NameCensus.

UK surname

Rowbotham

A locational surname derived from a place name, likely referring to someone from a location called Rowbotham.

In the 1881 census there were 1,468 people recorded with the Rowbotham surname, ranking it #2,844 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,196, ranked #2,952, down from #2,844 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Prestbury, Stockport and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hartlepool, Salford and North East Lincolnshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rowbotham is 2,357 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 49.6%.

1881 census count

1,468

Ranked #2,844

Modern count

2,196

2016, ranked #2,952

Peak year

2010

2,357 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rowbotham had 1,468 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,844 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,196 in 2016, ranked #2,952.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,206 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Rowbotham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rowbotham surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rowbotham 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 868 #3,138
1861 historical 964 #2,889
1881 historical 1,468 #2,844
1891 historical 1,714 #2,645
1901 historical 1,930 #2,736
1911 historical 2,206 #2,281
1997 modern 2,238 #2,772
1998 modern 2,301 #2,811
1999 modern 2,316 #2,807
2000 modern 2,285 #2,825
2001 modern 2,248 #2,808
2002 modern 2,310 #2,795
2003 modern 2,245 #2,809
2004 modern 2,264 #2,783
2005 modern 2,233 #2,794
2006 modern 2,217 #2,822
2007 modern 2,229 #2,824
2008 modern 2,233 #2,844
2009 modern 2,323 #2,807
2010 modern 2,357 #2,831
2011 modern 2,284 #2,871
2012 modern 2,283 #2,824
2013 modern 2,294 #2,860
2014 modern 2,283 #2,886
2015 modern 2,246 #2,902
2016 modern 2,196 #2,952

Geography

Back to top

Where Rowbothams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Prestbury, Stockport, Sheffield and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hartlepool, Salford and North East Lincolnshire. 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 Prestbury Cheshire
2 Stockport Cheshire
3 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hartlepool 003 Hartlepool
2 Hartlepool 012 Hartlepool
3 Salford 001 Salford
4 Hartlepool 007 Hartlepool
5 North East Lincolnshire 019 North East Lincolnshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rowbotham

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rowbotham

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rowbotham, 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 Rowbotham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Rowbotham 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rowbotham 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

Rowbotham 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

Rowbotham 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 Rowbotham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Rowbotham, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rowbotham

The surname Rowbotham has its origins in England, specifically in Lancashire and the surrounding areas. It dates back to the 14th century and is derived from the Old English words "row" meaning a row or line, and "botham" meaning a valley or small hollow. Thus, the name likely referred to someone who lived in a valley or small hollow characterized by rows or lines, possibly of houses or trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Lancashire Inquests of 1311, where it is spelled "Rowbotham." This suggests the name was already established in the region by the early 14th century. Over time, various spelling variations emerged, such as Rowbotham, Rowbothom, Rowbottom, and Rowebottom.

The Rowbotham name is also associated with several place names in Lancashire, including Rowbottom Square in Oldham and Rowbottom Lane in Rochdale. These place names likely originated from the surname itself, indicating areas where families with the Rowbotham name resided.

One notable figure bearing the Rowbotham name was James Rowbotham (1782-1858), an English author and educator who wrote several books on mathematics and natural philosophy. Another was Archibald Rowbotham (1868-1939), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in Manchester and Liverpool.

In the 16th century, records show a Richard Rowbotham (c. 1520-1590) who held land in the parish of Rochdale and is believed to be an ancestor of many modern-day Rowbothams. Another early figure was John Rowbotham (c. 1580-1650), a yeoman farmer from Oldham who owned substantial property in the area.

Moving into the 17th century, we find Thomas Rowbotham (1615-1688), a prominent Quaker minister and author from Lancashire who wrote several influential works on Quaker theology and beliefs. His son, Samuel Rowbotham (1652-1720), was also a Quaker minister and continued his father's work in promoting the faith.

These examples demonstrate the long history of the Rowbotham surname in England, particularly in the Lancashire region, dating back to at least the 14th century. Its origins can be traced to Old English words describing geographical features, and it has been associated with various places, individuals, and even notable figures throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rowbotham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rowbotham 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. Cheshire leads with 457 Rowbothams recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.45x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 457 14.45x
Lancashire 239 1.41x
Yorkshire 199 1.40x
Derbyshire 93 4.15x
Lincolnshire 71 3.10x
Staffordshire 63 1.30x
Warwickshire 62 1.72x
Middlesex 59 0.41x
Nottinghamshire 57 2.95x
Leicestershire 51 3.21x
Durham 35 0.82x
Kent 20 0.41x
Surrey 16 0.23x
Gloucestershire 6 0.21x
Monmouthshire 6 0.58x
Worcestershire 6 0.32x
Wiltshire 5 0.39x
Denbighshire 4 0.74x
Montgomeryshire 4 1.22x
Sussex 4 0.17x
Lanarkshire 3 0.06x
Hertfordshire 2 0.20x
Shropshire 2 0.16x
Anglesey 1 0.39x
Essex 1 0.04x
Hampshire 1 0.03x
Northamptonshire 1 0.07x
Westmorland 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Macclesfield in Cheshire leads with 110 Rowbothams recorded in 1881 and an index of 78.24x.

