NameCensus.

UK surname

Rodford

In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Rodford surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 144, ranked #24,390, down from #23,062 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bedminster, Tormoham with Torquay and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, Camden and Wiltshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rodford is 190 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 94.6%.

1881 census count

74

Ranked #23,062

Modern count

144

2016, ranked #24,390

Peak year

1861

190 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rodford had 74 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,062 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016, ranked #24,390.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 190 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rodford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rodford surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rodford 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 81 #19,457
1861 historical 190 #12,520
1881 historical 74 #23,062
1891 historical 161 #17,473
1901 historical 143 #18,570
1911 historical 147 #18,104
1997 modern 155 #20,684
1998 modern 149 #21,755
1999 modern 156 #21,290
2000 modern 149 #21,874
2001 modern 144 #22,040
2002 modern 158 #21,178
2003 modern 157 #21,026
2004 modern 157 #21,168
2005 modern 164 #20,552
2006 modern 159 #21,148
2007 modern 158 #21,464
2008 modern 158 #21,690
2009 modern 154 #22,536
2010 modern 161 #22,385
2011 modern 162 #22,101
2012 modern 151 #23,166
2013 modern 149 #23,765
2014 modern 146 #24,274
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 144 #24,390

Geography

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Where Rodfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bedminster, Tormoham with Torquay, London parishes and Perrott, South. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, Camden, Wiltshire and Harrow. 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 Bedminster Somerset
2 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 Perrott, South Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 009 South Somerset
2 Camden 018 Camden
3 South Somerset 018 South Somerset
4 Wiltshire 039 Wiltshire
5 Harrow 013 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rodford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rodford

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Rodford 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

Rodford is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rodford falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

1881 census detail

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Rodford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rodford 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. Somerset leads with 27 Rodfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.63x.

County Total Index
Somerset 27 22.63x
Middlesex 22 2.97x
Surrey 11 3.05x
Leicestershire 6 7.30x
Devon 5 3.24x
Channel Islands 2 9.11x
Northumberland 2 1.81x
Berkshire 1 1.80x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Martock in Somerset leads with 19 Rodfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 2435.90x.

Place Total Index
Martock 19 2435.90x
Camberwell 7 14.79x
St George Hanover 7 72.39x
Leicester St Margaret 6 29.94x
Paddington London 6 22.02x
Islington London 5 6.96x
Tormoham 5 76.57x
Clerkenwell London 4 22.87x
Battersea 3 11.00x
North Perrott 3 3750.00x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 34.97x
St Peter Port 2 49.26x
Dinder 1 2000.00x
Great Bookham 1 357.14x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 32.05x
Reading St Lawrence 1 84.03x
Taunton St Mary 1 45.66x
Walcot 1 15.75x
Yeovil 1 41.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 3
William 3
Edward 2
Henry 2
James 2
Joseph 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Earnest 1
Edwd. 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
George 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hy. 1
Reginald 1

FAQ

Rodford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rodford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Rodford surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rodford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016. That gives Rodford a modern rank of #24,390.

What does the Rodford map show?

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