NameCensus.

UK surname

Rodda

An English habitational surname derived from the place name Rodda in Cornwall.

In the 1881 census there were 747 people recorded with the Rodda surname, ranking it #4,919 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 627, ranked #8,409, down from #4,919 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Agnes, Redruth and Madron. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rodda is 777 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 16.1%.

1881 census count

747

Ranked #4,919

Modern count

627

2016, ranked #8,409

Peak year

1851

777 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rodda had 747 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,919 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 627 in 2016, ranked #8,409.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 777 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rodda surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rodda surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rodda 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 777 #3,438
1861 historical 655 #4,093
1881 historical 747 #4,919
1891 historical 731 #5,428
1901 historical 729 #6,071
1911 historical 741 #5,789
1997 modern 657 #7,612
1998 modern 637 #8,026
1999 modern 645 #8,007
2000 modern 649 #7,942
2001 modern 638 #7,901
2002 modern 634 #8,127
2003 modern 637 #7,940
2004 modern 628 #8,053
2005 modern 595 #8,323
2006 modern 598 #8,302
2007 modern 588 #8,486
2008 modern 600 #8,417
2009 modern 637 #8,196
2010 modern 650 #8,242
2011 modern 652 #8,138
2012 modern 653 #8,049
2013 modern 654 #8,182
2014 modern 656 #8,194
2015 modern 638 #8,317
2016 modern 627 #8,409

Geography

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Where Roddas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Agnes, Redruth, Madron, Camborne and Crowan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 St Agnes Cornwall
2 Redruth Cornwall
3 Madron Cornwall
4 Camborne Cornwall
5 Crowan Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 053 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 067 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 061 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 020 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 065 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rodda

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rodda

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Rodda is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rodda is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rodda falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rodda

The surname Rodda is of Cornish origin, tracing its roots back to the southwestern region of England known as Cornwall. This name is derived from the Cornish word "rho" or "rhon," which means a rough, bramble-covered slope or hillside.

The earliest recorded instances of the Rodda surname can be found in ancient Cornish records dating back to the 13th century. One notable example is the mention of a Robertus de Rodda in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall in 1284.

The name Rodda was primarily concentrated in the parishes and villages of Cornwall, particularly in areas like St. Austell, Truro, and the Lizard Peninsula. It is believed that the surname may have originated as a descriptive name for someone who lived near or worked on a rough, bramble-covered hillside.

In the 16th century, the surname Rodda appears in the Protestation Returns of 1641-1642, a document listing those who swore allegiance to the Protestant faith during the English Civil War. This record includes names such as Richard Rodda from St. Germans and John Rodda from St. Martin-in-Meneage.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Rodda surname was Thomas Rodda, born around 1580 in Cornwall. He was a merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

Another notable figure with the surname Rodda was William Rodda (1753-1828), a renowned Cornish mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of navigation and was recognized for his work on calculating the solar eclipse of 1766.

In the 19th century, the Rodda family gained prominence in the mining industry of Cornwall. John Rodda (1815-1882) was a successful mine owner and entrepreneur who established the Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream Company, which became a well-known brand throughout the region.

Another individual of note was Samuel Rodda (1845-1920), a Cornish poet and author who wrote extensively about the local culture and traditions of his homeland. His works, such as "Cornish Ballads and Other Poems," helped preserve the rich literary heritage of Cornwall.

The surname Rodda has also been associated with various place names in Cornwall, such as Rodda's Town, Rodda's Mill, and Rodda's Croft, further emphasizing its deep-rooted connection to the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rodda families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rodda 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. Cornwall leads with 495 Roddas recorded in 1881 and an index of 59.45x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 495 59.45x
Devon 31 2.02x
Lancashire 26 0.30x
Essex 22 1.52x
Middlesex 22 0.30x
Cumberland 18 2.84x
Surrey 15 0.42x
Glamorgan 14 1.09x
Derbyshire 12 1.04x
Yorkshire 12 0.16x
Channel Islands 11 5.05x
Gloucestershire 11 0.76x
Dorset 10 2.07x
Kent 9 0.36x
Sussex 9 0.73x
Cheshire 8 0.49x
Northumberland 7 0.64x
Durham 6 0.27x
Worcestershire 5 0.52x
Ayrshire 2 0.36x
Carmarthenshire 2 0.65x
Monmouthshire 2 0.38x
Bedfordshire 1 0.26x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Hertfordshire 1 0.20x
Lincolnshire 1 0.09x
Royal Navy 1 1.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camborne in Cornwall leads with 96 Roddas recorded in 1881 and an index of 279.80x.

