NameCensus.

UK surname

Roblin

A surname derived from the Medieval French 'robelin', meaning a type of stout fabric.

In the 1881 census there were 159 people recorded with the Roblin surname, ranking it #14,935 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 289, ranked #15,137, down from #14,935 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Mary and Michaelstone-super-Avon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roblin is 297 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 81.8%.

1881 census count

159

Ranked #14,935

Modern count

289

2016, ranked #15,137

Peak year

2013

297 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roblin had 159 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,935 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016, ranked #15,137.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 242 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Roblin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Roblin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roblin 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 28 #28,274
1861 historical 55 #27,007
1881 historical 159 #14,935
1891 historical 194 #15,277
1901 historical 217 #14,381
1911 historical 242 #13,193
1997 modern 266 #14,658
1998 modern 287 #14,289
1999 modern 285 #14,438
2000 modern 295 #14,070
2001 modern 287 #14,131
2002 modern 292 #14,236
2003 modern 284 #14,331
2004 modern 278 #14,609
2005 modern 272 #14,742
2006 modern 269 #14,952
2007 modern 267 #15,225
2008 modern 277 #14,940
2009 modern 277 #15,260
2010 modern 280 #15,485
2011 modern 283 #15,193
2012 modern 286 #15,012
2013 modern 297 #14,844
2014 modern 290 #15,203
2015 modern 284 #15,344
2016 modern 289 #15,137

Geography

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Where Roblins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Mary, Michaelstone-super-Avon, Prendergast and Llanelly. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf. 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 St Mary Pembrokeshire
3 Michaelstone-super-Avon Glamorganshire
4 Prendergast Pembrokeshire
5 Llanelly Carmarthenshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 014 Pembrokeshire
2 Neath Port Talbot 013 Neath Port Talbot
3 Rhondda Cynon Taf 018 Rhondda Cynon Taf
4 Pembrokeshire 004 Pembrokeshire
5 Pembrokeshire 015 Pembrokeshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roblin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roblin

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Roblin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Roblin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Roblin is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Roblin is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Roblin falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Roblin

The surname ROBLIN is believed to have originated in France, and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old French word "robin," which referred to a small bird known as the robin redbreast. This nickname may have been given to someone with a reddish complexion or hair color.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ROBLIN surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England conducted in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Robelin" and is listed among landowners in the county of Lincolnshire.

In the 13th century, the ROBLIN surname is documented in various records from the region of Normandy, France. A notable figure from this time was Guillaume ROBLIN, a merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Rouen during the late 1200s.

As the surname spread throughout Europe, variations in spelling emerged, such as ROBLYN, ROBLINS, and ROBELINE. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and pronunciation.

During the Renaissance period, the ROBLIN name gained prominence in the arts and literature. Jean ROBLIN (1498-1564) was a celebrated French poet and playwright who authored several works that were performed at the court of King Francis I.

In the 17th century, Pierre ROBLIN (1633-1708) was a renowned French architect and engineer who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the Hôtel de Soubise and the Palais des Tuileries.

Another prominent figure with the ROBLIN surname was Sir John ROBLIN (1824-1892), a Canadian politician who served as the 14th Premier of the province of Ontario from 1911 to 1914.

Other notable individuals bearing the ROBLIN name include:

- Charles ROBLIN (1851-1917), a Canadian businessman and politician who served as the 7th Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. - Henri ROBLIN (1867-1942), a French artist and illustrator known for his works depicting rural life in Normandy. - Émile ROBLIN (1899-1985), a French writer and journalist who published several novels and collections of short stories. - Jeanne ROBLIN (1908-1989), a French actress and singer who appeared in numerous films and stage productions during the mid-20th century.

Overall, the ROBLIN surname has a rich history spanning multiple countries and centuries, with roots deeply intertwined in French culture and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roblin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roblin 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. Pembrokeshire leads with 72 Roblins recorded in 1881 and an index of 146.07x.

County Total Index
Pembrokeshire 72 146.07x
Carmarthenshire 55 84.14x
Glamorgan 30 11.11x
Cardiganshire 1 2.64x
Denbighshire 1 1.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pembroke St Mary in Pembrokeshire leads with 20 Roblins recorded in 1881 and an index of 314.96x.

Place Total Index
Pembroke St Mary 20 314.96x
Monckton 16 1818.18x
Llanelly 12 81.52x
Ystradyfodwg 12 50.65x
Llanedy 10 813.01x
Jeffreston 8 3076.92x
Cyffic 7 2916.67x
Llanboidy 7 853.66x
Llandowror 7 4375.00x
Llannon 7 777.78x
Michaelstone Super Avon 6 205.48x
Pentyrch 6 535.71x
Llantwit Vairdre 4 131.58x
Narberth North 4 454.55x
Prendergast 4 533.33x
St Twinell 4 4444.44x
Fishguard 3 280.37x
Llangennech 3 285.71x
St Issells 3 288.46x
Burton 2 400.00x
Narberth South 2 555.56x
Aberdare 1 5.39x
Begelly 1 333.33x
Castlemartin 1 476.19x
Eglwys Cymmin 1 714.29x
Llangan East 1 322.58x
Llangollen Bache 1 149.25x
Llangunllo 1 322.58x
Loveston 1 1428.57x
Nevern 1 142.86x
Stackpole Elidor 1 625.00x
Swansea Town 1 4.52x
Tenby St Mary In 1 39.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 11
Margaret 6
Martha 6
Anne 5
Ann 4
Jane 4
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Sarah 2
Susan 2
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Elenor 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Evelina 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Lettice 1
Lucy 1
Margret 1
Matilda 1
Phebe 1
Rebecca 1
Sasanah 1
Susanah 1
Susannah 1
Susanora 1
Tabitha 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Roblin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roblin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 159 people were recorded with the Roblin surname. That placed it at #14,935 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roblin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016. That gives Roblin a modern rank of #15,137.

What does the Roblin surname mean?

A surname derived from the Medieval French 'robelin', meaning a type of stout fabric.

What does the Roblin map show?

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