UK surname
A surname derived from a reference to someone living near or operating a roadside inn or tavern.
In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Roadhouse surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 72, ranked #33,585, down from #23,950 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lyncombe and Widcombe, Sheffield and Bath St Michael. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roadhouse is 147 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5.9%.
1881 census count
68
Ranked #23,950
Modern count
72
2016, ranked #33,585
Peak year
1911
147 bearers
Map years
2
1901 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Roadhouse surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Roadhouse surname density by area, 1911 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 | 40 | #26,118 |
| 1861 | historical | 42 | #28,691 |
| 1881 | historical | 68 | #23,950 |
| 1891 | historical | 74 | #27,538 |
| 1901 | historical | 122 | #20,344 |
| 1911 | historical | 147 | #18,104 |
| 1997 | modern | 86 | #28,876 |
| 1998 | modern | 86 | #29,343 |
| 1999 | modern | 79 | #30,243 |
| 2000 | modern | 81 | #30,036 |
| 2001 | modern | 76 | #30,366 |
| 2002 | modern | 74 | #31,048 |
| 2003 | modern | 77 | #30,762 |
| 2004 | modern | 72 | #31,488 |
| 2005 | modern | 65 | #32,387 |
| 2006 | modern | 65 | #32,743 |
| 2007 | modern | 66 | #32,948 |
| 2008 | modern | 65 | #33,303 |
| 2009 | modern | 67 | #33,450 |
| 2010 | modern | 70 | #33,480 |
| 2011 | modern | 70 | #33,465 |
| 2012 | modern | 77 | #33,124 |
| 2013 | modern | 75 | #33,409 |
| 2014 | modern | 74 | #33,531 |
| 2015 | modern | 70 | #33,717 |
| 2016 | modern | 72 | #33,585 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lyncombe and Widcombe, Sheffield, Bath St Michael, Rotherham and Royston. 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 | Lyncombe and Widcombe | Somerset |
| 2 | Sheffield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Bath St Michael | Somerset |
| 4 | Rotherham | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Royston | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Roadhouse 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 Roadhouse, 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 Roadhouse surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Roadhouse 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, Roadhouse 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 Roadhouse is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Roadhouse, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Roadhouse is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English words "rad" (meaning road or path) and "hus" (meaning house or dwelling). It was likely an occupational name given to individuals who lived or worked near a dwelling situated along a major road or highway.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Roadhouse can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Essex from the year 1273, where it was spelled as "Rodehous." This suggests that the name was already in use by the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as "Rodehuse" and "Rodhuys," reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common during that time period.
The Roadhouse surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest recorded figures was John Roadhouse, a merchant from London who was mentioned in the city's records in the late 15th century.
Another prominent individual with this surname was William Roadhouse, a British soldier who served in the Napoleonic Wars during the early 19th century. He was born in 1785 and participated in several major battles, including the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
In the 19th century, the Roadhouse surname gained prominence with the rise of Thomas Roadhouse, an English architect and surveyor. He was born in 1825 and was responsible for designing several notable buildings in London, including the St. Pancras Railway Station.
The late 19th century saw the emergence of Samuel Roadhouse, a Canadian politician and businessman. Born in 1844, he served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and played a significant role in the development of the city of Toronto.
In the 20th century, one of the most notable individuals with the Roadhouse surname was Christopher Roadhouse, a British actor and writer. Born in 1936, he appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the popular series "Doctor Who."
While the Roadhouse surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand, due to migration and immigration patterns over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roadhouse 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. Yorkshire leads with 60 Roadhouses recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.13x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 60 | 9.13x |
| Somerset | 5 | 4.68x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.30x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.60x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rotherham in Yorkshire leads with 33 Roadhouses recorded in 1881 and an index of 891.89x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Rotherham | 33 | 891.89x |
| Sheffield | 21 | 100.38x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 5 | 179.21x |
| Potter Newton | 3 | 258.62x |
| St George In East | 2 | 44.35x |
| Aston | 1 | 2.17x |
| Ecclesall Bierlow | 1 | 7.48x |
| Monk Frystone | 1 | 909.09x |
| Wath On Dearne | 1 | 76.34x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Roadhouse 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 Roadhouse 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 Roadhouse households.
FAQ
In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Roadhouse surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 72 in 2016. That gives Roadhouse a modern rank of #33,585.
A surname derived from a reference to someone living near or operating a roadside inn or tavern.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Roadhouse 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.