NameCensus.

UK surname

Ridd

A surname derived from a word meaning "to clear land" or "to rid areas of trees or shrubs."

In the 1881 census there were 501 people recorded with the Ridd surname, ranking it #6,766 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 549, ranked #9,292, down from #6,766 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton and Cardiff St John and St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, Swansea and Mid Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ridd is 751 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.6%.

1881 census count

501

Ranked #6,766

Modern count

549

2016, ranked #9,292

Peak year

1891

751 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ridd had 501 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,766 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 549 in 2016, ranked #9,292.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 751 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ridd surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ridd surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ridd 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 425 #5,746
1861 historical 598 #4,432
1881 historical 501 #6,766
1891 historical 751 #5,305
1901 historical 656 #6,592
1911 historical 749 #5,747
1997 modern 554 #8,610
1998 modern 586 #8,527
1999 modern 583 #8,605
2000 modern 592 #8,497
2001 modern 565 #8,627
2002 modern 584 #8,598
2003 modern 555 #8,783
2004 modern 551 #8,845
2005 modern 556 #8,720
2006 modern 552 #8,786
2007 modern 571 #8,665
2008 modern 565 #8,780
2009 modern 566 #8,969
2010 modern 565 #9,167
2011 modern 558 #9,152
2012 modern 555 #9,103
2013 modern 560 #9,196
2014 modern 562 #9,226
2015 modern 558 #9,193
2016 modern 549 #9,292

Geography

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Where Ridds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, Cardiff St John and St Mary, Swansea and Pilton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, Swansea and Mid Devon. 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 Bratton Fleming Devon
2 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
3 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire
4 Swansea Glamorganshire
5 Pilton Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 013 North Devon
2 North Devon 008 North Devon
3 North Devon 006 North Devon
4 Swansea 019 Swansea
5 Mid Devon 009 Mid Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ridd

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ridd

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ridd, 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 Ridd surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Ridd 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Ridd is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ridd is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ridd falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ridd 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 Ridd, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ridd

The surname RIDD is of English origin, derived from a locational name for someone who lived near a reedy place or by a stream. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "ridd," meaning a small watercourse or clearing.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname RIDD dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Rydde" in the county of Somerset. This suggests that the name was initially concentrated in the southwestern regions of England.

During the 13th century, the surname RIDD appeared in various spellings, including Ryd, Ryde, and Ridde, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time. These early spellings are closely linked to the place names Ryde on the Isle of Wight and Ride in Somerset, further reinforcing the locational origin of the name.

Notable individuals with the surname RIDD throughout history include John Ridd (1570-1637), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Archdeacon of Lewes. Another notable figure was Thomas Ridd (1688-1743), a British merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several almshouses in Bristol.

In the 18th century, the surname RIDD gained further prominence with the birth of Samuel Ridd (1723-1798), a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Bath Assembly Rooms and the Octagon Chapel in Norwich.

During the 19th century, the name RIDD was associated with the literary world through the works of Richard Doddridge Blackmore, whose novel "Lorna Doone" featured a character named John Ridd. This fictional character helped to popularize the surname and associate it with the rugged landscape of Exmoor in Somerset.

Another notable figure was Sir Samuel Ridd (1840-1912), a British businessman and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London and played a significant role in the development of the city's infrastructure during the late Victorian era.

Throughout its history, the surname RIDD has maintained a strong connection to the southwestern regions of England, particularly Somerset and the surrounding areas. While its origins can be traced back to the 11th century, the name continues to endure and carry the echoes of its locational roots, reflecting the rich tapestry of English surnames and their enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ridd families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ridd 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. Devon leads with 279 Ridds recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.70x.

County Total Index
Devon 279 27.70x
Glamorgan 59 7.00x
Middlesex 37 0.76x
Surrey 35 1.48x
Gloucestershire 18 1.90x
Essex 12 1.26x
Monmouthshire 11 3.14x
Staffordshire 8 0.49x
Yorkshire 8 0.17x
Durham 6 0.42x
Derbyshire 5 0.66x
Worcestershire 4 0.63x
Kent 3 0.18x
Lancashire 3 0.05x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.22x
Cheshire 1 0.09x
Cornwall 1 0.18x
Dorset 1 0.31x
Fife 1 0.35x
Hertfordshire 1 0.30x
Shropshire 1 0.24x
Somerset 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barnstaple in Devon leads with 36 Ridds recorded in 1881 and an index of 227.70x.

