NameCensus.

UK surname

Rowney

An English surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone who lived in a rowdy or unruly area.

In the 1881 census there were 330 people recorded with the Rowney surname, ranking it #9,088 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 520, ranked #9,720, down from #9,088 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Risley, London parishes and Gransden, Great. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carrick South, Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rowney is 575 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.6%.

1881 census count

330

Ranked #9,088

Modern count

520

2016, ranked #9,720

Peak year

2011

575 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rowney had 330 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,088 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 520 in 2016, ranked #9,720.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 409 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Rowney surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rowney surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rowney 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 175 #11,542
1861 historical 255 #9,699
1881 historical 330 #9,088
1891 historical 360 #9,614
1901 historical 383 #9,760
1911 historical 409 #9,140
1997 modern 518 #9,066
1998 modern 536 #9,099
1999 modern 532 #9,208
2000 modern 533 #9,169
2001 modern 529 #9,071
2002 modern 531 #9,227
2003 modern 525 #9,162
2004 modern 541 #8,964
2005 modern 527 #9,099
2006 modern 520 #9,208
2007 modern 524 #9,230
2008 modern 529 #9,229
2009 modern 534 #9,377
2010 modern 564 #9,185
2011 modern 575 #8,967
2012 modern 534 #9,391
2013 modern 539 #9,497
2014 modern 540 #9,535
2015 modern 531 #9,584
2016 modern 520 #9,720

Geography

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Where Rowneys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Risley, London parishes, Gransden, Great and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carrick South, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, East Lindsey and Castle Point. 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 Risley Bedfordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gransden, Great Cambridgeshire
4 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carrick South South Ayrshire
2 Middlesbrough 008 Middlesbrough
3 Stockton-on-Tees 008 Stockton-on-Tees
4 East Lindsey 010 East Lindsey
5 Castle Point 001 Castle Point

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rowney

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rowney

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rowney, 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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Rowney surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rowney household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Rowney is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rowney is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rowney falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rowney

The surname Rowney is believed to have originated in England, with its roots tracing back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English word "ruh," meaning rough or rugged, and "ing," signifying a place or settlement. The name likely referred to someone who resided in a rugged or hilly area.

During the Middle Ages, the name Rowney was prevalent in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Ruhening" or "Rueing."

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Rowney was Sir William Rowney (1460-1536), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1522. He played a significant role in the city's affairs and was known for his philanthropic endeavors.

Another remarkable individual was John Rowney (1568-1633), a celebrated English composer and musician. His works, including madrigals and sacred music, were highly regarded during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.

In the 18th century, the name Rowney gained prominence through the achievements of Thomas Rowney (1712-1784), an influential English artist and art supplier. He established the renowned Rowney art materials company, which continues to be a leading brand in the art supplies industry to this day.

The name Rowney has also been associated with places such as Rowney Green, a village in Worcestershire, and Rowney Abbey, a former monastic site in Hertfordshire. These locations likely derived their names from early settlers bearing the Rowney surname.

One of the most prominent figures with the Rowney surname was Sir Thomas Rowney (1857-1927), a distinguished British naval officer and author. He served in the Royal Navy for over four decades and was knighted for his distinguished service during World War I.

