NameCensus.

UK surname

Roberts

An English and Welsh patronymic surname meaning "son of Robert," derived from the Germanic name Hrodebert, meaning "bright fame."

In the 1881 census there were 112,276 people recorded with the Roberts surname, ranking it #10 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 148,206, ranked #11, down from #10 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Ruabon and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Conwy, Gwynedd and Isle of Anglesey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roberts is 152,463 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.0%.

1881 census count

112,276

Ranked #10

Modern count

148,206

2016, ranked #11

Peak year

2010

152,463 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roberts had 112,276 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 148,206 in 2016, ranked #11.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 143,800 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Roberts surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Roberts surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roberts 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 78,043 #10
1861 historical 76,907 #10
1881 historical 112,276 #10
1891 historical 118,532 #10
1901 historical 134,723 #10
1911 historical 143,800 #9
1997 modern 144,750 #11
1998 modern 150,891 #11
1999 modern 152,342 #11
2000 modern 151,819 #11
2001 modern 147,936 #11
2002 modern 150,556 #11
2003 modern 147,117 #11
2004 modern 146,904 #11
2005 modern 144,634 #11
2006 modern 144,474 #11
2007 modern 145,457 #11
2008 modern 146,120 #11
2009 modern 149,510 #11
2010 modern 152,463 #11
2011 modern 149,791 #11
2012 modern 146,531 #11
2013 modern 149,490 #11
2014 modern 150,399 #11
2015 modern 148,760 #11
2016 modern 148,206 #11

Geography

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Where Roberts' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Ruabon, London parishes and Toxteth Park. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Conwy, Gwynedd and Isle of Anglesey. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Ruabon Denbighshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Toxteth Park Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Conwy 015 Conwy
2 Gwynedd 012 Gwynedd
3 Gwynedd 006 Gwynedd
4 Isle of Anglesey 006 Isle of Anglesey
5 Gwynedd 009 Gwynedd

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roberts

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roberts

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

Roberts 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

Roberts falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Roberts 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Roberts

The surname Roberts is of English origin, derived from the medieval given name Robert, which in turn came from the Germanic name Robrecht or Rodebert. This name is composed of the elements "hrod" meaning "fame" and "berht" meaning "bright." The name Robert was introduced into England by the Norman invaders after the conquest of 1066.

Roberts is a patronymic surname, meaning it was initially used to refer to the son of someone named Robert. Early examples of the surname can be found in records from the 12th and 13th centuries, such as the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1166, which mention a William Roberts.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England completed in 1086, does not include any direct references to the Roberts surname. However, it does list individuals with the given name Robert, indicating the name's presence in England before the Norman Conquest.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Roberts surname was William Roberts, a medieval English scholar and theologian born around 1340. He was a fellow of Merton College, Oxford, and wrote several works on logic and philosophy.

Sir John Roberts (c. 1558-1609) was a prominent Welsh judge and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland and a member of the English House of Commons. He played a crucial role in the administration of Ireland during the Tudor period.

Another notable figure was Abraham Roberts (1647-1711), a Welsh Puritan minister and author known for his influential work "A View of the Religions." He was a prominent figure in the Presbyterian movement in Wales.

In the 18th century, William Roberts (1767-1849) was a Welsh Baptist minister and writer who published several works on theology and religious subjects. He was also involved in the founding of the Baptist College in Abergavenny.

During the American Revolutionary War, Owen Roberts (1758-1794) was a Welsh-born soldier who fought for the Continental Army. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was killed in action during the Battle of Germantown in 1794.

