NameCensus.

UK surname

Roby

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "farmstead on a hill" in Old Danish.

In the 1881 census there were 730 people recorded with the Roby surname, ranking it #5,008 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 778, ranked #7,086, down from #5,008 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wigan, Standish and Winwick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan and St. Helens.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roby is 899 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.6%.

1881 census count

730

Ranked #5,008

Modern count

778

2016, ranked #7,086

Peak year

1911

899 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roby had 730 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,008 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 778 in 2016, ranked #7,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 899 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Roby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Roby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roby 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 540 #4,666
1861 historical 543 #4,837
1881 historical 730 #5,008
1891 historical 800 #5,027
1901 historical 868 #5,281
1911 historical 899 #4,956
1997 modern 840 #6,299
1998 modern 817 #6,648
1999 modern 851 #6,479
2000 modern 847 #6,476
2001 modern 800 #6,650
2002 modern 831 #6,575
2003 modern 827 #6,471
2004 modern 842 #6,394
2005 modern 808 #6,568
2006 modern 801 #6,622
2007 modern 817 #6,578
2008 modern 799 #6,754
2009 modern 814 #6,793
2010 modern 816 #6,904
2011 modern 806 #6,895
2012 modern 783 #6,976
2013 modern 798 #6,973
2014 modern 792 #7,060
2015 modern 781 #7,071
2016 modern 778 #7,086

Geography

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Where Robys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wigan, Standish and Winwick. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan and St. Helens. 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 Wigan Lancashire
2 Standish Lancashire
3 Winwick Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 018 Wigan
2 St. Helens 002 St. Helens
3 Wigan 002 Wigan
4 Wigan 009 Wigan
5 Wigan 012 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roby

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Roby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Roby household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Roby is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Roby 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

Roby falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Roby

The surname Roby has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "robe," which means "robe" or "garment." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who made or sold robes or clothing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Roby can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Robi" and "Robei," indicating its presence in England during the Norman era.

In the 13th century, records show the name Roby being associated with various locations in Lancashire, England. For example, the village of Roby Mill was mentioned in historical documents from this period, and it is possible that the surname originated from this place name or a similar one.

One notable individual bearing the surname Roby was John Roby, a 16th-century English clergyman and scholar. Born in 1495, he served as the Bishop of Norwich from 1537 until his death in 1558. He was known for his involvement in the English Reformation and his support for the Protestant cause.

In the 17th century, Thomas Roby, an English soldier and politician, gained prominence. Born in 1619, he served as a Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury and was actively involved in the English Civil War, fighting on the Parliamentarian side.

Another significant figure with the surname Roby was John Roby, an English Dissenting minister and author who lived from 1693 to 1768. He was known for his works on theology and his advocacy for religious freedom and nonconformity.

In the 18th century, the name Roby was also found in literary circles. William Roby, born in 1766, was an English writer and educator who authored several books on grammar and language instruction.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Roby continued to be present in various parts of England, with individuals bearing this name contributing to various fields, including religion, politics, and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roby 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 481 Robys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.73x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 481 5.73x
Surrey 39 1.13x
Berkshire 37 6.97x
Leicestershire 37 4.72x
Middlesex 31 0.44x
Warwickshire 24 1.35x
Oxfordshire 15 3.43x
Derbyshire 10 0.90x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.73x
Cheshire 6 0.38x
Worcestershire 6 0.65x
Angus 5 0.76x
Durham 4 0.19x
Lincolnshire 4 0.35x
Northumberland 4 0.38x
Yorkshire 4 0.06x
Merionethshire 3 2.32x
Hertfordshire 2 0.41x
Kent 2 0.08x
Staffordshire 2 0.08x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Renfrewshire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Pemberton in Lancashire leads with 57 Robys recorded in 1881 and an index of 170.35x.