Throughout history, the surname Rowney has been recorded with various spellings, including Rouney, Rougney, Rownay, and Rownee, reflecting the evolution of language and regional variations. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, the name Rowney has left a lasting mark on various aspects of British history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rowney families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rowney 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. Warwickshire leads with 45 Rowneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.56x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 45 5.56x
Worcestershire 39 9.31x
Bedfordshire 35 21.06x
Middlesex 31 0.97x
Lancashire 24 0.63x
Lanarkshire 18 1.73x
Yorkshire 18 0.57x
Durham 16 1.68x
Cambridgeshire 15 7.38x
Surrey 15 0.96x
Huntingdonshire 11 17.26x
Nottinghamshire 9 2.08x
Staffordshire 8 0.74x
Gloucestershire 6 0.95x
Norfolk 5 1.01x
Northamptonshire 4 1.33x
Cumberland 3 1.09x
Essex 3 0.47x
Kent 3 0.27x
Northumberland 3 0.63x
Stirlingshire 3 2.53x
Angus 2 0.67x
Cheshire 2 0.28x
Devon 2 0.30x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.52x
Cardiganshire 1 1.28x
Derbyshire 1 0.20x
Hampshire 1 0.15x
Hertfordshire 1 0.45x
Oxfordshire 1 0.50x
Peeblesshire 1 6.63x
Sussex 1 0.18x
Wiltshire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 17 Rowneys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.30x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 17 6.30x
Riseley 13 1238.10x
Beoley 11 1641.79x
Great Gransden 11 1571.43x
Inkberrow 11 650.89x
Old Monkland 10 24.28x
Clapham 9 22.43x
Manchester 9 5.26x
Nottingham St Mary 9 8.04x
Bradford 8 10.39x
Shoreditch London 8 5.75x
Gamlingay 7 330.19x
Toxteth Park 7 5.43x
Caxton 6 967.74x
Kings Norton 6 15.97x
Stevington 6 869.57x
Stoke 6 377.36x
Alvechurch 5 280.90x
Bedford St Paul 5 43.86x
Cardington 5 370.37x
Gateshead 5 7.00x
Roystone 5 403.23x
West Walton 5 531.91x
Westminster St James 5 15.16x
Wolsingham 5 57.47x
Aston 4 1.79x
Barony 4 1.52x
Battersea 4 3.39x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 4 6.75x
Glasgow 4 2.17x
Rowington 4 439.56x
Sowe 4 273.97x
St Pancras London 4 1.55x
Bedlington 3 18.82x
Coventry Holy Trinity 3 12.42x
Halesowen 3 81.52x
Kilsyth 3 39.74x
Kirkoswald 3 461.54x
Little Chesterford 3 1250.00x
Pattingham 3 666.67x
Stockton On Tees 3 6.52x
Stoke Newington London 3 12.00x
Wednesfield 3 18.82x
Wellingborough 3 19.76x
Beverley St Martin 2 37.66x
Beverley St Mary 2 43.10x
Coventry St Michael 2 7.69x
Dundee 2 1.80x
Edgbaston 2 7.97x
Golborne 2 40.32x
Hackney London 2 1.11x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 2 4.84x
Hornsey 2 4.93x
Islington London 2 0.64x
Northfield 2 25.16x
Rusholme 2 19.69x
Sharnbrook 2 217.39x
Wolston Marston 2 327.87x
Belbroughton 1 46.08x
Brighton 1 0.92x
Bulkington 1 57.14x
Chelsea London 1 1.03x
Chipping Norton 1 21.83x
Clarach 1 400.00x
Eckington 1 8.19x
Farnborough 1 14.47x
Harrold 1 89.29x
Kensington London 1 0.56x
Kettering 1 8.19x
Luton 1 3.48x
Macclesfield 1 3.18x
Milton In Gravesend 1 6.09x
Peebles 1 22.42x
Pelsall 1 31.06x
Sale 1 11.51x
St Marylebone London 1 0.58x
Stafford St Mary 1 6.52x
Streatham 1 4.20x
Swindon 1 4.54x
Whitworth 1 14.31x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 17
James 14
Thomas 11
George 9
Charles 7
Alfred 6
Henry 6
Arthur 5
Joseph 5
Edward 4
Samuel 4
Walter 3
Ernest 2
Jas. 2
Richard 2
Thos. 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Alfd. 1
Alphonsus 1
Auther 1
Bernard 1
Caleb 1
Charlie 1
Clara 1
Clement 1
Daniel 1
Edw. 1
Elizabeth 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Herbert 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Ignatius 1
Joe 1
Johnson 1
Jonathan 1
Leonard 1
Matthew 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Sheldon 1
Stephen 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Rowney surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rowney surname in 1881?

In 1881, 330 people were recorded with the Rowney surname. That placed it at #9,088 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rowney surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 520 in 2016. That gives Rowney a modern rank of #9,720.

What does the Rowney surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name, possibly referring to someone who lived in a rowdy or unruly area.

What does the Rowney map show?

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