NameCensus.

UK surname

Rous

A surname suggesting French origins, possibly derived from a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 210 people recorded with the Rous surname, ranking it #12,440 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 279, ranked #15,534, down from #12,440 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Willesden and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waveney, Suffolk Coastal and Tonbridge and Malling.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rous is 308 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.9%.

1881 census count

210

Ranked #12,440

Modern count

279

2016, ranked #15,534

Peak year

2000

308 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rous had 210 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,440 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 279 in 2016, ranked #15,534.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 254 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rous surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rous surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rous 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 137 #13,812
1861 historical 80 #23,566
1881 historical 210 #12,440
1891 historical 170 #16,816
1901 historical 250 #13,136
1911 historical 254 #12,748
1997 modern 283 #14,037
1998 modern 293 #14,094
1999 modern 285 #14,438
2000 modern 308 #13,685
2001 modern 285 #14,191
2002 modern 285 #14,483
2003 modern 285 #14,295
2004 modern 298 #13,937
2005 modern 291 #14,105
2006 modern 284 #14,396
2007 modern 283 #14,579
2008 modern 285 #14,647
2009 modern 290 #14,778
2010 modern 303 #14,626
2011 modern 291 #14,903
2012 modern 299 #14,537
2013 modern 304 #14,614
2014 modern 293 #15,095
2015 modern 285 #15,307
2016 modern 279 #15,534

Geography

Back to top

Where Rous' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Willesden, St John Hackney and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waveney, Suffolk Coastal, Tonbridge and Malling and Mid Devon. 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 1
2 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waveney 014 Waveney
2 Suffolk Coastal 001 Suffolk Coastal
3 Tonbridge and Malling 014 Tonbridge and Malling
4 Suffolk Coastal 002 Suffolk Coastal
5 Mid Devon 001 Mid Devon

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rous

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rous

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rous 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

Rous 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

Rous falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rous

The surname ROUS has its origins in England, originating in the late 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "rous" or "roux", meaning red or reddish-brown, likely describing someone with reddish hair or complexion. The name was initially used as a nickname or descriptive term before becoming a hereditary surname.

The earliest known recorded instance of the ROUS surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of land and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This record mentions a landowner named Radulfus le Rous, indicating that the name was already in use during the Norman period.

In the 12th century, the ROUS surname can be found in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1166-1167, which list a William le Rous. The surname also appears in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1201, where a John le Rous is mentioned.

During the 13th century, the ROUS surname was associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest was John Rous (c. 1225-1292), a medieval historian and antiquary from Warwickshire, known for his work "Historia Regum Angliae" (History of the Kings of England).

Another prominent figure was Sir John Rous (c. 1420-1492), a distinguished soldier and diplomat who served under King Edward IV and King Richard III. He played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses and was appointed to several important positions, including Governor of Calais and Constable of the Tower of London.

In the 16th century, Francis Rous (1579-1659) was a prominent English Puritan minister and member of the Westminster Assembly, which drafted the Westminster Confession of Faith. He served as a chaplain to the English forces during the English Civil War and was an influential figure in the religious and political affairs of the time.

During the 17th century, John Rous (1608-1670) was a notable English lawyer and writer from Suffolk. He authored several legal treatises and served as a member of parliament during the English Civil War.

One of the most famous individuals with the ROUS surname was Francis Rous (1744-1805), an English landowner and politician from Cornwall. He served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies and was a prominent supporter of the abolition of the slave trade.

These examples illustrate the long and diverse history of the ROUS surname, which has been associated with notable figures across various fields, including history, military, religion, law, and politics, throughout the centuries in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rous families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rous 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. Middlesex leads with 60 Rous' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.94x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 60 2.94x
Suffolk 55 22.15x
Surrey 18 1.81x
Norfolk 16 5.10x
Hampshire 14 3.35x
Lancashire 12 0.50x
Sussex 7 2.04x
Devon 5 1.18x
Warwickshire 4 0.78x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.09x
Essex 2 0.50x
Glamorgan 2 0.56x
Staffordshire 2 0.29x
Worcestershire 2 0.75x
Yorkshire 2 0.10x
Berkshire 1 0.65x
Kent 1 0.14x
Northamptonshire 1 0.52x
Northumberland 1 0.33x
Royal Navy 1 4.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 17 Rous' recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.62x.

Place Total Index
St Marylebone London 17 15.62x
Westleton 17 2931.03x
Waxham 11 11000.00x
Hawley 10 1265.82x
Hackney London 9 7.87x
Islington London 8 4.05x
Liverpool 8 5.45x
Westminster St John 8 32.22x
Camberwell 7 5.38x
Kingston On Thames 7 29.34x
Brighton 6 8.65x
Sproughton 6 1395.35x
Runham 5 793.65x
St Pancras London 5 3.05x
Tormoham 5 27.86x
Woodbridge 5 157.73x
Bow London 4 15.41x
Denham 4 1290.32x
Exning 4 320.00x
Newington 4 5.31x
Aldershot 3 21.43x
Kensington London 3 2.65x
Lowestoft 3 25.58x
Moss Side 3 23.57x
Nottingham St Mary 3 4.22x
Stradbroke 3 357.14x
Willisham 3 2142.86x
Birmingham 2 1.17x
Henham 2 1818.18x
Ipswich St Mathew 2 28.74x
Kirkley 2 96.15x
Leamington Priors 2 15.81x
Michaelstone Le Pit 2 2500.00x
Paddington London 2 2.67x
Wolverhampton 2 3.78x
Clewer 1 15.95x
Clifton Upon Teme 1 322.58x
East Donyland 1 103.09x
Erith 1 14.60x
Fulham London 1 3.38x
Gate Fulford 1 21.19x
Great Addington 1 454.55x
Hastings St Mary 1 11.70x
Heveningham 1 454.55x
Ipswich St Helen 1 34.01x
Ipswich St Mary Stoke 1 43.48x
Kings Norton 1 4.19x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 6.36x
Peasenhall 1 166.67x
Portsmouth 1 10.40x
Prittlewell 1 17.92x
Royal Navy 1 4.81x
Shoreditch London 1 1.13x
St George Hanover 1 3.76x
St Martin In Fields 1 8.20x
Toxteth Park 1 1.22x
York Holy Trinity 1 57.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 13
John 12
James 9
Thomas 8
Henry 7
Robert 6
Frederick 5
Samuel 5
Edward 4
Alfred 3
Fredk. 3
George 3
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Alic 1
Bart 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Jacob 1
Nathan 1
Noah 1
Obidiah 1
Sarah 1
Stanley 1
Sydney 1

FAQ

Rous surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rous surname in 1881?

In 1881, 210 people were recorded with the Rous surname. That placed it at #12,440 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rous surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 279 in 2016. That gives Rous a modern rank of #15,534.

What does the Rous surname mean?

A surname suggesting French origins, possibly derived from a place name.

What does the Rous map show?

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