NameCensus.

UK surname

Rotherham

From the Old English words "hreothr" meaning cattle and "ham" meaning homestead or village.

In the 1881 census there were 602 people recorded with the Rotherham surname, ranking it #5,818 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 808, ranked #6,856, down from #5,818 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Eckington and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North East Derbyshire, St. Helens and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rotherham is 880 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.2%.

1881 census count

602

Ranked #5,818

Modern count

808

2016, ranked #6,856

Peak year

1999

880 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rotherham had 602 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,818 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 808 in 2016, ranked #6,856.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 770 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Rotherham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rotherham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rotherham 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 360 #6,569
1861 historical 382 #6,698
1881 historical 602 #5,818
1891 historical 686 #5,710
1901 historical 770 #5,819
1911 historical 764 #5,664
1997 modern 825 #6,385
1998 modern 861 #6,379
1999 modern 880 #6,318
2000 modern 864 #6,367
2001 modern 844 #6,373
2002 modern 848 #6,466
2003 modern 814 #6,558
2004 modern 812 #6,589
2005 modern 782 #6,724
2006 modern 775 #6,801
2007 modern 778 #6,851
2008 modern 771 #6,950
2009 modern 809 #6,825
2010 modern 811 #6,940
2011 modern 808 #6,874
2012 modern 797 #6,851
2013 modern 803 #6,933
2014 modern 809 #6,925
2015 modern 812 #6,843
2016 modern 808 #6,856

Geography

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Where Rotherhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Eckington, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken, Sheffield and Warrington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North East Derbyshire, St. Helens and East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Eckington Derbyshire
3 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Warrington Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North East Derbyshire 014 North East Derbyshire
2 North East Derbyshire 001 North East Derbyshire
3 St. Helens 004 St. Helens
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 018 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 St. Helens 016 St. Helens

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rotherham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rotherham

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Rotherham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Rotherham household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Rotherham is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rotherham is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rotherham falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rotherham

The surname Rotherham has its roots in England, with its origins dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the place name Rotherham, a town in South Yorkshire, England. The name is believed to be a combination of the Old English words "rothera" and "ham," which together translate to "homestead by the rushy stream."

Rotherham was first recorded as a place name in the Domesday Book of 1086, the famous land survey commissioned by William the Conqueror. This suggests that the name Rotherham, as a surname, likely emerged in the 11th or 12th century when it became common practice for people to adopt surnames based on their place of origin or residence.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Rotherham was Sir Thomas Rotherham, a prominent English prelate born around 1423. He served as the Lord Chancellor of England from 1474 to 1483 and was also the Bishop of Lincoln and the Archbishop of York. Another early bearer of the name was John Rotherham, who was born in the late 15th century and served as the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1509 to 1516.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Parish Registers of Rotherham itself. During this time, the spelling of the name varied, with forms such as Rotheram, Rotherham, and Rothram being used interchangeably.

In the 17th century, a notable figure with the surname Rotherham was Sir John Rotherham, a member of the English gentry born in 1588. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, supporting the Royalist cause. Another individual of note was Thomas Rotherham, born in 1623, who was a prominent English clergyman and author.

In the 18th century, the surname Rotherham continued to be associated with various accomplished individuals. One such person was Samuel Rotherham, born in 1719, who was a respected English mathematician and astronomer. Additionally, John Rotherham, born in 1748, was a well-known English artist known for his landscape paintings.

Throughout history, the surname Rotherham has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, politicians, academics, and artists. Despite its origins as a place name, the surname has become established across England and beyond, with bearers of the name making significant contributions to their respective fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rotherham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rotherham 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 174 Rotherhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.50x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 174 2.50x
Yorkshire 109 1.87x
Derbyshire 73 7.94x
Warwickshire 66 4.46x
Middlesex 32 0.54x
Staffordshire 25 1.26x
Surrey 25 0.87x
Kent 20 1.00x
Norfolk 12 1.33x
Essex 10 0.86x
Nottinghamshire 10 1.26x
Cheshire 9 0.69x
Herefordshire 8 3.32x
Northamptonshire 6 1.09x
Cumberland 5 0.99x
Denbighshire 4 1.80x
Devon 3 0.25x
Leicestershire 3 0.46x
Rutland 3 6.96x
Suffolk 3 0.42x
Flintshire 1 0.63x
Lincolnshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Eckington in Derbyshire leads with 31 Rotherhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 138.83x.