Place Total Index
Macclesfield 110 78.24x
Hyde 53 56.78x
Bredbury 32 174.77x
Nether Hallam 31 16.14x
Birmingham 29 2.41x
Cheadle 27 44.69x
Salford 27 5.40x
Ecclesall Bierlow 26 9.00x
Stranton 26 18.12x
Sheffield 25 5.53x
Wolverhampton 23 6.18x
Werneth 22 222.00x
Brightside Bierlow 21 7.54x
Hurdsfield 21 107.91x
Newton In Ashton Under 20 64.08x
Aston 19 1.91x
Dukinfield 19 13.00x
Haughton 18 72.55x
Stockport 18 11.06x
Ardwick 16 10.43x
Newton 15 11.45x
Loughborough 14 19.42x
Nottingham St Mary 13 2.60x
Over Darwen 12 8.84x
Ecclesfield 11 10.56x
Harpurhey 11 46.61x
Killamarsh 11 78.80x
Aldridge 10 107.53x
Caythorpe 10 227.27x
Horncastle 10 42.28x
Mellor 10 163.93x
Newton 10 203.67x
Snenton 10 13.18x
Stathern 10 377.36x
Sutton In Macclesfield 10 30.46x
Warrington 10 4.96x
Altrincham 9 16.28x
Basford 9 10.11x
Bosden 9 92.69x
Bradford 9 11.31x
Castle Donnington 9 68.29x
Ealing 9 7.03x
Glanford Brigg 9 110.02x
Great Grimsby 9 6.19x
Leeds 9 1.12x
Limehouse London 9 5.72x
Rainow 9 142.86x
Denton 8 21.23x
Derby St Werburgh 8 6.18x
Eckington 8 14.68x
Godley 8 117.13x
Hammersmith London 8 2.27x
Heap 8 8.87x
Lymm 8 34.78x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 8 28.41x
Bedworth 7 26.55x
Lambeth 7 0.56x
Manchester 7 0.92x
Poplar London 7 2.59x
Ashton On Mersey 6 36.70x
Bedwellty 6 3.28x
Beswick 6 13.80x
Cheetham 6 4.73x
Droylsden 6 10.82x
Eston 6 19.40x
Everton 6 1.11x
Failsworth 6 15.42x
Islington London 6 0.43x
Kings Norton 6 3.58x
Lewisham 6 2.30x
Long Bennington 6 134.53x
Ripley 6 21.64x
Sandbach 6 22.24x
Stoke Upon Trent 6 1.17x
Wakefield 6 5.50x
Woolwich 6 3.32x
Bradford On Avon 5 12.32x
Duffield 5 28.28x
Holy Trinity 5 1.46x
Hook 5 16.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 109
Sarah 66
Elizabeth 60
Ann 43
Jane 33
Alice 28
Emma 28
Hannah 26
Annie 21
Martha 20
Eliza 18
Harriet 14
Edith 12
Ellen 11
Emily 11
Margaret 11
Lucy 10
Ada 9
Elizth. 8
Charlotte 7
Clara 7
Frances 7
Maria 7
Florence 6
Nancy 6
Fanny 5
Kate 5
Rachel 5
Amy 4
Catherine 4
Ester 4
Esther 4
Ethel 4
Louisa 4
Rebecca 4
Rose 4
Selina 4
Anne 3
Bertha 3
Harriett 3
Isabella 3
Matilda 3
Amelia 2
Betty 2
Caroline 2
Dorothy 2
Laura 2
Lydia 2
Maggie 2
Nellie 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 109
William 87
Thomas 56
George 47
James 36
Joseph 33
Henry 31
Charles 27
Samuel 26
Edward 12
Edwin 12
Walter 12
Frederick 11
Richard 11
Robert 11
Alfred 10
Arthur 10
Albert 9
Herbert 9
Frank 7
Harry 7
Wm. 7
Ernest 6
Mark 5
Edmund 4
Francis 4
Isaac 4
Joshua 4
Abraham 3
Ambrose 3
Daniel 3
Fred 3
Saml. 3
Samual 3
Sidney 3
Abel 2
Allan 2
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
Claude 2
Eli 2
Enoch 2
Harold 2
Jonas 2
Owen 2
Peter 2
Ralph 2
Reginald 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2

FAQ

Rowbotham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rowbotham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,468 people were recorded with the Rowbotham surname. That placed it at #2,844 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rowbotham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,196 in 2016. That gives Rowbotham a modern rank of #2,952.

What does the Rowbotham surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name, likely referring to someone from a location called Rowbotham.

What does the Rowbotham map show?

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