NameCensus.

UK surname

Rowand

A variant of the surname Rowan, derived from the Gaelic name for the rowan tree.

In the 1881 census there were 134 people recorded with the Rowand surname, ranking it #16,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 151, ranked #23,615, down from #16,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, London parishes and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Lakeland, Auchenback and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rowand is 163 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.7%.

1881 census count

134

Ranked #16,602

Modern count

151

2016, ranked #23,615

Peak year

1891

163 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rowand had 134 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016, ranked #23,615.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 163 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Rowand surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rowand surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rowand 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 114 #15,716
1861 historical 128 #17,375
1881 historical 134 #16,602
1891 historical 163 #17,300
1901 historical 132 #19,469
1911 historical 51 #27,708
1997 modern 126 #23,461
1998 modern 138 #22,814
1999 modern 143 #22,521
2000 modern 150 #21,781
2001 modern 143 #22,133
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 140 #22,634
2004 modern 136 #23,207
2005 modern 137 #23,110
2006 modern 127 #24,384
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 132 #24,476
2009 modern 141 #23,907
2010 modern 146 #23,921
2011 modern 147 #23,627
2012 modern 143 #24,019
2013 modern 149 #23,765
2014 modern 149 #23,969
2015 modern 150 #23,718
2016 modern 151 #23,615

Geography

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Where Rowands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, London parishes, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Lakeland, Auchenback, Islington and Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 London parishes London 3
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Paisley Abbey Renfrew
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Lakeland 001 South Lakeland
2 South Lakeland 012 South Lakeland
3 Auchenback East Renfrewshire
4 Islington 016 Islington
5 Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry Moray

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rowand

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rowand

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Rowand is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rowand is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rowand falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rowand

The surname Rowand originated in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Scots word "rowan," which refers to the rowan tree or mountain ash. This tree was considered a symbol of protection and was often planted near houses to ward off evil spirits.

The name Rowand was initially concentrated in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the counties of Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient charters and land grants from this region.

One notable early reference to the surname is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which recorded the names of Scottish landowners who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Several individuals with the surname Rowand are listed in these rolls, indicating their presence in Scotland at that time.

In the 15th century, a branch of the Rowand family settled in the village of Kilwinning, Ayrshire, and became prominent landowners in the area. Sir John Rowand of Kilwinning (c. 1450-1520) was a renowned knight and courtier during the reign of King James IV of Scotland.

Another notable figure from this era was Robert Rowand (c. 1460-1538), a Scottish cleric who served as the Bishop of Dunkeld from 1518 until his death. He played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation and was known for his efforts to promote education and literacy.

During the 17th century, the Rowand surname spread across Scotland, with families establishing themselves in various regions, including the Highlands and the Borders. One prominent individual from this period was Sir William Rowand (1613-1680), a Scottish lawyer and politician who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1677 to 1680.

As the centuries passed, the surname Rowand underwent various spelling variations, such as Rowane, Rowanne, and Rowan. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and pronunciation differences across Scotland.

Among the notable figures with the Rowand surname in more recent history was Sir Andrew Rowand (1828-1912), a Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Glasgow. He founded the Rowand Trust, which provided financial support for education and social welfare initiatives.

Despite its Scottish origins, the Rowand surname eventually spread beyond Scotland's borders, with families bearing this name settling in various parts of the world, including England, Ireland, and North America.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rowand families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rowand 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. Renfrewshire leads with 60 Rowands recorded in 1881 and an index of 62.01x.

County Total Index
Renfrewshire 60 62.01x
Westmorland 9 32.80x
Lanarkshire 7 1.73x
Lancashire 7 0.47x
Surrey 7 1.15x
Yorkshire 7 0.57x
Aberdeenshire 6 5.19x
Middlesex 6 0.48x
Ayrshire 3 3.21x
Essex 3 1.22x
Gloucestershire 3 1.23x
Dunbartonshire 2 5.96x
Perthshire 2 3.57x
Somerset 2 1.00x
Anglesey 1 4.52x
Durham 1 0.27x
Hampshire 1 0.39x
Royal Navy 1 6.72x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paisley High Church in Renfrewshire leads with 23 Rowands recorded in 1881 and an index of 298.70x.

Place Total Index
Paisley High Church 23 298.70x
Abbey 15 101.63x
Paisley Middle Church 11 195.38x
Kendal 9 179.28x
Eastwood 7 117.45x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 6 27.73x
Bethnal Green London 5 9.22x
Camberwell 5 6.27x
Barony 4 3.91x
Horsforth 4 147.60x
Neilston 4 82.30x
West Ham 3 5.51x
Cheltenham 2 10.59x
Church Coniston 2 476.19x
Crieff 2 96.15x
Dumbarton 2 42.83x
Lambeth 2 1.84x
Leeds 2 2.86x
North Meols 2 13.79x
Walcot 2 18.69x
Altham 1 588.24x
Amlwch 1 48.08x
Barnsley 1 7.84x
Barrow In Furness 1 4.96x
Blantyre 1 23.81x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 12.24x
East Kilbride 1 57.80x
Govan 1 1.00x
Isleworth 1 18.02x
Kilwinning 1 33.11x
Largs 1 45.45x
South Shields 1 30.21x
St Quivox 1 31.65x
Titchfield 1 51.81x
Whittingham 1 153.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 4
Daniel 3
George 3
Albt. 1
Alex 1
Anthony 1
Arthur 1
Grace 1
Isaac 1
James 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Rowand households.

FAQ

Rowand surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rowand surname in 1881?

In 1881, 134 people were recorded with the Rowand surname. That placed it at #16,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rowand surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016. That gives Rowand a modern rank of #23,615.

What does the Rowand surname mean?

A variant of the surname Rowan, derived from the Gaelic name for the rowan tree.

What does the Rowand map show?

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