NameCensus.

UK surname

Risdon

A locational surname derived from the town of Risdon in Somerset, England.

In the 1881 census there were 294 people recorded with the Risdon surname, ranking it #9,859 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 264, ranked #16,172, down from #9,859 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Bradford and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Risdon is 404 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.2%.

1881 census count

294

Ranked #9,859

Modern count

264

2016, ranked #16,172

Peak year

1911

404 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Risdon had 294 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,859 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 264 in 2016, ranked #16,172.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 404 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Risdon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Risdon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Risdon 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 237 #9,152
1861 historical 215 #11,316
1881 historical 294 #9,859
1891 historical 354 #9,741
1901 historical 368 #10,057
1911 historical 404 #9,221
1997 modern 290 #13,832
1998 modern 292 #14,120
1999 modern 284 #14,474
2000 modern 294 #14,105
2001 modern 292 #13,967
2002 modern 297 #14,081
2003 modern 291 #14,100
2004 modern 281 #14,489
2005 modern 274 #14,663
2006 modern 265 #15,126
2007 modern 259 #15,519
2008 modern 262 #15,550
2009 modern 275 #15,349
2010 modern 285 #15,276
2011 modern 271 #15,708
2012 modern 259 #16,126
2013 modern 261 #16,309
2014 modern 268 #16,111
2015 modern 264 #16,186
2016 modern 264 #16,172

Geography

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Where Risdons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford, Lambeth and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Bradford, West Devon 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Decuman, Nettlecombe, Old Cleeve, Kilton, Lilstock, Dodington, Stringston, Holford Somerset
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 002 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
3 Bradford 040 Bradford
4 West Devon 001 West Devon
5 Mid Devon 003 Mid Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Risdon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Risdon

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Risdon is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Risdon 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

Risdon falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Risdon

The surname Risdon is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the county of Devon. It is derived from the Old English words "hrīs" meaning "brushwood" or "underwood" and "dun" meaning "hill" or "down." The name likely referred to a location or settlement situated on a hill covered with brushwood or underwood.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Risdon name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Risdone." This ancient record suggests that the name was already established in Devon by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 13th century, the Risdon family possessed lands in the parish of Parkham, near Bideford in Devon. A notable member of the family from this era was Sir Giles Risdon (born circa 1270), who served as a knight and landowner.

During the Renaissance period, the Risdon family produced several notable figures. William Risdon (1560-1640) was a historian and author of the "Survey of Devon," a valuable chronicle of the county's history and geography. His cousin, Tristram Risdon (1580-1640), was also a writer and author of the manuscript "The Chorographical Description or Survey of the County of Devon."

In the 17th century, Edward Risdon (1618-1684) was a prominent member of the Risdon family. He served as a Member of Parliament for Bideford and was involved in local politics and governance.

Another distinguished individual with the Risdon surname was Sir William Risdon (1650-1726), who served as a justice of the peace and Member of Parliament for Bideford in the early 18th century.

Throughout the centuries, the Risdon name has been associated with various places in Devon, such as Risdon Park, Risdon Farm, and the village of Risdon. These place names reflect the surname's origins and the family's historical ties to the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Risdon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Risdon 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 105 Risdons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.59x.

County Total Index
Devon 105 17.59x
Surrey 44 3.15x
Somerset 41 8.88x
Cornwall 34 10.47x
Middlesex 25 0.87x
Yorkshire 17 0.60x
Warwickshire 8 1.11x
Wiltshire 5 1.97x
Sussex 4 0.83x
Gloucestershire 3 0.53x
Kent 3 0.31x
Dorset 2 1.06x
Hampshire 1 0.17x
Herefordshire 1 0.85x
Lanarkshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 21 Risdons recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.66x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 21 45.66x
Lambeth 19 7.60x
Exeter St Sidwell 13 95.10x
North Tamerton 11 2340.43x
Battersea 9 8.53x
Old Cleeve 9 545.45x
St Winnow 9 810.81x
Hatherleigh 8 536.91x
Manningham 8 22.85x
Stogumber 8 655.74x
Kingston On Thames 7 20.85x
Launcells 7 1272.73x
Stoke Damerel 7 16.75x
Aston 6 3.01x
Bradford 6 8.72x
Camberwell 6 3.28x
Holsworthy 6 357.14x
St Marylebone London 6 3.92x
Wolborough 6 79.47x
Black Torrington 5 581.40x
Crediton 5 88.34x
Dolton 5 675.68x
Halwell 5 769.23x
Monk Okehampton 5 2380.95x
Stogursey 5 403.23x
Taunton St Mary 5 59.03x
Calstock 4 62.79x
Dunster 4 360.36x
Kingston By Sea 4 519.48x
Marlborough St Peter St 4 307.69x
Bethnal Green London 3 2.41x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 5.66x
Exeter St Edmund 3 232.56x
Hammersmith London 3 4.25x
Shipley 3 20.34x
St Pancras London 3 1.30x
Stringston 3 2727.27x
Tormoham 3 11.88x
Birmingham 2 0.83x
Bridgerule West 2 869.57x
Fulham London 2 4.81x
Lyme Regis 2 88.89x
Pancrasweek 2 625.00x
Richmond 2 10.21x
St George Hanover 2 5.34x
Westminster St 2 18.92x
Barony 1 0.43x
Bedminster 1 2.31x
Bideford 1 15.65x
Birchington 1 72.99x
Bishops Tawton 1 53.76x
Bradninch 1 59.52x
Cardynham 1 370.37x
Charterhouse London 1 74.07x
Chippenham 1 18.80x
Clist St Mary 1 555.56x
Colebrooke 1 142.86x
Cullompton 1 38.31x
Foots Cray 1 53.48x
Greenwich 1 2.19x
Hackney London 1 0.62x
Hereford St Nicholas 1 62.50x
Kensington London 1 0.63x
Laira 1 714.29x
Lamerton 1 88.50x
Liskeard 1 18.42x
Newington 1 0.94x
St Margaret Lothbury 1 833.33x
Staplegrove 1 178.57x
Stratton 1 56.82x
Walcot 1 4.07x
Warblington 1 42.92x
Wellington 1 15.97x
Wells St Cuthbert In 1 140.85x
West Teignmouth 1 21.88x
Weston Super Mare 1 8.58x
Williton 1 64.52x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 35
Elizabeth 11
Ellen 9
Emily 6
Jane 6
Sarah 6
Annie 5
Edith 5
Emma 5
Ann 4
Caroline 3
Charlotte 3
Clara 3
Maria 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Alice 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Fanny 2
Grace 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Bessie 1
Catharine 1
Dorcas 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
Irene 1
Isabella 1
Kate 1
Leonora 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Margret 1
Maud 1
Nora 1
Phillippa 1
Polly 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 21
William 17
George 16
Alfred 9
Joseph 8
James 7
Edward 6
Frederick 5
Thomas 5
Charles 4
Richard 4
Fred 3
Henry 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Richd. 2
Tristram 2
Willm. 2
Alexander 1
Arthur 1
Bertram 1
Chas.R. 1
Edwin 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Marwood 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Risdon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Risdon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 294 people were recorded with the Risdon surname. That placed it at #9,859 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Risdon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 264 in 2016. That gives Risdon a modern rank of #16,172.

What does the Risdon surname mean?

A locational surname derived from the town of Risdon in Somerset, England.

What does the Risdon map show?

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