NameCensus.

UK surname

Ronson

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "Rohan's town".

In the 1881 census there were 299 people recorded with the Ronson surname, ranking it #9,740 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 420, ranked #11,414, down from #9,740 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Carlisle St Cuthbert, Poulton and Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wyre.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ronson is 422 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.5%.

1881 census count

299

Ranked #9,740

Modern count

420

2016, ranked #11,414

Peak year

2013

422 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ronson had 299 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,740 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 420 in 2016, ranked #11,414.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 367 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Ronson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ronson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ronson 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 131 #14,243
1861 historical 200 #12,005
1881 historical 299 #9,740
1891 historical 232 #13,429
1901 historical 289 #11,944
1911 historical 367 #9,914
1997 modern 390 #11,215
1998 modern 399 #11,354
1999 modern 415 #11,136
2000 modern 412 #11,165
2001 modern 399 #11,252
2002 modern 405 #11,335
2003 modern 417 #10,924
2004 modern 408 #11,117
2005 modern 411 #10,956
2006 modern 405 #11,131
2007 modern 406 #11,249
2008 modern 410 #11,245
2009 modern 412 #11,461
2010 modern 415 #11,654
2011 modern 402 #11,828
2012 modern 403 #11,662
2013 modern 422 #11,436
2014 modern 420 #11,567
2015 modern 420 #11,458
2016 modern 420 #11,414

Geography

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Where Ronsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Carlisle St Cuthbert, Poulton, Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling), Lancaster and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wyre. 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 Carlisle St Cuthbert Cumberland
2 Poulton Lancashire
3 Cockerham (Ellel), Lancaster (Preesall with Hackersall) , Garstang (Pilling) Lancashire
4 Lancaster Lancashire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wyre 004 Wyre
2 Wyre 009 Wyre
3 Wyre 012 Wyre
4 Wyre 007 Wyre
5 Wyre 011 Wyre

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ronson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ronson

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Ronson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Ronson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Ronson is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ronson is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ronson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ronson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Ronson

The surname Ronson is believed to have originated in England in the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "run" meaning a boundary or stream, and "son" meaning a son or descendant. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a boundary or stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Runessune". This historical record provides evidence that the name was in use in England before the Norman Conquest.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "Ronsone" and "Rounson" in various records and manuscripts from different parts of England. This indicates that the name was widespread and had established itself across the country.

In the 14th century, a notable figure with the surname Ronson was Sir William Ronson (1320-1387), a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War and was renowned for his bravery on the battlefield.

Another prominent individual with this surname was John Ronson (1522-1598), a merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He was known for his successful trading ventures and philanthropic activities.

During the 16th century, the name Ronson was also associated with the village of Ronson in Derbyshire, which may have derived its name from the same Old English roots as the surname.

In the 18th century, a notable figure was Sir Thomas Ronson (1710-1782), a British politician and Member of Parliament who played a significant role in the debates surrounding the American Revolution.

Another individual with this surname was Mary Ronson (1789-1864), a renowned writer and poet whose works explored themes of nature and the human condition.

Throughout history, variations of the spelling have included Ronnson, Rounson, and Ronsone, reflecting the evolution of language and regional dialects.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ronson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ronson 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 183 Ronsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.32x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 183 5.32x
Cumberland 46 18.44x
Nottinghamshire 14 3.59x
Renfrewshire 9 4.01x
Staffordshire 8 0.82x
Cheshire 7 1.09x
Middlesex 6 0.21x
Surrey 6 0.43x
Argyllshire 4 4.96x
Lincolnshire 4 0.86x
Yorkshire 4 0.14x
Cornwall 2 0.61x
Angus 1 0.37x
Essex 1 0.17x
Warwickshire 1 0.14x
Westmorland 1 1.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preesall With in Lancashire leads with 36 Ronsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4285.71x.

Place Total Index
Preesall With 36 4285.71x
Pilling 31 1925.47x
Thornton In Fylde 19 252.66x
Stalmine With Staynall 15 3000.00x
Everton 10 9.13x
Nottingham St Mary 10 9.90x
Dalston 9 466.32x
Forton 9 1525.42x
West Greenock 9 22.33x
Wetheral 9 272.73x
Great Little Marsden 8 50.79x
Halton 8 1095.89x
Liverpool 8 3.83x
Poulton Le Fylde 8 655.74x
Walsall Foreign 7 13.86x
Thursby 6 1132.08x
Hutton 5 1282.05x
Samlesbury 5 657.89x
St Cuthbert W O Upperby 5 735.29x
Alford 4 139.37x
Barrow In Furness 4 8.55x
Caldewgate 4 29.26x
Campbeltown 4 41.11x
Chester St Mary On Hill 4 72.86x
Cummersdale 4 470.59x
Lambeth 4 1.58x
Skirwith 4 1481.48x
Snenton 4 26.08x
Cockerham 3 340.91x
Hambleton 3 769.23x
Bradford 2 2.88x
Carnforth 2 105.82x
Kirkdale 2 3.46x
Macclesfield 2 7.03x
Sculcoates 2 4.39x
St Stephens By Saltash 2 141.84x
Applethwaite 1 52.63x
Ardwick 1 3.22x
Battersea 1 0.94x
Burgh By Sands 1 123.46x
Caldbeck 1 85.47x
Cannock 1 5.86x
Chester St John Baptist 1 8.70x
Enfield 1 5.26x
Forfar 1 6.88x
Fulwood 1 26.95x
Hardhorn With Newton 1 238.10x
Harwick St Nicholas 1 111.11x
Islington London 1 0.36x
Lancaster 1 4.89x
Layton With Warbreck 1 7.92x
Leamington Priors 1 5.56x
Ratcliffe London 1 6.25x
Rickergate 1 18.94x
St Bartholomew Less 1 67.11x
St Bees 1 86.96x
St Cuthbert Within 1 34.60x
St George Hanover 1 2.64x
St Pancras London 1 0.43x
Walton On Hill 1 5.37x
Weeton With Preece 1 238.10x
Weybridge 1 33.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 14
Jane 12
Mary 12
Margaret 11
Ann 6
Annie 5
Ellen 5
Isabella 5
Sarah 5
Agnes 4
Alice 4
Hannah 4
Ada 2
Anne 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Janet 2
Margery 2
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Cecily 1
Dinah 1
Dorothy 1
Esther 1
Harriet 1
Jennet 1
Jenny 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
M. 1
Marget 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Mariam 1
Martha 1
Mgt. 1
Mollie 1
Nancy 1
Nellie 1
Priscilla 1
Rebecca 1
Rosanna 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 25
William 20
Thomas 12
James 11
George 8
Henry 8
Joseph 7
Richard 7
Robert 7
Samuel 5
Christopher 3
Albert 2
Anthony 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Francis 2
Rodger 2
Roger 2
Thos. 2
Threlfall 2
Benjamin 1
Benjamine 1
Charles 1
David 1
Ed. 1
Edwin 1
Eugene 1
Frank 1
Garnet 1
Harry 1
Jno. 1
Jos. 1
Orlando 1
Septimus 1
Solomon 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Ronson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ronson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 299 people were recorded with the Ronson surname. That placed it at #9,740 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ronson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 420 in 2016. That gives Ronson a modern rank of #11,414.

What does the Ronson surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "Rohan's town".

What does the Ronson map show?

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