NameCensus.

UK surname

Rosling

A surname of Swedish origin, derived from the word "ros", meaning rose, and possibly referring to a person living near a rose garden or employed as a gardener.

In the 1881 census there were 264 people recorded with the Rosling surname, ranking it #10,655 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 277, ranked #15,619, down from #10,655 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Moulton and Swinstead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Devon, Derbyshire Dales and Bristol.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rosling is 382 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.9%.

1881 census count

264

Ranked #10,655

Modern count

277

2016, ranked #15,619

Peak year

1911

382 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rosling had 264 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,655 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 277 in 2016, ranked #15,619.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 382 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Rosling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rosling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rosling 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 164 #12,116
1861 historical 173 #13,553
1881 historical 264 #10,655
1891 historical 258 #12,440
1901 historical 326 #10,990
1911 historical 382 #9,615
1997 modern 316 #13,080
1998 modern 333 #12,964
1999 modern 336 #12,969
2000 modern 325 #13,221
2001 modern 307 #13,539
2002 modern 312 #13,639
2003 modern 303 #13,718
2004 modern 308 #13,655
2005 modern 308 #13,590
2006 modern 314 #13,474
2007 modern 305 #13,891
2008 modern 303 #14,038
2009 modern 312 #14,040
2010 modern 312 #14,314
2011 modern 314 #14,165
2012 modern 305 #14,357
2013 modern 305 #14,577
2014 modern 301 #14,809
2015 modern 286 #15,270
2016 modern 277 #15,619

Geography

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Where Roslings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Moulton, Swinstead, London parishes and Horfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Devon, Derbyshire Dales, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Moulton Lincolnshire
3 Swinstead Lincolnshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Horfield Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Devon 005 East Devon
2 Derbyshire Dales 003 Derbyshire Dales
3 Bristol 052 Bristol, City of
4 South Gloucestershire 004 South Gloucestershire
5 South Gloucestershire 009 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rosling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rosling

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Rosling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rosling household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rosling is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rosling is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rosling falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rosling 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 Rosling, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rosling

The surname Rosling has its origins in Sweden, tracing back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Swedish word "rosling," which referred to a small stream or a rose-colored brook. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near such a waterway or in an area characterized by its reddish-colored water.

Early records of the name can be found in Swedish parish registers from the late 1500s. One of the earliest documented instances is Hans Rosling, born in 1587 in the village of Roslags-Kulla, located in the historical province of Roslagen, north of Stockholm. The name Roslagen itself is thought to be related to the word "rosling," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the region.

In the 17th century, the name appears in various Swedish historical documents, including military records and land registries. Notably, Erik Rosling, born in 1621, was a prominent merchant and landowner in the town of Västerås, known for his extensive trading activities throughout the Baltic region.

During the 18th century, the Rosling family continued to establish itself across Sweden. One notable figure was Carl Rosling, born in 1749, a respected theologian and author who served as the Dean of Växjö Cathedral. His scholarly works on religious philosophy and ethics were widely read and influential during his time.

The 19th century saw the Rosling name spread further afield as Swedish emigration to North America increased. One of the earliest recorded instances in the United States is that of Sven Rosling, born in 1822, who settled in Minnesota in the late 1860s after leaving his hometown of Kisa in Östergötland County.

In more recent history, the most well-known bearer of the Rosling surname is Hans Rosling, a Swedish medical doctor, academic, and public speaker, renowned for his innovative methods of presenting statistical data. Born in 1948, he co-founded the Gapminder Foundation and authored several books, including "Factfulness," which became an international bestseller. His influential work aimed to dispel common misconceptions about global development and promote a fact-based worldview.

Other notable individuals with the Rosling surname include Ola Rosling, a Swedish entrepreneur and co-founder of Gapminder, as well as Anna Rosling Rönnlund, a co-author of "Factfulness" and a prominent advocate for sustainable development.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rosling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rosling 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. Lincolnshire leads with 98 Roslings recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.89x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 98 23.89x
Surrey 42 3.36x
Gloucestershire 25 4.97x
Middlesex 22 0.86x
Yorkshire 14 0.55x
Derbyshire 11 2.74x
Lancashire 10 0.33x
Essex 7 1.38x
Hampshire 7 1.33x
Nottinghamshire 6 1.74x
Leicestershire 5 1.76x
Norfolk 5 1.27x
Kent 3 0.34x
Cambridgeshire 2 1.23x
Northamptonshire 2 0.83x
Berkshire 1 0.52x
Devon 1 0.19x
Warwickshire 1 0.15x
Wiltshire 1 0.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 30 Roslings recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.41x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 30 13.41x
Swinstead 25 8064.52x
Horfield 23 454.55x
Reigate Foreign 12 88.69x
Moulton 10 507.61x
Sawley 9 743.80x
Bracebridge 8 427.81x
Hough On Hill 8 2352.94x
Chorley 7 40.98x
Swayfield 7 3181.82x
Writtle 7 338.16x
Chelsea London 5 6.47x
Hammersmith London 5 7.91x
Langtoft 5 980.39x
Ryde 5 44.25x
Somerby In Grantham 5 480.77x
Trowse Cum Newton 5 510.20x
Walkeringham 5 806.45x
Baston 4 588.24x
Corby 4 579.71x
Preston 4 285.71x
St Botolph Lincoln 4 135.59x
Bourn 3 90.63x
Deeping St Nicholas 3 250.00x
Leicester St Margaret 3 4.33x
St Sepulchre London 3 79.79x
Westminster St James 3 11.38x
York St Giles In 3 125.00x
Aslackby 2 500.00x
Doncaster 2 10.77x
Holy Trinity 2 3.27x
Hulme 2 3.15x
Kirkby Underwood 2 1052.63x
Manthorpe Cum Little 2 63.69x
Peterborough 2 11.45x
Shoreditch London 2 1.80x
St Giles Cambridge 2 95.24x
St Pancras London 2 0.97x
Whetstone 2 192.31x
Barholm 1 625.00x
Baslow With Bubnell 1 135.14x
Birmingham 1 0.46x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 5.96x
Buckholt 1 2500.00x
Calver 1 263.16x
Caythorpe 1 126.58x
Chatham 1 4.15x
Cowbit 1 178.57x
Dalton In Furness 1 8.51x
Darenth 1 74.07x
Grantham 1 18.69x
Holy Trinity St Mary 1 25.84x
Hursley 1 81.97x
Kensington London 1 0.70x
Kenton 1 59.52x
Melksham 1 25.38x
Minchinhampton 1 24.94x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.12x
Reading St Giles 1 5.29x
Roundhay 1 140.85x
Scalby In Scarborough 1 188.68x
Stamford St George 1 54.35x
Stoke Newington London 1 5.01x
Tonbridge 1 3.17x
West Ashby 1 294.12x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
Thomas 10
George 9
John 9
Robert 8
Alfred 7
Edward 7
Peregrine 7
Joseph 5
Heffield 4
Henry 4
Richard 4
Albert 3
Charles 3
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
James 2
Jesse 2
Percy 2
Reuben 2
Archibald 1
Arthur 1
Clement 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
G.W. 1
Howard 1
J.R.L. 1
Johnathan 1
Leonard 1
Matthew 1
Rhuben 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Sydney 1

FAQ

Rosling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rosling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 264 people were recorded with the Rosling surname. That placed it at #10,655 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rosling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 277 in 2016. That gives Rosling a modern rank of #15,619.

What does the Rosling surname mean?

A surname of Swedish origin, derived from the word "ros", meaning rose, and possibly referring to a person living near a rose garden or employed as a gardener.

What does the Rosling map show?

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