UK surname
An anglicized Scottish surname derived from the personal name Ronald, meaning "ruler's counsel".
In the 1881 census there were 59 people recorded with the Ronalds surname, ranking it #25,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #25,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, Cumbernauld and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ronalds is 142 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.4%.
1881 census count
59
Ranked #25,281
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1861
142 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Ronalds surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Ronalds surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 78 | #19,840 |
| 1861 | historical | 142 | #15,982 |
| 1881 | historical | 59 | #25,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 59 | #29,325 |
| 1901 | historical | 50 | #28,590 |
| 1911 | historical | 41 | #28,802 |
| 1997 | modern | 28 | #34,904 |
| 1998 | modern | 34 | #34,433 |
| 1999 | modern | 32 | #34,717 |
| 2000 | modern | 34 | #34,517 |
| 2001 | modern | 32 | #34,537 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 30 | #35,186 |
| 2005 | modern | 30 | #35,347 |
| 2006 | modern | 29 | #35,605 |
| 2007 | modern | 33 | #35,461 |
| 2008 | modern | 31 | #35,670 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 34 | #35,756 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, Cumbernauld, Govan Combination, London parishes and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | Cumbernauld | Dunbarton |
| 3 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Ronalds surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ronalds, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Ronalds surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Ronalds household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Ronalds is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ronalds is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Ronalds, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Ronalds is believed to have originated in Scotland, with the earliest known records dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Celtic name Ronald, which means "ruler's counsellor" or "powerful ruler." The name is thought to have evolved from the Old Norse name Rögnvaldr, which was brought to Scotland by Viking settlers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ronalds can be found in the Scottish Parish Records from the late 16th century. These records document the births, marriages, and deaths of individuals with the surname Ronalds in various parishes throughout Scotland.
In the 17th century, the name Ronalds appeared in the Scottish Hearth Tax Rolls, which were records of households and their tax obligations. This suggests that the Ronalds family had established themselves as landowners or householders during this period.
One notable figure with the surname Ronalds was Sir Francis Ronalds (1788-1873), an English scientist and inventor who is credited with developing the first successful electric telegraph system in 1816. His work laid the foundation for modern telecommunications.
Another prominent individual with the Ronalds surname was Edmund Ronalds (1819-1889), a British botanist and horticulturist. He is known for his contributions to the study of plant physiology and his work on the cultivation of orchids.
In the late 19th century, a branch of the Ronalds family migrated from Scotland to Australia. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in Australia is William Ronalds (1850-1920), who was a successful businessman and philanthropist in Melbourne.
The Ronalds surname can also be traced back to Ireland, where it is believed to be a variant of the Irish surname Reynolds. One notable figure with this variation of the name was Sir Joshua Reynold Ronalds (1775-1861), an Irish-born British naval officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of the British Virgin Islands.
Another individual of note with the Ronalds surname was Hugh Ronalds (1919-1998), a Scottish actor and director. He had a successful career in theatre and television, appearing in numerous productions throughout the United Kingdom.
While the surname Ronalds is relatively uncommon, it has a rich history and has been borne by several notable individuals across various fields, including science, horticulture, business, and the arts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ronalds surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 9 Ronalds' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.59x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.59x |
| Midlothian | 8 | 10.56x |
| Wigtownshire | 7 | 93.21x |
| Dunbartonshire | 6 | 39.47x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 3.20x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 2.19x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.60x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.54x |
| Ayrshire | 2 | 4.72x |
| Herefordshire | 2 | 8.62x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 3.41x |
| Buteshire | 1 | 29.15x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.59x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.52x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.15x |
| Renfrewshire | 1 | 2.28x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.52x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.36x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.05x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Penninghame in Wigtownshire leads with 7 Ronalds' recorded in 1881 and an index of 909.09x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Penninghame | 7 | 909.09x |
| Cumbernauld | 6 | 722.89x |
| Islington London | 6 | 10.94x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 5 | 16.40x |
| Bollington In | 4 | 360.36x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 3 | 28.14x |
| Liberton | 3 | 256.41x |
| Kilwinning | 2 | 145.99x |
| Lea Upper | 2 | 10000.00x |
| Barony | 1 | 2.16x |
| Bedford St Peter | 1 | 131.58x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 4.07x |
| Bowling | 1 | 18.02x |
| Brighton | 1 | 5.20x |
| Buckland In Dover | 1 | 156.25x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 5.87x |
| Coulsdon | 1 | 200.00x |
| Cumbrae | 1 | 277.78x |
| Ditchingham | 1 | 476.19x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 3.08x |
| Govan | 1 | 2.21x |
| Great Crosby | 1 | 54.64x |
| Haworth | 1 | 75.19x |
| Hayes | 1 | 172.41x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 1 | 13.72x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 7.42x |
| Old Monkland | 1 | 13.77x |
| Stafford St Mary | 1 | 37.04x |
| West Greenock | 1 | 12.71x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ronalds surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Ronalds surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Ronalds households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| C S Clerk High Court Justice | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Groom (Dom) | 1 |
| Hosier | 1 |
| Machine Labourer (S/M) | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Retired Chemical Manu | 1 |
| Sister Of Mercy Nun | 1 |
| Spinner In A Worsted Mill | 1 |
| Tie Maker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 59 people were recorded with the Ronalds surname. That placed it at #25,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Ronalds a modern rank of #35,768.
An anglicized Scottish surname derived from the personal name Ronald, meaning "ruler's counsel".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ronalds bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.