NameCensus.

UK surname

Rodden

Derived from a place name meaning "a clearing in the woods" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 156 people recorded with the Rodden surname, ranking it #15,114 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 699, ranked #7,712, up from #15,114 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Keppochhill, Possil Park and Methil West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rodden is 722 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 348.1%.

1881 census count

156

Ranked #15,114

Modern count

699

2016, ranked #7,712

Peak year

2010

722 bearers

Map years

6

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rodden had 156 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,114 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 699 in 2016, ranked #7,712.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 249 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Rodden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rodden surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rodden 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 74 #20,443
1861 historical 93 #22,009
1881 historical 156 #15,114
1891 historical 170 #16,816
1901 historical 249 #13,172
1911 historical 66 #26,249
1997 modern 617 #7,988
1998 modern 633 #8,076
1999 modern 623 #8,224
2000 modern 640 #8,031
2001 modern 621 #8,078
2002 modern 640 #8,050
2003 modern 633 #7,986
2004 modern 631 #8,018
2005 modern 640 #7,855
2006 modern 647 #7,829
2007 modern 659 #7,784
2008 modern 660 #7,817
2009 modern 696 #7,673
2010 modern 722 #7,599
2011 modern 709 #7,627
2012 modern 705 #7,562
2013 modern 690 #7,817
2014 modern 697 #7,798
2015 modern 695 #7,756
2016 modern 699 #7,712

Geography

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Where Roddens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dumfries and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Keppochhill, Possil Park, Methil West, Newcastle upon Tyne and Kilbirnie North. 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 New Monkland Lanark
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dumfries Dumfries
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Keppochhill Glasgow City
2 Possil Park Glasgow City
3 Methil West Fife
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 014 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 Kilbirnie North North Ayrshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rodden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rodden

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Routine Occupations or Retirement

Nationally, the Rodden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Rodden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are characterised by high proportions of single, often never-married adults of normal retirement age or older, including many that are in the most advanced age groups. Most adults are UK born and live at high residential densities, and many of the children living with parents are in adulthood. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are uncommon, but above average proportions of households include individuals that identify with different ethnic groups. Long-term disability is relatively common, and the dominant accommodation type is flats. Unemployment rates are high, with most of those employed working in routine occupations. Few individuals have high level qualifications. Car ownership is not high.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Rodden 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

Rodden 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

Rodden 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 Rodden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Rodden

The surname RODDEN originates from England, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period, specifically the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "rod" and "denu," which collectively translate to "valley of the clearing" or "valley with many clearings." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have resided in or near a valley that had been cleared for agricultural or settlement purposes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the RODDEN name can be found in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in its earliest form, "Rodedene," which over time evolved into the more modern spelling of RODDEN.

In the 13th century, records from the county of Staffordshire mention a John de Rodden, a landholder in the village of Rodden, which likely took its name from the surname itself. This village's name was originally spelled as "Rodedene," further reinforcing the connection between the place name and the surname's origins.

During the 16th century, the RODDEN surname gained notable prominence with the birth of Sir John Rodden (1524-1593), a renowned English soldier and military commander who served under Queen Elizabeth I. His bravery and leadership during the Anglo-Spanish War earned him widespread recognition and elevated the family's status.

Another notable figure bearing the RODDEN surname was William Rodden (1676-1741), an influential merchant and landowner from Yorkshire. His successful business ventures and philanthropic efforts left a lasting impact on the local community, with a church and a public house bearing his name as a tribute.

In the 19th century, the RODDEN family produced a distinguished scholar and historian, James Rodden (1812-1887). His extensive research and publications on the history of England and the British Empire earned him recognition from academic institutions and garnered respect among his contemporaries.

As the centuries progressed, the RODDEN surname continued to spread across various regions of England, with some bearers migrating to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to the colonies in North America and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rodden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rodden 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. Lanarkshire leads with 52 Roddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.70x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 52 10.70x
Renfrewshire 29 24.91x
Durham 15 3.36x
Lancashire 9 0.50x
Middlesex 7 0.47x
Kent 6 1.17x
Surrey 5 0.68x
Berwickshire 4 21.99x
Roxburghshire 4 14.70x
Yorkshire 4 0.27x
East Lothian 3 15.08x
Midlothian 3 1.49x
Angus 2 1.44x
Ayrshire 2 1.78x
Cumberland 2 1.55x
Lincolnshire 2 0.83x
Devon 1 0.32x
Dunbartonshire 1 2.48x
Hampshire 1 0.32x
Stirlingshire 1 1.81x
Westmorland 1 3.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. New Monkland in Lanarkshire leads with 14 Roddens recorded in 1881 and an index of 97.49x.

Place Total Index
New Monkland 14 97.49x
Glasgow 10 11.59x
Govan 10 8.32x
Old Monkland 9 46.68x
Paisley High Church 9 97.09x
Eastwood 8 111.58x
Brandon Byshottles 7 125.00x
East Greenock 7 63.69x
Hartlepool 5 78.74x
Newington 5 9.01x
West Derby 5 9.59x
Abbey 4 22.52x
Lauder 4 396.04x
Lewisham 4 14.64x
Rutherglen 4 56.10x
Soothill 4 74.35x
Barony 3 2.44x
Gorton 3 17.90x
Hawick 3 49.26x
Mile End Old Town 3 12.65x
Brampton 2 112.99x
Dundee 2 3.85x
Framwellgate 2 75.47x
Gillingham 2 18.92x
Holbeach 2 74.91x
Islington London 2 1.37x
Shettleston 2 45.98x
Whitekirk Tynninghame 2 370.37x
Aldershot 1 9.70x
Cavers 1 147.06x
Colton 1 107.53x
Crossgate 1 51.28x
Edinburgh New North 1 57.14x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.24x
Edinburgh Trinity 1 153.85x
Haddington 1 34.01x
Kendal 1 16.56x
Kensington London 1 1.20x
Loudoun 1 37.04x
Mearns 1 49.02x
New Kilpatrick 1 26.04x
Old Cumnock 1 40.00x
Paddington London 1 1.81x
Slamannan 1 33.00x
Stoke Damerel 1 4.57x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

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 Rodden households.

FAQ

Rodden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rodden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 156 people were recorded with the Rodden surname. That placed it at #15,114 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rodden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 699 in 2016. That gives Rodden a modern rank of #7,712.

What does the Rodden surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "a clearing in the woods" in Old English.

What does the Rodden map show?

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