NameCensus.

UK surname

Riddel

An English surname derived from the Middle English "ridel", meaning a riddle or conundrum.

In the 1881 census there were 453 people recorded with the Riddel surname, ranking it #7,289 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 119, ranked #27,704, down from #7,289 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Cluny, Auchterless and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, East Lindsey and Insch, Oyne and Ythanwells.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Riddel is 510 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 73.7%.

1881 census count

453

Ranked #7,289

Modern count

119

2016, ranked #27,704

Peak year

1861

510 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Riddel had 453 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,289 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016, ranked #27,704.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 510 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Riddel surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Riddel surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Riddel 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 473 #5,259
1861 historical 510 #5,127
1881 historical 453 #7,289
1891 historical 408 #8,733
1901 historical 282 #12,145
1911 historical 57 #27,099
1997 modern 99 #27,039
1998 modern 105 #26,822
1999 modern 100 #27,757
2000 modern 101 #27,555
2001 modern 96 #27,976
2002 modern 107 #26,849
2003 modern 101 #27,561
2004 modern 98 #28,297
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 111 #26,565
2007 modern 106 #27,722
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 119 #26,637
2010 modern 119 #27,250
2011 modern 118 #27,192
2012 modern 113 #28,016
2013 modern 116 #27,992
2014 modern 118 #27,961
2015 modern 125 #26,808
2016 modern 119 #27,704

Geography

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Where Riddels are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Cluny, Auchterless, Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, East Lindsey, Insch, Oyne and Ythanwells and Muirhouse. 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 Cluny Aberdeen
2 Auchterless Aberdeen
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 071 Cornwall
2 East Lindsey 007 East Lindsey
3 East Lindsey 011 East Lindsey
4 Insch, Oyne and Ythanwells Aberdeenshire
5 Muirhouse City of Edinburgh

Forenames

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First names often paired with Riddel

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Riddel

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Riddel, 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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Riddel surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Riddel household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Riddel is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Riddel is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Riddel falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Riddel

The surname RIDDEL originated in the Scottish Lowlands, specifically in the regions of Roxburghshire and Berwickshire. It is derived from the Old English word "ridel," meaning a strip of land or a small stream. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 12th century.

One of the earliest recorded references to the RIDDEL surname can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which document Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. In these rolls, the name appears as "Ridel" and "Rydel."

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the RIDDEL family held lands and estates in the Scottish Borders region, particularly in the areas of Riddell, Whitton, and Lilliesleaf. The name is believed to be associated with the village of Riddell, located in Roxburghshire, which may have been derived from the Old English "ridel" or the Old Norse "rydja," meaning to clear land.

Notable individuals bearing the RIDDEL surname include Sir Walter Riddell (1595-1672), a Scottish landowner and Royalist during the English Civil War. Another prominent figure was Sir John Riddell (1785-1862), a Scottish antiquarian and author who wrote extensively about Scottish history and genealogy.

In the 16th century, the RIDDEL family established branches in Ireland, particularly in County Antrim. One notable Irish bearer of the name was Sir Samuel Riddell (1804-1855), a British army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War.

The RIDDEL surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Riddell's Bay in Newfoundland, Canada, and Riddelstorp in Sweden, which may have connections to the family's origins or settlements.

Throughout history, the RIDDEL surname has been recorded with various spellings, including Riddell, Riddle, Rydel, and Riddal, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and regional influences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Riddel families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Riddel 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 216 Riddels recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.66x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 216 52.66x
Lancashire 41 0.78x
Roxburghshire 31 38.64x
Midlothian 29 4.89x
Ayrshire 20 6.03x
Lanarkshire 15 1.05x
Angus 14 3.41x
Northumberland 14 2.12x
Middlesex 13 0.29x
Banffshire 10 10.89x
Selkirkshire 10 24.96x
Hampshire 7 0.77x
Essex 6 0.69x
Monmouthshire 6 1.87x
Yorkshire 4 0.09x
Nairnshire 3 22.19x
Renfrewshire 3 0.87x
Inverness-shire 2 1.51x
Morayshire 2 2.91x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.36x
Dumfriesshire 1 1.02x
Kent 1 0.07x
Kincardineshire 1 1.85x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 1.56x
Royal Navy 1 1.90x
Stirlingshire 1 0.61x
Surrey 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leochel Cushnie in Aberdeenshire leads with 20 Riddels recorded in 1881 and an index of 1081.08x.

