NameCensus.

UK surname

Rising

An English surname referring to someone living on a hill or near a source of a river.

In the 1881 census there were 268 people recorded with the Rising surname, ranking it #10,542 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 280, ranked #15,491, down from #10,542 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Gorleston, St Leonard Bromley and Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gateshead, North East Lincolnshire and Braintree.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rising is 379 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.5%.

1881 census count

268

Ranked #10,542

Modern count

280

2016, ranked #15,491

Peak year

1911

379 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rising had 268 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,542 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016, ranked #15,491.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 379 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Rising surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rising surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rising 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 117 #15,456
1861 historical 210 #11,551
1881 historical 268 #10,542
1891 historical 310 #10,812
1901 historical 348 #10,484
1911 historical 379 #9,672
1997 modern 287 #13,912
1998 modern 297 #13,967
1999 modern 310 #13,672
2000 modern 301 #13,873
2001 modern 298 #13,784
2002 modern 312 #13,639
2003 modern 305 #13,662
2004 modern 306 #13,720
2005 modern 300 #13,837
2006 modern 303 #13,834
2007 modern 290 #14,372
2008 modern 296 #14,275
2009 modern 308 #14,161
2010 modern 304 #14,591
2011 modern 295 #14,758
2012 modern 282 #15,158
2013 modern 288 #15,192
2014 modern 283 #15,495
2015 modern 280 #15,485
2016 modern 280 #15,491

Geography

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Where Risings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Gorleston, St Leonard Bromley, Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos, London parishes and Great Yarmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Gateshead, North East Lincolnshire, Braintree, Castle Point and Basingstoke and Deane. 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 Gorleston Suffolk
2 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
3 Hellesdon, St Mary in the Marsh, St Clement, St Martin at Oak, St Mary at Coslany, St Michael at Cos Norfolk
4 London parishes London 2
5 Great Yarmouth Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Gateshead 002 Gateshead
2 North East Lincolnshire 023 North East Lincolnshire
3 Braintree 006 Braintree
4 Castle Point 012 Castle Point
5 Basingstoke and Deane 010 Basingstoke and Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rising

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rising

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Rising surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Rising household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Rising is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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.

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Group profile

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Rising is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rising 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 Rising is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Rising, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rising

The surname Rising has its origins in England, dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "risinge," which referred to a hill or elevated terrain. This suggests that the name may have been initially used to describe someone who lived on or near a hill or rising ground.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Rising can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Risinge" and "Risinghe," indicating its evolution over time.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the surname became more prevalent, particularly in the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire. Historical records from this period often mention individuals with the surname Rising in connection with various landholdings and transactions.

One notable individual bearing the surname Rising was Sir John Rising (c. 1480-1544), a prominent English politician and courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as a member of Parliament and held several important positions, including that of Constable of Nottingham Castle.

Another significant figure was William Rising (1604-1670), an English Puritan clergyman and author. He is best known for his work "A Vindication of the Doctrine of Antiquity," which defended the principles of the Church of England against the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

In the 18th century, the surname Rising gained further recognition with the birth of James Rising (1737-1817), a British naval officer and explorer. He is remembered for his voyages to the Pacific Ocean and his contributions to the mapping of the Australian coastline.

During the 19th century, the name Rising was associated with several notable individuals, including Henry Rising (1815-1899), a prominent American businessman and philanthropist from New York. He made significant contributions to the development of the city's transportation infrastructure and supported various charitable causes.

Another individual of note was Sarah Rising (1832-1912), an American educator and advocate for women's rights. She played a pivotal role in the establishment of several educational institutions and worked tirelessly to promote equal opportunities for women in education and employment.

While the surname Rising may have originated from a geographical feature, it has since become a part of the rich tapestry of English and American history, with numerous individuals bearing this name leaving their mark across various fields and endeavors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rising families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rising 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. Norfolk leads with 94 Risings recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.39x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 94 23.39x
Suffolk 74 23.24x
Middlesex 37 1.42x
Surrey 17 1.33x
Yorkshire 13 0.50x
Warwickshire 6 0.91x
Northamptonshire 5 2.03x
Berkshire 4 2.04x
Somerset 4 0.95x
Kent 3 0.34x
Devon 2 0.37x
Hampshire 2 0.37x
Sussex 2 0.45x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.60x
Essex 1 0.19x
Herefordshire 1 0.93x
Lincolnshire 1 0.24x
Shropshire 1 0.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 52 Risings recorded in 1881 and an index of 156.20x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 52 156.20x
Long Melford 51 1722.97x
Gorleston 14 173.05x
Bromley London 13 22.60x
Horning 12 3076.92x
Hackney London 10 6.82x
Wimbledon 8 55.94x
Martham 7 714.29x
Rotherham 7 47.95x
Norwich St Peter Mancroft 6 297.03x
Blisworth 5 526.32x
Camberwell 5 2.99x
Islington London 5 1.97x
Skelton In Guisbrough 5 71.33x
Lowestoft 4 26.60x
Old Stratford 4 107.24x
Reading St Mary 4 25.45x
South Walsham St Mary 4 1212.12x
Walcot 4 17.85x
Bow London 3 9.01x
Oxnead 3 4285.71x
Canterbury St Mary N 2 333.33x
Exning 2 124.22x
Holdenhurst 2 14.23x
Horsey 2 1111.11x
Littleham 2 50.25x
Poplar London 2 4.05x
Reedham 2 259.74x
Rollesby 2 400.00x
Shoreditch London 2 1.76x
St Pancras London 2 0.95x
Aldham 1 476.19x
Aston 1 0.55x
Breinton 1 238.10x
Brighton 1 1.12x
Corton 1 200.00x
Edgbaston 1 4.89x
Edgmond 1 40.16x
Hastings St Mary 1 9.12x
Heigham 1 4.64x
Hethersett 1 98.04x
Hunstanton 1 73.53x
Kirby Fleetham 1 200.00x
Kirkley 1 37.59x
Lambeth 1 0.44x
Milton In Gravesend 1 7.48x
Mundesley 1 294.12x
Newington 1 1.04x
Penge 1 5.99x
Putney 1 8.40x
Spalding 1 12.06x
St Giles Cambridge 1 46.73x
West Ham 1 0.88x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
Thomas 10
George 8
Henry 8
Robert 8
Charles 7
Arthur 5
James 5
Albert 4
Edward 4
Frederick 4
John 4
Alfred 3
Richard 3
Ernest 2
Samuel 2
Tilney 2
Andrew 1
Archball 1
Benjamin 1
Ebenezer 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Ezekial 1
Ezekiel 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Joe 1
Percy 1
Rupert 1
Saml. 1
Shadrach 1
Stanley 1
Walter 1
Whiteman 1

FAQ

Rising surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rising surname in 1881?

In 1881, 268 people were recorded with the Rising surname. That placed it at #10,542 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rising surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016. That gives Rising a modern rank of #15,491.

What does the Rising surname mean?

An English surname referring to someone living on a hill or near a source of a river.

What does the Rising map show?

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