NameCensus.

UK surname

Rolling

Occupational surname for someone who operated a roller press, likely for pressing cloth or paper.

In the 1881 census there were 288 people recorded with the Rolling surname, ranking it #9,988 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 181, ranked #20,955, down from #9,988 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mevagissey, Silkstone and Rudham, East. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Garelochhead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rolling is 345 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 37.2%.

1881 census count

288

Ranked #9,988

Modern count

181

2016, ranked #20,955

Peak year

1911

345 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rolling had 288 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,988 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016, ranked #20,955.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 345 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rolling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rolling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rolling 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 303 #7,590
1861 historical 284 #8,845
1881 historical 288 #9,988
1891 historical 305 #10,976
1901 historical 311 #11,363
1911 historical 345 #10,358
1997 modern 186 #18,448
1998 modern 191 #18,624
1999 modern 186 #19,073
2000 modern 188 #18,916
2001 modern 180 #19,161
2002 modern 178 #19,671
2003 modern 178 #19,489
2004 modern 154 #21,432
2005 modern 153 #21,490
2006 modern 159 #21,148
2007 modern 162 #21,115
2008 modern 165 #21,056
2009 modern 176 #20,632
2010 modern 175 #21,186
2011 modern 171 #21,337
2012 modern 179 #20,679
2013 modern 184 #20,643
2014 modern 186 #20,664
2015 modern 184 #20,719
2016 modern 181 #20,955

Geography

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Where Rollings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mevagissey, Silkstone, Rudham, East, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and St Mary Bishopshill Senior. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Garelochhead. 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 Mevagissey Cornwall
2 Silkstone Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Rudham, East Norfolk
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 St Mary Bishopshill Senior Yorkshire, East Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 059 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 028 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 046 Cornwall
4 Garelochhead Argyll and Bute
5 Cornwall 049 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rolling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rolling

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Rolling is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rolling is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Rolling

The surname Rolling is of English origin, deriving from the Old English word 'rollan', which means to roll or revolve. It is thought to have originally been an occupational surname given to someone who worked as a roller of cloth or other materials.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Rolling can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were medieval census records compiled for taxation purposes. These records mention individuals named Roger le Rollere and William le Rollere, both of whom were likely employed in the cloth trade.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms such as Rollyng, Rollinge, and Rollingis in various county records across England. One notable example is John Rollyng, who was listed as a resident of Oxfordshire in 1379.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname Rolling began to appear more frequently in parish records and legal documents throughout England. One notable bearer of this name was Sir Thomas Rolling (1556-1629), a wealthy merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1619.

Another prominent figure with the surname Rolling was Sir John Rolling (1618-1689), a Member of Parliament and landowner in Hertfordshire. He was knighted by King Charles II in 1660.

In the 18th century, the surname Rolling was found in various parts of England, with concentrations in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. One notable bearer from this period was Edward Rolling (1737-1809), a renowned clockmaker from London.

Other notable individuals with the surname Rolling include Sir Robert Rolling (1802-1881), a British naval officer and explorer who mapped parts of the Arctic region, and Emily Rolling (1845-1923), a pioneering female journalist and writer from Lancashire.

It is worth noting that the name Rolling has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Rolling Fields in Hertfordshire and Rolling Hills in Lincolnshire, further reinforcing its connection to the concept of rolling or revolving.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rolling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rolling 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 83 Rollings recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.01x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 83 26.01x
Yorkshire 49 1.75x
Norfolk 33 7.61x
Lancashire 22 0.66x
Nottinghamshire 21 5.53x
Durham 15 1.79x
Middlesex 14 0.50x
Suffolk 14 4.08x
Surrey 13 0.95x
Cambridgeshire 5 2.80x
Northumberland 5 1.19x
Cumberland 4 1.65x
Devon 3 0.51x
Gloucestershire 1 0.18x
Kent 1 0.10x
Leicestershire 1 0.32x
Lincolnshire 1 0.22x
Northamptonshire 1 0.38x
Radnorshire 1 4.40x
Royal Navy 1 2.98x
Sussex 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Falmouth in Cornwall leads with 31 Rollings recorded in 1881 and an index of 274.34x.

Place Total Index
Falmouth 31 274.34x
Great Yarmouth 18 50.13x
Gorleston 14 160.55x
St Austell 14 128.32x
East Rudham 11 1428.57x
St Veep 11 2115.38x
Elvet 10 165.29x
Mevagissey 10 471.70x
Farnham 8 74.91x
Thurgoland 8 425.53x
Everton 7 6.57x
Liverpool 7 3.45x
Mansfield 7 53.23x
Warsop 7 693.07x
York St Mary 6 51.86x
Doncaster 5 24.50x
Duloe 5 531.91x
Hunslet 5 11.48x
Penistone 5 229.36x
Usworth 5 112.36x
Wimblington 5 476.19x
Arlecdon 4 62.02x
Bermondsey 4 4.77x
Greasley 4 46.67x
Hexham 4 61.63x
Phillack 4 97.09x
St Marylebone London 4 2.66x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 3 11.53x
Carlton In Barnsley 3 285.71x
Darton 3 104.90x
Featherstone 3 95.54x
Kirkdale 3 5.33x
Lanlivery 3 223.88x
Norwich St Michael At 3 119.52x
Padstow 3 141.51x
Poplar London 3 5.64x
Wombwell 3 36.81x
York St Crux 3 379.75x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.63x
Norwood 2 31.01x
Paddington London 2 1.93x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 4.42x
Worksop 2 17.75x
Brighton 1 1.04x
Broadoak 1 357.14x
Cheltenham 1 2.34x
Ecclesfield 1 4.88x
Farington 1 51.28x
Houghton On The Hill 1 250.00x
Kettering 1 9.32x
Lewisham 1 1.95x
Newchurch 1 3.65x
Old Radnor Kinnerton 1 500.00x
Royal Navy 1 3.48x
South Creake 1 102.04x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 1.76x
Southwell 1 36.10x
Spittlegate 1 16.05x
St George Hanover 1 2.72x
St Mewan 1 102.04x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.43x
Todmorden Walsden 1 11.16x
Walton On Hill 1 5.52x
West Derby 1 1.02x
Westgate 1 3.85x
York Holy Trinity 1 41.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 10
Annie 9
Alice 4
Ann 4
Jane 4
Ellen 3
Emma 3
Harriet 3
Anne 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Hannah 2
Harriett 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Priscilla 2
Susanna 2
Agnes 1
Anna 1
Beata 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Cordelia 1
E.Louisa 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Florence 1
Georgiana 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hilda 1
Honor 1
Julia 1
Laviniah 1
Lily 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
May 1
Melinda 1
Nancy 1
Nellie 1
Phillippa 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 21
George 14
Charles 10
Edward 8
James 5
Arthur 4
Henry 4
Thomas 4
Walter 4
Francis 3
Frank 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Jonathan 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Thurlow 3
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Sarah 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Archibald 1
Benj. 1
Benjamin 1
Charley 1
Daniel 1
Edgar 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Hector 1
Josep 1
Mark 1
Mary 1
Octavious 1
Ophraim 1
Orlando 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Saml. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Rolling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rolling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 288 people were recorded with the Rolling surname. That placed it at #9,988 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rolling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016. That gives Rolling a modern rank of #20,955.

What does the Rolling surname mean?

Occupational surname for someone who operated a roller press, likely for pressing cloth or paper.

What does the Rolling map show?

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