NameCensus.

UK surname

Rodd

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "clearing in a wood".

In the 1881 census there were 469 people recorded with the Rodd surname, ranking it #7,106 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 679, ranked #7,896, down from #7,106 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include The Vale of Glamorgan, Weymouth and Portland and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rodd is 706 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44.8%.

1881 census count

469

Ranked #7,106

Modern count

679

2016, ranked #7,896

Peak year

2014

706 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rodd had 469 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,106 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 679 in 2016, ranked #7,896.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 674 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Rodd surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rodd surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rodd 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 370 #6,426
1861 historical 354 #7,224
1881 historical 469 #7,106
1891 historical 621 #6,225
1901 historical 632 #6,787
1911 historical 674 #6,264
1997 modern 680 #7,410
1998 modern 695 #7,514
1999 modern 691 #7,594
2000 modern 692 #7,552
2001 modern 666 #7,652
2002 modern 686 #7,633
2003 modern 672 #7,634
2004 modern 649 #7,852
2005 modern 646 #7,807
2006 modern 649 #7,807
2007 modern 666 #7,727
2008 modern 655 #7,869
2009 modern 672 #7,886
2010 modern 674 #8,014
2011 modern 665 #8,014
2012 modern 677 #7,818
2013 modern 702 #7,705
2014 modern 706 #7,720
2015 modern 692 #7,798
2016 modern 679 #7,896

Geography

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Where Rodds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Llanwonno and Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to The Vale of Glamorgan, Weymouth and Portland, Cheshire West and Chester, Reigate and Banstead and Bath and North East Somerset. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Llanwonno Glamorganshire
5 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 The Vale of Glamorgan 008 Vale of Glamorgan
2 Weymouth and Portland 009 Weymouth and Portland
3 Cheshire West and Chester 001 Cheshire West and Chester
4 Reigate and Banstead 005 Reigate and Banstead
5 Bath and North East Somerset 027 Bath and North East Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rodd

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rodd

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Rodd is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rodd 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

Rodd 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 Rodd 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 Rodd, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rodd

The surname Rodd is of English origin, derived from the Old English word 'rod' meaning a clearing or open land. It is believed to have originated as a toponymic name, referring to someone who lived near a clearing or open area.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in various counties across England, including Oxfordshire, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. The Hundred Rolls of 1273, an ancient census document, mentions a Henry de la Rodde in Oxfordshire.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms such as Rodde, Roddis, and Rodys. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1327 mention a William Rodde in Somerset, while the Poll Tax Records of 1379 list a John Rodys in Gloucestershire.

One notable historical figure with the surname Rodd was Sir Randolph Rodd (1857-1933), a British diplomat and ambassador to various countries, including Italy and the Netherlands. He played a significant role in facilitating the Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia during the early 20th century.

Another prominent individual was Thomas Rodd (1763-1822), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Honiton and later for Okehampton. He was also a successful banker and businessman.

The name Rodd has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Rodd Hill in Somerset and Rodd Farm in Dorset. These place names likely derived from the Old English word 'rod' and may have influenced the surname's origin.

Other notable individuals with the surname Rodd include Sir James Rennell Rodd (1858-1941), a British diplomat and author; Rennie Rodd (1907-1988), a British actor and screenwriter; and Thomas Rodd (1796-1849), an English clergyman and author.

While the surname Rodd is not as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history dating back to the 13th century and has been associated with notable figures in various fields, including diplomacy, politics, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rodd families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rodd 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. Devon leads with 121 Rodds recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.71x.

