UK surname
An old spelling variation of the surname Roper, referring to a rope maker or seller.
In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Rooper surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 14, ranked #37,178, down from #24,420 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Paddington and King's Lynn St Margaret. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rooper is 140 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.5%.
1881 census count
65
Ranked #24,420
Modern count
14
2016, ranked #37,178
Peak year
1861
140 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rooper surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rooper surname density by area, 1891 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 | 56 | #23,235 |
| 1861 | historical | 140 | #16,169 |
| 1881 | historical | 65 | #24,420 |
| 1891 | historical | 103 | #23,558 |
| 1901 | historical | 53 | #28,271 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 13 | #36,679 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 9 | #37,051 |
| 2003 | modern | 9 | #37,101 |
| 2004 | modern | 11 | #36,969 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 9 | #37,345 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 10 | #37,517 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 17 | #36,857 |
| 2014 | modern | 17 | #36,888 |
| 2015 | modern | 16 | #36,978 |
| 2016 | modern | 14 | #37,178 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Paddington, King's Lynn St Margaret, Watford and Wootton Fitzpaine, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bettiscombe, Marshwood. 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 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 2 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | King's Lynn St Margaret | Norfolk |
| 4 | Watford | Hertfordshire |
| 5 | Wootton Fitzpaine, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bettiscombe, Marshwood | Dorset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rooper 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 Rooper, 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 Rooper surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rooper 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, Rooper 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 Rooper is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rooper, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname ROOPER has its origins traced back to England, where it first emerged in the early 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hrop," which means "roper" or "rope maker." This occupation-based surname was likely given to individuals who were involved in the trade of making ropes, a crucial industry during that time period.
The earliest known record of the ROOPER surname dates back to 1273 in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, where it was listed as "Robert le Ropere." This historic document served as a census-like record of landowners and tenants in England during the reign of King Edward I.
In the 14th century, the ROOPER surname appeared in various forms, such as "Ropere," "Roper," and "Rooper," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common in those days. One notable figure from this era was John Roper, who lived in the town of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, between 1320 and 1380.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the ROOPER surname. However, it does mention several place names that may have contributed to the surname's development, such as Ropsley in Lincolnshire and Ropley in Hampshire.
During the 16th century, the ROOPER surname gained prominence with the birth of Margaret Roper (1505-1544), the daughter of Sir Thomas More, the renowned English philosopher, scholar, and Lord Chancellor of England. Margaret Roper played a significant role in preserving her father's literary works and is remembered for her unwavering loyalty to him during his imprisonment and execution.
Another notable figure with the ROOPER surname was Samuel Roper (1633-1700), an English Puritan minister and author who served as the chaplain to the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Roper's writings, including his influential work "A Treatise of the Conscience," contributed to the theological discourse of his time.
In the 18th century, John Roper (1723-1804) was a prominent English civil engineer and surveyor who oversaw the construction of several important infrastructure projects, including the Grand Union Canal and the Regent's Canal in London.
Moving into the 19th century, Martha Roper (1862-1938) was a pioneering British educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded the Roper School for Girls in Bath, which provided educational opportunities for young women at a time when access to education was limited.
These historical figures and records illustrate the rich heritage and diverse backgrounds associated with the ROOPER surname, reflecting its enduring presence throughout the centuries in various aspects of English society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rooper 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 15 Roopers recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.26x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 15 | 2.26x |
| Norfolk | 11 | 10.79x |
| Huntingdonshire | 10 | 75.93x |
| Berkshire | 8 | 16.07x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 2.39x |
| Royal Navy | 3 | 37.97x |
| Staffordshire | 3 | 1.34x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.54x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 2.38x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.72x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.51x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.76x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 2.19x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.44x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.13x |
| Morayshire | 1 | 9.71x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.01x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.94x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.31x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kings Lynn St Margaret in Norfolk leads with 11 Roopers recorded in 1881 and an index of 359.48x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Lynn St Margaret | 11 | 359.48x |
| Paddington London | 9 | 36.92x |
| Abbots Ripton | 7 | 7777.78x |
| Old Windsor | 7 | 1206.90x |
| Leamington Priors | 4 | 97.09x |
| Royal Navy | 3 | 44.38x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 3 | 12.64x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 2 | 95.24x |
| Islington London | 2 | 3.11x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 5.65x |
| Brampton | 1 | 370.37x |
| Buckden | 1 | 416.67x |
| Chorley | 1 | 22.62x |
| Dyke | 1 | 357.14x |
| Egham | 1 | 50.51x |
| Gillingham | 1 | 21.46x |
| Great Amwell | 1 | 217.39x |
| Huntingdon St John | 1 | 263.16x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.71x |
| Laindon | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Manningham | 1 | 12.35x |
| Newcastle On Tyne St | 1 | 19.57x |
| Reading St Mary | 1 | 25.06x |
| Slapton | 1 | 714.29x |
| St George In East | 1 | 22.17x |
| Stockley | 1 | 400.00x |
| Taunton St Mary | 1 | 51.02x |
| Wisbech St Peter | 1 | 47.39x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rooper 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 Rooper 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 Rooper households.
FAQ
In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Rooper surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 14 in 2016. That gives Rooper a modern rank of #37,178.
An old spelling variation of the surname Roper, referring to a rope maker or seller.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rooper 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.