Place Total Index
Eckington 31 138.83x
Liverpool 19 4.49x
Nether Hallam 17 21.59x
Aston 15 3.68x
Dronfield 15 127.33x
Widnes 15 29.84x
York St Mary 14 58.09x
Ecclesall Bierlow 13 10.98x
Sheffield 13 7.02x
Coventry Holy Trinity 12 27.14x
Coventry St Michael 12 25.23x
Darlaston 12 43.81x
Eccleston In Prescot 12 34.31x
Whiston 12 428.57x
Hampstead London 10 10.93x
Scarisbrick 10 123.61x
Rainford 9 119.36x
Snodland 9 158.45x
Solihull 9 84.51x
West Derby 9 4.41x
Coundon 8 1428.57x
Hereford All Sts 8 72.53x
Leeds 8 2.43x
Read 8 430.11x
Unstone 8 221.61x
Walton On Hill 8 21.19x
West Ham 8 3.13x
Bermondsey 7 4.00x
Coal Aston 7 443.04x
Kirkby 7 248.23x
Nottingham St Mary 7 3.42x
Paddington London 7 3.24x
Skelmersdale 7 60.29x
Stoke Upon Trent 7 3.33x
Swinton In Rotherham 7 45.48x
Warrington 7 8.47x
Congleton 6 26.79x
Croydon 6 3.78x
Deptford St Paul 6 3.88x
Harthill Cum Woodall 6 269.06x
Hethersett 6 263.16x
Kirkdale 6 5.12x
Much Woolton 6 63.42x
West Haddon 6 335.20x
Wigan 6 6.16x
Accrington 5 7.89x
Birmingham 5 1.01x
Brightside Bierlow 5 4.38x
Chesterfield 5 14.51x
North Meols 5 7.33x
Whitwell 5 136.61x
Altcar 4 360.36x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.57x
Bootle Cum Linacre 4 7.23x
Broughton In Salford 4 6.28x
Gresford 4 189.57x
New Buckenham 4 357.14x
Willesden 4 7.23x
Wolstanton 4 6.64x
Aspull 3 18.30x
Brampton Bierlow 3 40.27x
Bromley London 3 2.32x
Camberwell 3 0.80x
Cheetham 3 5.77x
Conisbrough 3 54.95x
Cronton 3 319.15x
Godalming 3 16.66x
Great Salkeld 3 297.03x
Knutsford Nether 3 38.27x
Mansfield 3 10.95x
Northfleet 3 17.00x
Pendleton In Salford 3 3.61x
Rotherhithe 3 4.14x
Uppingham 3 58.37x
Ecclesfield 2 4.69x
Hulme 2 1.37x
Poulton Barre 2 25.22x
Strood 2 17.50x
Wanstead 2 9.85x
Whitechapel London 2 3.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Elizabeth 28
Sarah 22
Ann 14
Jane 14
Margaret 14
Alice 13
Annie 11
Ellen 10
Edith 6
Emma 6
Eliza 5
Emily 5
Hannah 5
Martha 5
Ada 4
Agnes 4
Harriet 4
Harriett 4
Lucy 4
Maria 4
Matilda 4
Anne 3
Catherine 3
Elizbth. 3
Florence 3
Isabella 3
Rosa 3
Adelaide 2
Amy 2
Bertha 2
Betsy 2
Bridget 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Cordelier 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Frances 2
Louisa 2
Maud 2
Monica 2
Ella 1
Elsie 1
Herta 1
Kate 1
Katie 1
Lillian 1
Lilly 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 42
William 25
Thomas 24
George 23
Henry 18
Charles 17
Joseph 16
James 15
Edward 10
Richard 9
Alfred 7
Arthur 7
Samuel 7
Robert 6
Walter 5
Albert 4
Wm. 4
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Isaac 2
Thos. 2
Alexr. 1
Basil 1
Bryan 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Cooper 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Ewan 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.H. 1
Geoffrey 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Jarvis 1
Jas. 1
Keith 1
Kenneth 1
Mark 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1
Robt. 1

FAQ

Rotherham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rotherham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 602 people were recorded with the Rotherham surname. That placed it at #5,818 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rotherham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 808 in 2016. That gives Rotherham a modern rank of #6,856.

What does the Rotherham surname mean?

From the Old English words "hreothr" meaning cattle and "ham" meaning homestead or village.

What does the Rotherham map show?

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