Place Total Index
Pemberton 57 170.35x
Billinge Chapel End 45 955.41x
Wigan 40 34.11x
Ince In Makerfield 36 92.19x
Orrell 30 287.63x
Ashby De La Zouch 23 126.51x
Standish With Langtree 23 222.65x
Birmingham 18 3.03x
Billinge Higher End 17 500.00x
Ashton In Makerfield 16 66.95x
Rainhill 15 278.81x
Oxford St Ebbe 14 108.95x
Didcot 13 1444.44x
Cookham 12 72.51x
Prescot 12 79.05x
Wavertree 12 44.68x
Farnworth 11 21.88x
Bury 10 10.43x
Croydon 10 5.23x
Islington London 10 1.46x
Bickerstaffe 9 163.93x
Camberwell 9 1.99x
Skelmersdale 9 64.38x
Ashton Under Lyne 8 4.36x
Chadderton 8 19.50x
Hulme 8 4.57x
Droylsden 7 25.57x
Hindley 7 19.56x
Kearsley 7 39.64x
Little Bolton 7 6.49x
Rainford 7 77.09x
Tottington Lower End 7 17.55x
Aspull 5 25.33x
Bermondsey 5 2.37x
Beswick 5 23.30x
Cole Orton 5 344.83x
Coventry St Michael 5 8.73x
Denton 5 26.88x
Glenisla 5 260.42x
Nottingham St Mary 5 2.03x
Pendleton In Salford 5 5.00x
Preston 5 2.23x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 3.51x
West Derby 5 2.04x
Chorley 4 8.49x
Hurley 4 144.93x
Lathom 4 39.49x
Old Windsor 4 65.15x
Oldham 4 1.48x
Paddington London 4 1.54x
St Swithin Lincoln 4 22.50x
Stourbridge 4 16.84x
Tonge With Haulgh 4 24.48x
Toxteth Park 4 1.41x
Twyford Stenson 4 754.72x
Broughton In Salford 3 3.91x
Diseworth 3 297.03x
Eccleston In Prescot 3 7.12x
Euxton 3 107.91x
Hackney London 3 0.76x
Lambeth 3 0.49x
Matlock 3 20.17x
Newington 3 1.15x
Shardlow 3 142.86x
Towyn 3 36.86x
Willesden 3 4.50x
Cheadle 2 6.71x
Chiswick 2 5.18x
Elswick 2 2.38x
Kensington London 2 0.51x
Little Stanney 2 526.32x
Newton 2 3.09x
Sculcoates 2 1.80x
Snenton 2 5.34x
South Shields 2 10.67x
Stockton On Tees 2 1.97x
Westgate 2 3.07x
Whiston 2 30.53x
Winstanley 2 151.52x
West Greenock 1 1.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 63
Elizabeth 28
Ellen 26
Alice 24
Jane 22
Sarah 21
Ann 20
Margaret 17
Eliza 11
Annie 8
Emma 8
Catherine 6
Hannah 6
Martha 5
Susan 5
Anne 4
Esther 4
Rachel 4
Agnes 3
Amelia 3
Emily 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Maria 3
Ada 2
Betsy 2
Charlotte 2
Fanny 2
Flora 2
Harriet 2
Helen 2
Josephine 2
Laura 2
Susanna 2
Amy 1
Betsey 1
Caroline 1
Catheine 1
Emmanda 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Eveline 1
Helena 1
Johnna 1
Josanna 1
Lillian 1
Lilly 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Zenith 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 56
James 42
William 42
Thomas 28
George 22
Henry 14
Richard 13
Joseph 12
Robert 12
Alfred 11
Samuel 6
Albert 5
Charles 5
Michael 5
Edward 4
Frank 4
Harry 4
Herbert 3
Nehemiah 3
Roger 3
Caleb 2
Ernest 2
Frederic 2
Jno. 2
Joshua 2
Nathan 2
Simon 2
Thos. 2
Wm. 2
Andrew 1
Annie 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Francis 1
Francois 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Harold 1
Hubert 1
Lawrence 1
Moses 1
Nathanel 1
Nehamiah 1
Noel 1
Oswald 1
Paul 1
Peter 1
Reginald 1

FAQ

Roby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 730 people were recorded with the Roby surname. That placed it at #5,008 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 778 in 2016. That gives Roby a modern rank of #7,086.

What does the Roby surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "farmstead on a hill" in Old Danish.

What does the Roby map show?

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