NameCensus.

UK surname

Rousell

A variant of the French occupational surname Roussel referring to someone with red or reddish hair.

In the 1881 census there were 224 people recorded with the Rousell surname, ranking it #11,970 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 412, ranked #11,627, up from #11,970 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dudley, London parishes and Crewkerne, Wayford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, South Somerset and Bolsover.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rousell is 432 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.9%.

1881 census count

224

Ranked #11,970

Modern count

412

2016, ranked #11,627

Peak year

2011

432 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rousell had 224 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,970 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 412 in 2016, ranked #11,627.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 393 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rousell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rousell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rousell 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 119 #15,247
1861 historical 144 #15,817
1881 historical 224 #11,970
1891 historical 245 #12,950
1901 historical 299 #11,673
1911 historical 393 #9,408
1997 modern 410 #10,800
1998 modern 421 #10,954
1999 modern 411 #11,231
2000 modern 424 #10,919
2001 modern 415 #10,925
2002 modern 428 #10,880
2003 modern 418 #10,896
2004 modern 416 #10,963
2005 modern 411 #10,956
2006 modern 402 #11,213
2007 modern 404 #11,290
2008 modern 397 #11,556
2009 modern 403 #11,659
2010 modern 425 #11,423
2011 modern 432 #11,132
2012 modern 418 #11,318
2013 modern 412 #11,647
2014 modern 411 #11,768
2015 modern 409 #11,713
2016 modern 412 #11,627

Geography

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Where Rousells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dudley, London parishes, Crewkerne, Wayford, Merriott and Loders, Allington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, South Somerset, Bolsover and Sedgemoor. 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 Dudley Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Crewkerne, Wayford Somerset
4 Merriott Somerset
5 Loders, Allington Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 018 County Durham
2 South Somerset 020 South Somerset
3 South Somerset 021 South Somerset
4 Bolsover 007 Bolsover
5 Sedgemoor 003 Sedgemoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rousell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rousell

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Rousell is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Rousell is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rousell falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rousell

The surname ROUSELL is of English origin, and it is believed to have originated in the county of Dorset in the southwestern region of England during the late medieval period. The name is thought to be derived from the Old French word "roussel" or "rousseau," which means "reddish-brown" or "ruddy." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone with reddish-brown hair or a ruddy complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the ROUSELL surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Dorset from the year 1212, where a person named William Roussel is mentioned. This historical record provides evidence that the name was already in use in England during the early 13th century.

The ROUSELL surname has also been found in various other historical documents, including parish records, tax rolls, and court records from various regions of England. For example, in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Wiltshire from 1333, there is a mention of a John Roussel, and in the Feet of Fines of Essex from 1387, a Richard Roussell is recorded.

Over the centuries, the ROUSELL surname has been subject to various spellings, such as Roussell, Rousselle, Rousell, and Rowsell. Some of these variations may have been influenced by regional dialects or scribal errors in recording the name.

Several notable individuals throughout history have borne the ROUSELL surname. One such person was Sir William Rousell (c. 1490-1558), an English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Rochester from 1551 until his death. Another prominent figure was Sir Bartholomew Rousell (1540-1601), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Arundel in 1589.

Other notable individuals include: - John Rousell (c. 1570-1638), an English judge and legal writer - Thomas Rousell (c. 1600-1676), an English politician and landowner - Henry Rousell (1686-1758), an English clergyman and academic

The ROUSELL surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Rousell's Green in Oxfordshire and Rousell's Farm in Sussex. These place names may have been derived from individuals bearing the ROUSELL surname who owned or resided in those locations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rousell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rousell 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. Somerset leads with 64 Rousells recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.36x.

County Total Index
Somerset 64 18.36x
Sussex 34 9.31x
Dorset 32 22.52x
Devon 26 5.77x
Surrey 14 1.33x
Middlesex 10 0.46x
Nottinghamshire 9 3.08x
Hampshire 8 1.80x
Lancashire 7 0.27x
Kent 5 0.68x
Worcestershire 3 1.06x
Gloucestershire 2 0.47x
Northumberland 2 0.62x
Royal Navy 2 7.75x
Channel Islands 1 1.56x
Cumberland 1 0.54x
Norfolk 1 0.30x
Wiltshire 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Merriott in Somerset leads with 28 Rousells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2745.10x.

Place Total Index
Merriott 28 2745.10x
Crewkerne 12 324.32x
Colyton 11 635.84x
Walberton 11 2391.30x
Beaminster 9 569.62x
Beckingham 9 2727.27x
Burpham 9 3000.00x
West Wittering 9 1836.73x
Broadhembury 8 1600.00x
Everton 7 8.55x
Weymouth 7 260.22x
South Petherton 6 333.33x
Hammersmith London 5 9.37x
Melcombe Regis 5 84.89x
Southwark St Saviour 5 44.92x
Ventnor 5 118.48x
White Lackington 5 2380.95x
Bridport 4 136.52x
Camberwell 4 2.89x
Dunkeswell 4 1379.31x
Mosterton 4 1666.67x
Wiveliscombe 4 206.19x
Dudley 3 8.73x
Portsea 3 3.45x
Taunton St James 3 59.06x
Allington 2 157.48x
Brede 2 263.16x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 14.12x
Elmsted 2 625.00x
Enfield 2 14.07x
Lambeth 2 1.06x
Martock 2 88.11x
Newcastle On Tyne 2 571.43x
Newington 2 2.50x
Royal Navy 2 9.07x
South Brent 2 338.98x
Yapton 2 487.80x
Barnstaple 1 14.14x
Barwick 1 285.71x
Battersea 1 1.26x
Buckerell 1 526.32x
Charlton 1 20.37x
Chelsea London 1 1.53x
Gillingham 1 40.98x
Heigham 1 5.60x
Kensington London 1 0.83x
Margate St John Baptist 1 7.39x
Marlborough St Peter St 1 101.01x
Sidmouth 1 38.76x
St Cuthbert Within 1 46.30x
St Peter Port 1 8.42x
Subdeanary 1 102.04x
West Chinnock 1 322.58x
Westminster St James 1 4.49x
Whitstable 1 27.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Sarah 9
Ann 7
Emma 6
Ellen 5
Fanny 5
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Emily 4
Susan 4
Eliza 3
Harriett 3
Jane 3
Ada 2
Beatrice 2
Bessie 2
Charlotte 2
Elizabeth 2
Frances 2
Hannah 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Minnie 2
Nelly 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Alma 1
Anne 1
Barbara 1
Edith 1
Elisth. 1
Elizth. 1
Fanney 1
Flora 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Ida 1
Josephine 1
Lavinia 1
Margaret 1
Marlin 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
Matilda 1
Miss 1
Nundy 1
Priccila 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 12
George 8
Henry 8
James 8
John 7
Thomas 7
Charles 6
Robert 5
Samuel 4
Frank 3
Stephen 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Enos 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Reuben 2
Wm. 2
Dan 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Eldon 1
Eugene 1
Fredk.W.R. 1
H. 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Ian 1
Isaac 1
Jacques 1
Josh. 1
Josh.Paull 1
Robt. 1
Robt.Lacey 1
Rodrick 1
Sydney 1
Thaophilus 1
Wm.George 1

FAQ

Rousell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rousell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 224 people were recorded with the Rousell surname. That placed it at #11,970 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rousell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 412 in 2016. That gives Rousell a modern rank of #11,627.

What does the Rousell surname mean?

A variant of the French occupational surname Roussel referring to someone with red or reddish hair.

What does the Rousell map show?

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