Place Total Index
Leochel Cushnie 20 1081.08x
Rhynie 20 1169.59x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 19 7.96x
Aberdeen Old Machar 16 18.69x
Chapel Of Garioch 12 410.96x
Cluny 12 609.14x
Auchterless 11 337.42x
Chorlton On Medlock 11 13.18x
Kildrummy 10 1000.00x
Selkirk 10 88.57x
Strathdon 10 502.51x
Govan 9 2.54x
North Seaton 9 326.09x
Sprouston 9 576.92x
Withington 9 53.16x
Coull 8 661.16x
Pitsligo 8 204.08x
Widnes 8 21.11x
Auchindoir Kearn 7 304.35x
Fyvie 7 104.63x
Inveresk 7 43.59x
New Cumnock 7 121.74x
Southampton St Mary 7 12.26x
Westminster St 7 42.87x
Kelso 6 75.09x
Liff Benvie 6 9.63x
New Deer 6 80.86x
St Vigeans 6 27.09x
Keithhall 5 373.13x
Kilbirnie 5 62.81x
Kilmarnock 5 12.67x
Premnay 5 354.61x
Trevethin 5 16.54x
West Ham 5 2.59x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 4 5.21x
Aboyne 4 185.19x
Bothal Demesne 4 126.98x
Bury 4 6.66x
Crathie Braemar 4 163.27x
Gamrie 4 38.99x
Glengairn 4 1904.76x
Hawsker Cum Stainsacre 4 273.97x
Kintore 4 112.36x
Lesmahagow 4 26.40x
Manchester 4 1.69x
Oyne 4 273.97x
Tyrie 4 77.67x
Wilton 4 45.45x
Aberdour 3 92.88x
Banff 3 37.59x
Blackley 3 32.57x
Bromley London 3 3.08x
Gartly 3 222.22x
Hawick 3 16.71x
Huntly 3 44.98x
Jedburgh 3 38.17x
Monymusk 3 170.45x
Nairn 3 36.59x
Ashkirk 2 263.16x
Bothwell 2 5.15x
Culsalmond 2 158.73x
Dalry 2 12.82x
Duthil 2 79.37x
Hulme 2 1.82x
New Machar 2 86.96x
Paddington London 2 1.23x
Towie 2 173.91x
Aberystruth 1 3.54x
Boharm 1 55.25x
Castleton 1 28.99x
Caterham 1 10.48x
Cathcart 1 5.39x
Echt 1 50.51x
Edinburgh High Church 1 26.88x
Liberton 1 10.92x
Lumphanan 1 58.14x
Midmar 1 63.29x
Monquhitter 1 23.53x
Royal Navy 1 2.22x
Teviothead 1 135.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Jane 5
Alice 3
Annie 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Caroline 2
Emily 2
Margaret 2
Alison 1
Bertha 1
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Elsy 1
Flor. 1
Hannah 1
Hilda 1
Janet 1
Letitia 1
Louisa 1
Maggie 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Nellie 1
Nora 1
P.Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 6
William 6
John 5
George 3
James 3
Matthew 3
Robert 3
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Harry 2
Thomas 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Alelandea 1
Alexander 1
Arnold 1
Arthur 1
Daniel 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Henry 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Riddel surname: questions and answers

How common was the Riddel surname in 1881?

In 1881, 453 people were recorded with the Riddel surname. That placed it at #7,289 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Riddel surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 119 in 2016. That gives Riddel a modern rank of #27,704.

What does the Riddel surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Middle English "ridel", meaning a riddle or conundrum.

What does the Riddel map show?

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