The Roberts surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Roberts Bridge in East Sussex and Roberts Town in Shropshire. These locations may have been named after individuals bearing the Roberts surname or may have contributed to the development of the surname in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roberts families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roberts 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. Lancashire leads with 14,387 Roberts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.10x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 14,387 1.10x
Caernarfonshire 12,439 27.99x
Denbighshire 9,882 23.80x
Yorkshire 6,766 0.62x
Middlesex 6,731 0.61x
Merionethshire 5,561 27.65x
Flintshire 4,624 15.65x
Anglesey 4,302 22.09x
Cheshire 3,616 1.49x
Staffordshire 3,446 0.93x
Glamorgan 3,423 1.79x
Surrey 2,993 0.56x
Shropshire 2,766 2.91x
Cornwall 2,460 1.98x
Gloucestershire 2,166 1.00x
Warwickshire 2,028 0.73x
Kent 1,963 0.52x
Montgomeryshire 1,638 6.50x
Devon 1,456 0.64x
Monmouthshire 1,357 1.71x
Worcestershire 1,353 0.94x
Lincolnshire 1,056 0.60x
Carmarthenshire 958 2.07x
Durham 924 0.28x
Hampshire 900 0.40x
Derbyshire 878 0.51x
Sussex 778 0.42x
Northamptonshire 755 0.73x
Norfolk 710 0.42x
Essex 688 0.32x
Nottinghamshire 629 0.42x
Dorset 615 0.85x
Leicestershire 594 0.49x
Bedfordshire 592 1.04x
Somerset 523 0.30x
Pembrokeshire 509 1.46x
Cardiganshire 483 1.80x
Lanarkshire 452 0.13x
Herefordshire 431 0.96x
Hertfordshire 382 0.50x
Berkshire 368 0.45x
Buckinghamshire 365 0.55x
Wiltshire 358 0.37x
Suffolk 332 0.25x
Angus 308 0.30x
Oxfordshire 283 0.42x
Brecknockshire 239 1.09x
Northumberland 235 0.14x
Channel Islands 223 0.68x
Cambridgeshire 212 0.30x
Midlothian 211 0.14x
Cumberland 201 0.21x
Stirlingshire 156 0.38x
Radnorshire 97 1.09x
West Lothian 95 0.57x
Isle of Man 76 0.37x
Aberdeenshire 74 0.07x
Renfrewshire 72 0.08x
Rutland 71 0.88x
Royal Navy 69 0.53x
Dunbartonshire 53 0.18x
Westmorland 41 0.17x
Kincardineshire 40 0.30x
Ayrshire 39 0.05x
Selkirkshire 35 0.35x
Huntingdonshire 30 0.14x
Perthshire 23 0.05x
Fife 22 0.03x
Roxburghshire 17 0.09x
Argyllshire 15 0.05x
Inverness-shire 15 0.05x
Dumfriesshire 14 0.06x
Kirkcudbrightshire 9 0.06x
Clackmannanshire 8 0.09x
Banffshire 6 0.03x
Berwickshire 6 0.05x
East Lothian 6 0.04x
Morayshire 5 0.03x
Ross-shire 4 0.01x
Buteshire 3 0.05x
Kinross-shire 3 0.11x
Peeblesshire 3 0.06x
Sutherland 3 0.04x
Wigtownshire 3 0.02x
Nairnshire 2 0.06x
Caithness 1 0.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toxteth Park in Lancashire leads with 1,387 Roberts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.14x.