County Total Index
Devon 121 12.71x
Middlesex 76 1.66x
Cornwall 63 12.16x
Somerset 50 6.79x
Surrey 46 2.06x
Glamorgan 34 4.27x
Yorkshire 18 0.40x
Gloucestershire 15 1.67x
Berkshire 13 3.79x
Kent 10 0.64x
Essex 6 0.66x
Dorset 5 1.67x
Durham 3 0.22x
Hampshire 3 0.32x
Worcestershire 3 0.50x
Sussex 2 0.26x
Lancashire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 20 Rodds recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.01x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 20 5.01x
Bishops Nympton 19 1049.72x
Islington London 18 4.06x
Burnham 13 231.73x
Bishops Tawton 12 404.04x
Llanwonno 11 38.43x
Newton Tracey 11 5500.00x
Bethnal Green London 10 5.03x
Launcells 10 1149.43x
Walcot 10 25.50x
Cardiff St John 9 34.59x
Horsington 9 769.23x
Thatcham 9 170.13x
Cheltenham 8 11.56x
Dartmouth St Saviour 8 294.12x
Exeter St Thomas The 8 82.39x
St Pancras London 8 2.17x
Camberwell 7 2.40x
Cardynham 7 1590.91x
Chelsea London 7 5.08x
Holy Trinity Less 7 714.29x
Liskeard 7 80.74x
Chelmsford 6 38.73x
Deptford St Paul 6 4.98x
Gwinear 6 243.90x
Roath 6 16.58x
Stratton 6 213.52x
Westleigh 6 769.23x
Westminster St 6 35.57x
Weston 6 106.01x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 5.92x
Great Torrington 5 92.59x
Hackney London 5 1.95x
Madron Penzance 5 26.55x
North Hill 5 301.20x
Rame 5 375.94x
Southcoates 5 19.86x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 5.43x
Warkleigh 5 1351.35x
Beeston 4 87.15x
Bradstone 4 2000.00x
Marwood 4 314.96x
Midsomer Norton 4 57.64x
Plumstead 4 7.69x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 5.45x
Plymstock 4 80.16x
St George Hanover 4 6.70x
Stoke Damerel 4 6.00x
Ystradyfodwg 4 5.72x
Batley 3 6.96x
Bermondsey 3 2.20x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.78x
Kensington London 3 1.18x
Monkwearmouth 3 23.02x
Newington 3 1.78x
Speen 3 53.38x
Streatham 3 8.84x
Wincanton 3 79.16x
Armley 2 10.01x
Bideford 2 19.61x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 6.68x
Chardstock 2 96.15x
Evesham St Lawrence 2 63.09x
Exeter St Leonard 2 76.63x
Lansallos 2 178.57x
Malborough 2 52.77x
Marhamchurch 2 238.10x
Martock 2 41.75x
Merrow 2 215.05x
Milton Damerel 2 266.67x
Morwenstow 2 157.48x
Northam 2 28.82x
Plymouth Charles The 2 4.77x
Portsea 2 1.09x
Stonehouse East 2 41.41x
Swansea Town 2 3.06x
Broad Clist 1 30.40x
Charlton Horethorne 1 133.33x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 25.77x
Farlington 1 52.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 36
Elizabeth 18
Ann 14
Sarah 11
Annie 9
Eliza 9
Emma 9
Ellen 8
Jane 8
Emily 7
Ada 6
Caroline 6
Catherine 4
Frances 4
Lucy 4
Margaret 4
Susan 4
Alice 3
Bessie 3
Charlotte 3
Grace 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Elizebath 2
Gertrude 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Maria 2
Phoebe 2
Polly 2
Rebecca 2
Rose 2
Susanah 2
Wilhelmina 2
Agnes 1
Anna 1
Cecilia 1
Charotte 1
Clara 1
Elizth 1
Emmeline 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Joanna 1
Laura 1
Leonal 1
Lorenza 1
Lydia 1
Manann 1
Manansu 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 37
William 36
Charles 16
James 16
George 15
Thomas 15
Henry 7
Albert 6
Alfred 6
Edward 6
Francis 5
Frederick 5
Richard 5
Thos. 4
Arthur 3
Philip 3
Samuel 3
Frank 2
Fred 2
Robert 2
...muel 1
A.St. 1
Alfrid 1
Archibald 1
Benjamin 1
Bob 1
Byron 1
Christopher 1
Claude 1
Edwin 1
Handescombe 1
Hillery 1
Isaac 1
Laurance 1
Louis 1
Marshall 1
Meredith 1
Montague 1
Nicholas 1
Peter 1
Sam. 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1
Stephen 1
Tallisin 1
Thomitty 1
Thos.Wm. 1
Tom 1
Walter 1
Willis 1

FAQ

Rodd surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rodd surname in 1881?

In 1881, 469 people were recorded with the Rodd surname. That placed it at #7,106 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rodd surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 679 in 2016. That gives Rodd a modern rank of #7,896.

What does the Rodd surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from a place name meaning "clearing in a wood".

What does the Rodd map show?

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