NameCensus.

UK surname

Roskilly

A Cornish surname derived from the place name Roskilly in Cornwall.

In the 1881 census there were 212 people recorded with the Roskilly surname, ranking it #12,373 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 291, ranked #15,062, down from #12,373 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Keverne, London parishes and Duloe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roskilly is 341 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.3%.

1881 census count

212

Ranked #12,373

Modern count

291

2016, ranked #15,062

Peak year

1998

341 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roskilly had 212 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,373 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016, ranked #15,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 284 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Roskilly surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Roskilly surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roskilly 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 140 #13,593
1861 historical 142 #15,982
1881 historical 212 #12,373
1891 historical 227 #13,629
1901 historical 236 #13,616
1911 historical 284 #11,862
1997 modern 322 #12,914
1998 modern 341 #12,761
1999 modern 329 #13,147
2000 modern 326 #13,188
2001 modern 328 #12,944
2002 modern 320 #13,414
2003 modern 306 #13,641
2004 modern 304 #13,783
2005 modern 304 #13,724
2006 modern 304 #13,797
2007 modern 314 #13,618
2008 modern 314 #13,720
2009 modern 329 #13,548
2010 modern 319 #14,110
2011 modern 317 #14,059
2012 modern 303 #14,415
2013 modern 312 #14,332
2014 modern 310 #14,499
2015 modern 306 #14,536
2016 modern 291 #15,062

Geography

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Where Roskillys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Keverne, London parishes, Duloe, St Dunstan Stepney and Camborne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 St Keverne Cornwall
2 London parishes London 3
3 Duloe Cornwall
4 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
5 Camborne Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 061 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 053 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 073 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 055 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 052 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roskilly

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roskilly

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

Roskilly is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Roskilly

The surname ROSKILLY is of Cornish origin, derived from the parish of Roskilly in Cornwall, England. This name has its roots in the Cornish language, where "ros" means "valley" and "kelly" means "grove" or "hazel tree."

The earliest known record of the ROSKILLY surname dates back to the 16th century, when it appeared in the parish records of Roskilly, Cornwall. During this time, many Cornish families adopted surnames derived from the names of their local parishes or settlements.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was John Roskilly, who was born in Roskilly, Cornwall, in the late 16th century. He was a farmer and landowner in the area, and his descendants continued to live in the region for several generations.

In the 17th century, the ROSKILLY name spread beyond Cornwall as members of the family migrated to other parts of England and even to the American colonies. One notable individual was William Roskilly (1665-1728), a merchant and shipowner from Bristol, who established trade routes between England and the West Indies.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw several prominent individuals bearing the ROSKILLY surname. Richard Roskilly (1780-1855) was a successful businessman and philanthropist in Cornwall, known for his support of local schools and charities. His son, John Roskilly (1815-1892), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the Cornish mining industry.

Another notable ROSKILLY was George Roskilly (1842-1914), a renowned architect who designed several churches and public buildings in Cornwall and Devon. His brother, William Roskilly (1845-1921), was a respected educator and headmaster of several schools in the region.

In the 20th century, the ROSKILLY name continued to be associated with various fields, including academia and the arts. Alfred Roskilly (1901-1976) was a distinguished historian and author of several books on British history, while his brother, James Roskilly (1905-1988), was a talented painter and sculptor.

While the ROSKILLY surname originated in a small Cornish parish, it has since spread across England and beyond, with individuals from this family making notable contributions in various fields over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roskilly families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roskilly 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 121 Roskillys recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.45x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 121 53.45x
Middlesex 29 1.45x
Devon 20 4.80x
Somerset 17 5.28x
Surrey 9 0.92x
Norfolk 5 1.63x
Essex 3 0.76x
Oxfordshire 1 0.81x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camborne in Cornwall leads with 26 Roskillys recorded in 1881 and an index of 278.67x.

Place Total Index
Camborne 26 278.67x
St Keverne 17 1360.00x
Mile End Old Town 15 47.51x
Lanreath 9 2307.69x
Menheniot 9 957.45x
Milborne Port 8 620.16x
Wandsworth 8 41.56x
Duloe 6 909.09x
Islington London 6 3.10x
Kenwyn 6 101.35x
Lamerton 6 759.49x
Yeovil 6 91.74x
Chelsea London 5 8.30x
Gwinear 5 467.29x
Madron Penzance 5 60.75x
Martham 5 666.67x
Phillack 4 136.99x
Plymouth Charles The 4 21.81x
St Gluvias 4 314.96x
St Kew 4 533.33x
Stoke Damerel 4 13.73x
Closworth 3 3750.00x
Helston 3 127.66x
Lanlivery 3 315.79x
Sithney 3 131.00x
St Winnow 3 389.61x
Crowan 2 111.73x
Falmouth 2 24.97x
Pelynt 2 434.78x
West Ham 2 2.29x
Breage 1 48.31x
Budock 1 58.82x
Culham 1 270.27x
Devonport 1 20.92x
East Stonehouse 1 12.20x
Ilfracombe 1 23.36x
Kensington London 1 0.90x
Lanteglos 1 95.24x
Little Hempston 1 666.67x
Madron 1 54.64x
Newington 1 1.35x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 3.12x
Redruth 1 15.63x
St George Hanover 1 3.83x
St Ives 1 22.57x
St Just In Penwith 1 22.78x
St Pancras London 1 0.62x
Stokenham 1 85.47x
Wanstead 1 14.47x
Wendron 1 31.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 24
Elizabeth 13
Sarah 6
Jane 5
Amelia 3
Ellen 3
Emma 3
Grace 3
Ann 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Harriet 2
Jemima 2
Louisa 2
Margaret 2
Susan 2
Adele 1
Beatrice 1
Catherine 1
Claudia 1
Eliza 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Janie 1
Jessie 1
Lillian 1
Lillie 1
Lily 1
Livinia 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Margarett 1
Marth 1
Martha 1
Mildred 1
Rosetta 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 13
Thomas 12
John 11
Richard 10
Joseph 7
George 5
Henry 5
Samuel 5
Alfred 4
Charles 3
Robert 3
Albert 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Anthony 1
Anthorny 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Jabez 1
James 1
Richd.Chas. 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1
Vtolemy 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Roskilly surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roskilly surname in 1881?

In 1881, 212 people were recorded with the Roskilly surname. That placed it at #12,373 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roskilly surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016. That gives Roskilly a modern rank of #15,062.

What does the Roskilly surname mean?

A Cornish surname derived from the place name Roskilly in Cornwall.

What does the Roskilly map show?

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