UK surname
A diminutive form of the English surname Rice, derived from the plant name.
In the 1881 census there were 21 people recorded with the Rish surname, ranking it #30,609 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #30,609 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tipton otherwise Tibington, Stogursey and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rish is 114 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.9%.
1881 census count
21
Ranked #30,609
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1861
114 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rish surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rish 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 | 26 | #28,667 |
| 1861 | historical | 114 | #19,011 |
| 1881 | historical | 21 | #30,609 |
| 1891 | historical | 72 | #27,804 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 45 | #28,332 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 11 | #37,411 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tipton otherwise Tibington, Stogursey, St Dunstan Stepney, Manchester and Clevedon. 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 | Tipton otherwise Tibington | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Stogursey | Somerset |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Clevedon | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rish 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 Rish, 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 Rish surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rish 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, Rish 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 Rish is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rish, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname RISH has its origins in England, tracing back to the early medieval period around the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "rissc," which means "rush," referring to the reedy marsh plant. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have lived near or worked in areas abundant with rushes.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the RISH name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and taxation records commissioned by William the Conqueror. The spelling "Risch" appears in this document, likely referring to individuals residing in areas with rushes or marshlands.
In the 13th century, the name appeared as "Ryshe" in the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire, a census-like record from 1273. This spelling variation further reinforces the connection to the Old English word "rissc."
Notable individuals with the RISH surname include Sir John Rish (c. 1540-1610), an English politician and judge who served as a Member of Parliament and Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another early bearer of this name was William Rish (1609-1673), a Puritan minister and author who immigrated to New England and became the first pastor of the First Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Moving forward in time, Robert Rish (1730-1805) was a prominent English clockmaker and inventor, known for his contributions to the development of the chronometer and other timekeeping devices. His work was highly acclaimed during the Georgian era.
In the 19th century, James Rish (1817-1890) was a Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the textile industry. He is remembered for his generous donations to educational institutions and charitable causes in his adopted hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.
Another noteworthy figure was Edith Rish (1876-1959), a British writer and suffragette who actively campaigned for women's right to vote. Her works, including novels and non-fiction pieces, often explored themes of social justice and women's empowerment.
While the RISH surname may have originated from humble beginnings, referring to those living or working near marshlands, its bearers have left their mark across various fields throughout history, from politics and law to religion, industry, and literature.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rish 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 10 Rishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.13x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 10 | 5.13x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 6.35x |
| Devon | 1 | 2.47x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.43x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 11.43x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 4.21x |
| Sussex | 1 | 3.04x |
| Westmorland | 1 | 23.36x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Giles In Fields in Middlesex leads with 6 Rishs recorded in 1881 and an index of 895.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Giles In Fields | 6 | 895.52x |
| Mile End Old Town | 4 | 129.87x |
| Old Monkland | 4 | 160.00x |
| Hove | 1 | 69.44x |
| Ipswich St Mary Key | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Killin | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Lidford | 1 | 555.56x |
| Oldham | 1 | 13.40x |
| Undermilbeck | 1 | 714.29x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rish 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 Rish 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 Rish households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 4 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Chemist | 1 |
| Cook Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Thief | 1 |
| Tool Maker | 1 |
| Tool Maker's Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 21 people were recorded with the Rish surname. That placed it at #30,609 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Rish a modern rank of #37,385.
A diminutive form of the English surname Rice, derived from the plant name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rish 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.