent history, Sir Cedric Rickford (1892-1975) was a distinguished British diplomat who served as Ambassador to Argentina and later to Spain during the mid-20th century.
While the Rickford surname may not be among the most common in modern times, its rich history and connections to various regions of England highlight its enduring presence over several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rickford 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 11 Rickfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.69x |
| Surrey | 11 | 5.51x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 4.42x |
| Hampshire | 4 | 4.76x |
| Kent | 3 | 2.15x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.74x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 2.49x |
| Caernarfonshire | 1 | 6.04x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 3.86x |
| Pembrokeshire | 1 | 7.68x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.45x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Battersea in Surrey leads with 7 Rickfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.45x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Battersea | 7 | 46.45x |
| Cheadle | 4 | 231.21x |
| Kensington London | 4 | 17.57x |
| Knights Enham | 4 | 20000.00x |
| Bow London | 3 | 57.58x |
| Bradfield | 3 | 192.31x |
| Deptford St Paul | 3 | 27.83x |
| Kingston On Thames | 3 | 62.63x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 11.27x |
| Tewkesbury | 2 | 277.78x |
| Brighton | 1 | 7.18x |
| Clapham | 1 | 19.53x |
| Llysfaen | 1 | 588.24x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 15.46x |
| Pembroke St Mary | 1 | 59.52x |
| St Andrewthe Great | 1 | 294.12x |
| St Bartholomew Great | 1 | 270.27x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rickford 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 Rickford 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 Rickford households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Auctioneers Clerk | 1 |
| Business | 1 |
| Coal Porter | 1 |
| Compositor | 1 |
| Dom Serv (Cook) | 1 |
| Dresmaker | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Bailiff | 1 |
| Gen Labourer | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Lab Gen | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Railway Carrier (Other) | 1 |
| Retired Officer Army | 1 |
| Shoeing Smith | 1 |
| Shoemaker Labourer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Rickford surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 60 in 2016. That gives Rickford a modern rank of #34,340.
English locational surname derived from Rickford, a location in Hampshire.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rickford 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.