NameCensus.

UK surname

Roddy

A Scottish surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Roderick, meaning "famous ruler."

In the 1881 census there were 290 people recorded with the Roddy surname, ranking it #9,946 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 858, ranked #6,528, up from #9,946 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlington, Leeds and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Darlington, Sunderland and Selby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roddy is 927 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 195.9%.

1881 census count

290

Ranked #9,946

Modern count

858

2016, ranked #6,528

Peak year

1999

927 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roddy had 290 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,946 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 858 in 2016, ranked #6,528.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 435 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Roddy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Roddy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roddy 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 169 #11,832
1861 historical 181 #12,997
1881 historical 290 #9,946
1891 historical 310 #10,812
1901 historical 435 #8,922
1911 historical 430 #8,804
1997 modern 869 #6,130
1998 modern 897 #6,174
1999 modern 927 #6,065
2000 modern 895 #6,200
2001 modern 888 #6,135
2002 modern 870 #6,353
2003 modern 837 #6,417
2004 modern 835 #6,431
2005 modern 857 #6,274
2006 modern 844 #6,355
2007 modern 831 #6,491
2008 modern 849 #6,431
2009 modern 868 #6,465
2010 modern 926 #6,241
2011 modern 892 #6,359
2012 modern 863 #6,446
2013 modern 864 #6,553
2014 modern 862 #6,601
2015 modern 859 #6,543
2016 modern 858 #6,528

Geography

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Where Roddys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Darlington, Sunderland, Selby and Cheshire West and Chester. 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 Darlington Durham
2 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 West Derby Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Darlington 006 Darlington
2 Sunderland 017 Sunderland
3 Selby 005 Selby
4 Darlington 004 Darlington
5 Cheshire West and Chester 031 Cheshire West and Chester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roddy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roddy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Roddy, 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 Roddy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Roddy 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Roddy is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Roddy is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Roddy 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 Roddy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Roddy

The surname Roddy is believed to have originated in Scotland during the medieval period. It is derived from the Celtic name Rothaidh, which means "the red one" or "the ruddy one," likely referring to a person's hair color or complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Scottish Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. Here, the name appears as "Rothy" and "Rothe."

In the 15th century, the name was also spelled as "Rothie" and "Rothy" in various Scottish records and manuscripts. Some variations, such as "Roddey" and "Roddie," emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Roddy surname is particularly associated with the regions of Aberdeenshire and Angus in Scotland, where it is believed to have originated. It is also found in other parts of the country, such as the Scottish Borders and the Highlands.

One notable person with the surname Roddy was George Roddy (1785-1854), a Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Edinburgh, including the Royal Scottish Academy and the High School.

Another prominent figure was Sir George Roddy (1892-1971), a British army officer who served in both World Wars and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery.

In the 18th century, a man named James Roddy (1728-1794) was a prominent merchant and landowner in Pennsylvania, United States. He is considered one of the earliest bearers of the surname in North America.

The Roddy name was also represented in the arts, with John Roddy (1870-1934), an Irish-born American actor who appeared in several silent films and stage productions in the early 20th century.

Finally, William Roddy (1925-2007) was a Canadian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the House of Commons of Canada from 1968 to 1979, representing the riding of Middlesex.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roddy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roddy 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 72 Roddys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.15x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 72 2.15x
Yorkshire 64 2.28x
Lanarkshire 19 2.08x
Durham 15 1.78x
Staffordshire 12 1.26x
Worcestershire 12 3.25x
Middlesex 10 0.35x
Renfrewshire 10 4.56x
Warwickshire 10 1.40x
Hampshire 8 1.38x
Northumberland 8 1.90x
Midlothian 7 1.85x
Cheshire 6 0.96x
Wiltshire 6 2.40x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.31x
Cumberland 4 1.64x
Glamorgan 4 0.81x
Fife 2 1.19x
Monmouthshire 2 0.98x
Sussex 2 0.42x
West Lothian 2 4.69x
Berkshire 1 0.47x
Derbyshire 1 0.23x
Dorset 1 0.54x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.32x
Gloucestershire 1 0.18x
Hertfordshire 1 0.51x
Kent 1 0.10x
Leicestershire 1 0.32x
Northamptonshire 1 0.38x
Wigtownshire 1 2.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Keighley in Yorkshire leads with 17 Roddys recorded in 1881 and an index of 56.89x.