Place Total Index
Barnstaple 36 227.70x
Pilton 27 813.25x
Challacombe 24 6486.49x
Swansea Town 22 31.85x
Bratton Fleming 18 2068.97x
Bishops Tawton 17 541.40x
Lynton 17 845.77x
George Nympton 16 5000.00x
South Molton 13 235.08x
Bristol St James St Paul 10 31.61x
Ilfracombe 10 96.43x
Southwark St George Martyr 10 10.27x
St Woollos 10 25.62x
Lambeth 9 2.13x
Llansamlet Higher 9 143.08x
Romford 9 59.60x
Cardiff St Mary 8 17.24x
Instow 8 733.95x
Margam 8 85.11x
Martinhoe 8 2500.00x
Mile End Old Town 8 10.48x
Stoke Upon Trent 8 4.62x
Countisbury 7 2592.59x
Llandaff 7 24.97x
Battersea 6 3.37x
Oakford 6 731.71x
Sherwill 6 882.35x
South Mimms 6 90.50x
Stockton On Tees 6 8.65x
Woolfardisworthy 6 410.96x
Ashford 5 1851.85x
Bishops Nympton 5 260.42x
Bristol St George 5 11.39x
Buckland West 5 819.67x
Litchurch 5 16.40x
Poplar London 5 5.48x
Thornton In Bradford 5 31.33x
Arlington 4 1052.63x
Bampton 4 129.87x
Chelsea London 4 2.74x
Great Malvern 4 30.35x
Tawstock 4 223.46x
Wimbledon 4 15.11x
Witley 4 240.96x
Charles 3 681.82x
Hackney London 3 1.11x
Northmolton 3 500.00x
Roath 3 7.84x
Stoke Rivers 3 909.09x
Swimbridge 3 147.06x
Chulmleigh 2 87.34x
Clase 2 6.38x
Crediton 2 20.96x
Islington London 2 0.43x
Liverpool 2 0.57x
Plymouth Charles The 2 4.51x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 2.58x
Shoreditch London 2 0.95x
St Pancras London 2 0.51x
Stapleton 2 11.11x
West Ham 2 0.95x
Abbotsham 1 128.21x
Beckenham 1 4.63x
Bengeo 1 25.84x
Bromley London 1 0.94x
Combmartin 1 45.66x
Coulsdon 1 23.31x
Exminster 1 27.62x
Goodleigh 1 243.90x
Kensington London 1 0.37x
Kentisbury 1 172.41x
Much Wenlock 1 25.91x
Newton In Ashton Under 1 9.49x
Prittlewell 1 7.55x
Romansleigh 1 400.00x
St Andrews 1 7.67x
St Just In Penwith 1 9.41x
Tyrie 1 17.79x
Yeovil 1 6.32x
Yetminster 1 84.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 45
Elizabeth 18
Ann 17
Jane 15
Sarah 11
Eliza 9
Ellen 8
Bessie 7
Emily 7
Annie 6
Emma 5
Hannah 5
Alice 4
Lucy 4
Susan 4
Fanny 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Charlotte 2
Dinah 2
Florence 2
Julia 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Prudence 2
Sofia 2
Sophia 2
Thirza 2
Anne 1
Bessiem 1
Christiana 1
Elizbt. 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Etta 1
Eva 1
Evelina 1
Harriet 1
Hart. 1
Kate 1
Kirza 1
Lauria 1
Lavinia 1
Lilly 1
Lorna 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Wilmot 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 44
William 38
Thomas 22
Charles 17
George 14
James 9
Robert 7
Frederick 6
Henry 6
Richard 6
Albert 5
Sidney 5
Arthur 4
Samuel 4
Abraham 3
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Frank 3
Humphrey 3
Joseph 3
Wm. 3
Ambrose 2
Ernest 2
Herbert 2
Philip 2
Aurthur 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edward 1
Eli 1
Elijah 1
Fredk.Willm. 1
Fredrick 1
Fredrk.John 1
Infant 1
Jack 1
Johnathen 1
Joshua 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Mervyn 1
Nicholas 1
Peter 1
Rees 1
Richd.F. 1
Robt. 1
Sydney 1
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Ridd surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ridd surname in 1881?

In 1881, 501 people were recorded with the Ridd surname. That placed it at #6,766 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ridd surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 549 in 2016. That gives Ridd a modern rank of #9,292.

What does the Ridd surname mean?

A surname derived from a word meaning "to clear land" or "to rid areas of trees or shrubs."

What does the Ridd map show?

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