Place Total Index
Toxteth Park 1,387 3.14x
Liverpool 1,338 1.69x
Festiniog 1,320 31.11x
Everton 1,291 3.11x
Ruabon 997 17.46x
Bangor 974 22.72x
West Derby 955 2.50x
Llanllechid 881 28.20x
Llanbeblig 874 19.38x
Birmingham 730 0.79x
Holyhead 661 18.20x
Aston 660 0.86x
Islington London 648 0.61x
Llanllyfni 620 29.56x
Llanddeiniolen 617 23.75x
St Pancras London 600 0.68x
Kirkdale 585 2.67x
Ynyscynhaiarn 576 27.84x
Lambeth 561 0.59x
Holywell 549 14.80x
Manchester 532 0.91x
Stoke Upon Trent 530 1.35x
Birkenhead 524 2.71x
Llandwrog 493 31.66x
Camberwell 458 0.65x
Llanrwst 457 31.80x
Leeds 445 0.72x
Amlwch 444 24.22x
Kensington London 444 0.73x
Denbigh 426 25.57x
St Marylebone London 420 0.72x
Rhuddlan 414 15.92x
Ystradyfodwg 407 2.42x
Penmachno 406 51.81x
Henllan 403 38.03x
Dolgelley 392 26.21x
Mold 387 14.44x
Llanycil 375 34.68x
Bersham 350 19.76x
Llandegai 350 25.73x
Whitford 350 22.86x
Salford 348 0.91x
Llanrug 347 29.81x
Hackney London 343 0.56x
Llanelly 343 3.29x
Oswestry Town 332 10.92x
Chorlton On Medlock 331 1.60x
Hulme 331 1.22x
Shoreditch London 324 0.68x
Abergele 323 27.05x
Sheffield 322 0.93x
Llanberis 315 27.53x
Llandudno 310 19.57x
Dwygyfylchi 309 37.62x
Wrexham Regis 305 9.89x
Wolverhampton 303 1.06x
Denio 292 28.09x
Paddington London 283 0.70x
Brymbo 282 19.51x
Bootle Cum Linacre 276 2.66x
Llanfair Fechan 276 35.91x
West Ham 272 0.57x
Aberdare 266 2.02x
Conway 264 30.68x
Llanwnda 264 32.06x
Llanrhaiadr In Kinmerch 260 41.16x
Merthyr Tydfil 256 1.39x
Hope 255 17.35x
Newington 249 0.61x
Llanfihangel Y Traethau 243 21.25x
Tranmere 240 2.69x
Broughton 238 14.58x
Chester St John Baptist 238 5.46x
Trawsfynydd 238 32.74x
Ashton Under Lyne 233 0.82x
Flint 227 13.53x
Llanasa 227 22.15x
Llanarmon 226 35.72x
Clase 224 3.15x
Bethnal Green London 222 0.47x
Caerhun 219 57.18x
Mile End Old Town 215 1.24x
Nottingham St Mary 213 0.56x
Bermondsey 211 0.64x
Tipton 209 1.84x
Portsea 208 0.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8,127
Elizabeth 5,089
Jane 3,883
Sarah 3,485
Margaret 2,704
Ann 2,575
Ellen 2,303
Catherine 1,432
Anne 1,282
Eliza 1,271
Annie 1,239
Hannah 1,114
Alice 1,113
Emma 1,026
Martha 895
Emily 783
Harriet 605
Louisa 502
Maria 499
Edith 495
Fanny 410
Kate 387
Charlotte 366
Ada 349
Florence 344
Cathrine 339
Caroline 331
Grace 330
Elizth. 320
Clara 301
Frances 289
Laura 288
Susan 270
Lucy 262
Margret 243
Amelia 231
Esther 218
Margt. 218
Agnes 208
Ellin 205
Harriett 204
Eleanor 196
Gwen 173
Rebecca 172
Ruth 167
Rose 166
Susannah 166
Isabella 158
Matilda 149
Lydia 146

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 7,990
William 7,130
Thomas 4,147
Robert 3,563
George 2,211
David 1,970
Edward 1,929
James 1,905
Richard 1,644
Henry 1,578
Charles 1,350
Joseph 1,297
Hugh 1,054
Samuel 805
Owen 772
Evan 723
Arthur 648
Alfred 644
Frederick 553
Griffith 530
Albert 427
Walter 421
Edwin 358
Wm. 348
Harry 328
Benjamin 284
Isaac 274
Frank 244
Thos. 237
Daniel 235
Ellis 230
Peter 229
Ernest 226
Herbert 225
Francis 204
Lewis 204
Fred 150
Morris 149
Robt. 142
Stephen 135
Moses 101
Tom 92
Humphrey 88
Elias 85
Edmund 83
Fredrick 80
Jno. 80
Percy 78
Rowland 78
Richd. 76

Top occupations

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 Roberts households.

FAQ

Roberts surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roberts surname in 1881?

In 1881, 112,276 people were recorded with the Roberts surname. That placed it at #10 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roberts surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 148,206 in 2016. That gives Roberts a modern rank of #11.

What does the Roberts surname mean?

An English and Welsh patronymic surname meaning "son of Robert," derived from the Germanic name Hrodebert, meaning "bright fame."

What does the Roberts map show?

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