Place Total Index
Keighley 17 56.89x
Liverpool 13 6.38x
Barony 12 5.18x
Leeds 11 6.95x
Oldham 11 10.15x
Birmingham 9 3.79x
West Derby 9 9.17x
Abbey 8 23.92x
Bingley 8 44.82x
Middlesbrough 8 21.92x
Barton Upon Irwell 7 27.70x
Linthorpe 7 41.84x
Manchester 7 4.64x
Portsea 7 6.16x
Alvechurch 6 382.17x
Devizes St James 6 180.72x
Huddersfield 6 14.69x
Islington London 6 2.19x
Kings Norton 6 18.12x
Beswick 5 58.28x
Glasgow 5 3.08x
Greasley 5 58.14x
Warrington 5 12.57x
Washington 5 141.64x
York Holy Trinity 5 206.61x
Burslem 4 14.63x
Crosscanonby 4 49.69x
Edinburgh Tron Church 4 224.72x
Gorton 4 12.68x
Lamesley 4 88.30x
Longbenton 4 22.43x
Lichfield St Michael 3 100.00x
Salford 3 3.04x
South Leith 3 7.04x
Ardwick 2 6.61x
Burnley 2 7.07x
Byker 2 9.61x
Cardiff St John 2 12.43x
Cardiff St Mary 2 7.37x
Caverswall 2 40.32x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 3.75x
Hutton Henry 2 112.99x
Linlithgow 2 36.63x
Newport 2 20.49x
Port Glasgow 2 18.87x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 1.98x
Sunderland 2 13.46x
Tynemouth 2 8.87x
Admington 1 714.29x
Alverstoke 1 4.76x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.38x
Bradford 1 1.47x
Cardross 1 10.95x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 4.69x
Croxton 1 2000.00x
Dunfermline 1 3.88x
Falsgrave 1 24.21x
Gawsworth 1 175.44x
Govan 1 0.44x
Great Addington 1 322.58x
Great Budworth 1 90.09x
Hastings St Mary 1 8.42x
Hove 1 4.78x
Ince In Makerfield 1 6.40x
Kensington London 1 0.64x
Long Eaton 1 17.09x
New Monkland 1 3.70x
Newburgh 1 46.95x
Norton 1 303.03x
Onston 1 1111.11x
Portland 1 10.02x
Spitalfields London 1 4.70x
St Marylebone London 1 0.66x
St Pancras London 1 0.44x
Tanfield 1 9.99x
Wardleworth 1 5.21x
Watford 1 6.61x
Whittington 1 51.28x
Whitwick 1 25.06x
Wigtown 1 46.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 28
Bridget 8
Catherine 7
Ellen 6
Margaret 6
Sarah 6
Jane 5
Ann 4
Annie 4
Elizabeth 3
Maria 2
Rose 2
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Calinne 1
Catharine 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Eliza 1
Elizbth. 1
Ellin 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Evaleen 1
Fanny 1
Francis 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Honora 1
Kate 1
Leillan 1
Lettitia 1
Louisa 1
Maggie 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Marrey 1
Martha 1
May 1
Rosanna 1
Sabind 1
Theresa 1
Winnie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
Thomas 22
James 13
Patrick 13
Joseph 6
Edward 4
Michael 4
Anthony 3
Charles 3
William 3
Andrew 2
Bernard 2
David 2
Francis 2
Hugh 2
Luke 2
Matthew 2
Peter 2
Robert 2
Timothy 2
Alphonso 1
Arthur 1
Benjiman 1
Benjimin 1
Cornelus 1
Cyril 1
Dominick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Jno. 1
Louis 1
Maria 1
Martin 1
Mitchal 1
Pat. 1
Patric 1
Simon 1

FAQ

Roddy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roddy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 290 people were recorded with the Roddy surname. That placed it at #9,946 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roddy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 858 in 2016. That gives Roddy a modern rank of #6,528.

What does the Roddy surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a diminutive form of the given name Roderick, meaning "famous ruler."

What does the Roddy map show?

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