Place Total Index
Camborne 96 279.80x
Madron Penzance 63 208.06x
Crowan 47 712.12x
Calstock 27 165.34x
St Agnes 24 205.83x
St Buryan 21 610.47x
St Just In Penwith 21 129.95x
Millom 18 92.74x
Redruth 18 76.40x
Tavistock 18 103.21x
Tillingham 17 664.06x
Linkinhorne 16 275.86x
Gulval 12 223.88x
St Erth 12 237.62x
Gwinear 11 278.48x
Islington London 11 1.54x
St Helier 11 15.50x
Barrow In Furness 10 8.42x
Breage 10 131.58x
Caytn Deepdal Kilrby 10 649.35x
Falmouth 10 33.93x
Melcombe Regis 10 49.98x
Bolsover 8 138.65x
Dalton In Furness 8 23.75x
Helston 8 92.38x
Perranzabuloe 8 111.42x
Sancreed 8 338.98x
St Columb Minor 8 114.45x
Weston In Runcorn 8 189.57x
Camberwell 7 1.49x
Chatham 7 10.14x
Gwennap 7 44.56x
Illogan 7 31.75x
Paul 7 46.27x
St Cleer 7 96.95x
Tottenham 7 5.98x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 4.42x
Hastings St Leonards 6 32.91x
Kenwyn 6 27.55x
Lambeth 6 0.94x
Luxulyan 6 216.61x
Roath 6 10.31x
Bishop Auckland 5 17.03x
Longbenton 5 10.79x
Ludgvan 5 75.30x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 4.24x
St John Near Swansea 5 31.57x
Wendron 5 43.25x
West Ham 5 1.56x
Worcester Blockhouse 5 94.88x
Buckfastleigh 4 56.66x
Gwithian 4 258.06x
Madron 4 59.44x
Sithney 4 47.56x
St Hilary Marazion 4 176.99x
Burnley 3 4.08x
Clifton 3 4.11x
Eastbourne 3 5.26x
Ardrossan 2 10.50x
Glossop Dale 2 3.71x
Hulme 2 1.10x
Llanelly 2 2.86x
Mile End Old Town 2 1.72x
Mynyddyslwyn 2 9.54x
Phillack 2 18.60x
St Ive 2 37.45x
Wandsworth 2 2.82x
Wotton St Mary 2 26.74x
Ashburton 1 13.66x
Brotton 1 10.52x
Clee With Weelsby 1 3.88x
Eckington 1 3.58x
Elswick 1 1.15x
Kirkdale 1 0.68x
North Hill 1 37.45x
North Shields 1 4.58x
Oldham 1 0.36x
Preston 1 0.43x
St Clement 1 11.51x
St Marylebone London 1 0.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 78
Elizabeth 40
Jane 25
Emily 23
Annie 16
Sarah 14
Eliza 13
Grace 13
Margaret 10
Martha 10
Alice 9
Ann 7
Emma 7
Elizth. 6
Ellen 6
Harriet 6
Anne 5
Bessie 5
Minnie 5
Catherine 4
Edith 4
Elisabeth 4
Laura 4
Agnes 3
Anna 3
Charlotte 3
Matilda 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Beatrice 2
Caroline 2
Celia 2
Christian 2
Elizth.Ann 2
Ella 2
Frances 2
Jenifer 2
Lilly 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Nanny 2
Phillipa 2
Angelina 1
Elizbth. 1
Elizebeth 1
Henrietta 1
Isabella 1
Zepporah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 57
William 53
James 42
Thomas 41
Richard 21
Henry 14
Samuel 11
Joseph 9
Alfred 7
Edward 7
George 7
Charles 6
Stephen 4
Frederick 3
Mathew 3
Robert 3
Tobias 3
Albert 2
Benjamin 2
Christopher 2
Fredrick 2
Josiah 2
Philip 2
Sampson 2
Walter 2
Willm. 2
Charlie 1
Edmund 1
Elizabeth 1
Emanuel 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fraser 1
Geo.Wm.Francis 1
Harris 1
Harrold 1
Harry 1
Horace 1
Louis 1
Martin 1
Matthaw 1
Matthias 1
Nathaniel 1
Nicholas 1
Pearce 1
Peter 1
Reynald 1
Rothwell 1
Wyndham 1

FAQ

Rodda surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rodda surname in 1881?

In 1881, 747 people were recorded with the Rodda surname. That placed it at #4,919 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rodda surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 627 in 2016. That gives Rodda a modern rank of #8,409.

What does the Rodda surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from the place name Rodda in Cornwall.

What does the Rodda map show?

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