NameCensus.

UK surname

Rowett

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a small wood or coppice.

In the 1881 census there were 225 people recorded with the Rowett surname, ranking it #11,931 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 440, ranked #10,992, up from #11,931 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Redruth and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Lindsey, Sheffield and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rowett is 458 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 95.6%.

1881 census count

225

Ranked #11,931

Modern count

440

2016, ranked #10,992

Peak year

2009

458 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rowett had 225 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,931 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 440 in 2016, ranked #10,992.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 376 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Rowett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rowett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rowett 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 181 #11,256
1861 historical 227 #10,749
1881 historical 225 #11,931
1891 historical 279 #11,698
1901 historical 298 #11,695
1911 historical 376 #9,736
1997 modern 423 #10,550
1998 modern 432 #10,737
1999 modern 433 #10,807
2000 modern 457 #10,300
2001 modern 449 #10,254
2002 modern 450 #10,452
2003 modern 430 #10,669
2004 modern 434 #10,619
2005 modern 419 #10,802
2006 modern 411 #10,998
2007 modern 419 #10,954
2008 modern 421 #11,010
2009 modern 458 #10,519
2010 modern 434 #11,223
2011 modern 429 #11,197
2012 modern 436 #10,940
2013 modern 435 #11,131
2014 modern 440 #11,107
2015 modern 446 #10,898
2016 modern 440 #10,992

Geography

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Where Rowetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Redruth, London parishes, St Martin and St Austell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Lindsey, Sheffield and Cornwall. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Redruth Cornwall
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Martin Cornwall
5 St Austell Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Lindsey 003 West Lindsey
2 Sheffield 008 Sheffield
3 Cornwall 039 Cornwall
4 West Lindsey 005 West Lindsey
5 Cornwall 036 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rowett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rowett

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

Rowett is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rowett falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rowett

The surname Rowett is believed to have its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English words "hreaw" meaning "rough" or "untamed" and "get" meaning "young goat" or "kid". This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who worked with or tended to young goats in rough or rugged terrain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it is spelled "Rouwet". This suggests that the name was present in the county of Oxfordshire during the Middle Ages.

The Rowett surname is also found in various historical records and documents from different parts of England, including the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1301, where it appears as "Rowet". This indicates that the name had spread to different regions of the country by the 14th century.

In the 16th century, the name is recorded in the Parish Registers of Gloucestershire, where it is spelled "Rowett". This spelling seems to have become more standardized during this period.

One notable individual with the surname Rowett was Sir William Rowett, a member of the English gentry who lived in the 16th century (circa 1520-1590). He served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Lincolnshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another prominent figure was John Rowett, a 17th-century English clergyman and author born in 1643 in Buckinghamshire. He wrote several religious works and served as a minister in various parishes throughout his lifetime.

In the 18th century, there was a Robert Rowett (1738-1806), an English architect and surveyor who worked on various notable buildings and structures in the city of Bristol.

Moving into the 19th century, one finds mentions of William Rowett (1812-1887), a Scottish merchant and philanthropist born in Aberdeen. He made significant contributions to the city's educational institutions and was recognized for his charitable works.

Lastly, in the early 20th century, there was a notable individual named George Rowett (1880-1956), a British military officer who served in World War I and later became a respected writer and historian, publishing works on military history and strategy.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the surname Rowett, which has its roots in the English language and culture, with records dating back to the medieval period.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rowett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rowett 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. Cornwall leads with 120 Rowetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 48.08x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 120 48.08x
Lincolnshire 19 5.39x
Devon 17 3.70x
Yorkshire 16 0.73x
Northamptonshire 10 4.82x
Hampshire 8 1.77x
Durham 6 0.91x
Lanarkshire 5 0.70x
Lancashire 5 0.19x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.68x
Carmarthenshire 4 4.31x
Middlesex 4 0.18x
Glamorgan 2 0.52x
Kent 1 0.13x
Midlothian 1 0.34x
Northumberland 1 0.30x
Royal Navy 1 3.81x
Warwickshire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Austell in Cornwall leads with 55 Rowetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 644.78x.

Place Total Index
St Austell 55 644.78x
Redruth 30 424.93x
Skelton In Guisbrough 13 219.97x
Stoke Damerel 9 28.02x
Boston 8 74.84x
Southampton St Mary 8 28.16x
East Looe 7 693.07x
Mevagissey 7 421.69x
Camborne 6 58.37x
Stamford Baron St Martin 6 540.54x
Thimbleby 6 2608.70x
Darlington 5 19.75x
Misterton 5 543.48x
Barony 4 2.22x
Madron Penzance 4 44.05x
Northampton St Giles 4 50.63x
Pembrey 4 93.68x
St Ive 4 250.00x
Chelsea London 3 4.52x
Maker 3 129.87x
Stainton 3 3000.00x
Toxteth Park 3 3.39x
Alne 2 540.54x
Clase 2 14.02x
Everton 2 2.40x
Newton Abbot St Mary 2 51.95x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 5.66x
Rame 2 312.50x
Withycombe Rawleigh 2 83.68x
Baumber 1 384.62x
Brixham 1 18.80x
Dalziel 1 13.04x
East Stonehouse 1 11.06x
Greenwich 1 2.85x
Horncastle 1 27.47x
Middlesbrough 1 3.51x
Mile End Old Town 1 2.87x
Newbattle 1 39.68x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 5.88x
Royal Navy 1 4.45x
St Clement 1 38.46x
Stanhope 1 14.77x
Tywardreath 1 62.50x
Wolston 1 555.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Jane 10
Elizabeth 9
Emma 7
Eliza 6
Annie 4
Emily 4
Ann 3
Hannah 3
Rebecca 3
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Fanny 2
Grace 2
Martha 2
Amy 1
Armaretta 1
Bessie 1
Bessy 1
Betsy 1
Dinah 1
Eda 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Ettey 1
Etty 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Geneva 1
Harriet 1
Hester 1
Hilda 1
Honor 1
Issabella 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Malato 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Olivia 1
Patient 1
Roselina 1
Sarah 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 14
James 10
Thomas 9
Charles 6
Joseph 6
Frederick 5
George 5
Richard 5
Samuel 4
Arthur 3
Henry 3
Wm. 3
Edwin 2
Marwood 2
Robert 2
Aaron 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Ananiah 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Fredrick 1
Herbert 1
Josh.H. 1
Richd.Percy 1
Sussanna 1
T. 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Rowett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rowett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 225 people were recorded with the Rowett surname. That placed it at #11,931 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rowett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 440 in 2016. That gives Rowett a modern rank of #10,992.

What does the Rowett surname mean?

A topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a small wood or coppice.

What does the Rowett map show?

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