NameCensus.

UK surname

Rowntree

A locational surname referring to someone from a place with rowan trees.

In the 1881 census there were 884 people recorded with the Rowntree surname, ranking it #4,298 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,477, ranked #4,169, up from #4,298 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon), Hartlepool and Stranton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sunderland, Stockton-on-Tees and North Warwickshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rowntree is 1,636 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 67.1%.

1881 census count

884

Ranked #4,298

Modern count

1,477

2016, ranked #4,169

Peak year

2002

1,636 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rowntree had 884 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,298 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,477 in 2016, ranked #4,169.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,256 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Rowntree surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rowntree surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rowntree 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 417 #5,829
1861 historical 433 #5,944
1881 historical 884 #4,298
1891 historical 920 #4,495
1901 historical 1,152 #4,228
1911 historical 1,256 #3,784
1997 modern 1,531 #3,842
1998 modern 1,578 #3,880
1999 modern 1,599 #3,877
2000 modern 1,603 #3,852
2001 modern 1,593 #3,790
2002 modern 1,636 #3,763
2003 modern 1,545 #3,896
2004 modern 1,529 #3,936
2005 modern 1,489 #3,986
2006 modern 1,485 #3,994
2007 modern 1,537 #3,905
2008 modern 1,505 #4,019
2009 modern 1,560 #3,967
2010 modern 1,589 #3,976
2011 modern 1,538 #4,061
2012 modern 1,535 #3,996
2013 modern 1,527 #4,091
2014 modern 1,528 #4,111
2015 modern 1,490 #4,166
2016 modern 1,477 #4,169

Geography

Back to top

Where Rowntrees are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon), Hartlepool, Stranton, Bradford and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sunderland, Stockton-on-Tees and North Warwickshire. 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 Tynemouth (Chirton, Preston, Murton, Whitley, Monkseaton), Earsdon (Earsdon) Northumberland
2 Hartlepool Durham
3 Stranton Durham
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Bishop Wearmouth Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sunderland 021 Sunderland
2 Stockton-on-Tees 009 Stockton-on-Tees
3 Stockton-on-Tees 010 Stockton-on-Tees
4 North Warwickshire 003 North Warwickshire
5 Stockton-on-Tees 015 Stockton-on-Tees

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rowntree

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rowntree

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Rowntree 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

Rowntree is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rowntree 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 Rowntree 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 Rowntree, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rowntree

The surname Rowntree is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "roun" meaning "round" and "treow" meaning "tree". It likely originated as a locational name, referring to someone who lived near a round or circular-shaped tree or copse.

The earliest recorded reference to the Rowntree name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled as "Runtree". This suggests that the name has been in existence since at least the 11th century.

In the 13th century, records show a Richard de Rountree in Yorkshire, indicating the surname's strong association with the northern county. The spelling variations during this time included Rowntree, Rountree, and Roundtree.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Rowntree name was Thomas Rowntree, born in 1499 in Craike, Yorkshire. He was a notable landowner and farmer in the region.

Another notable figure was George Rowntree (1638-1708), a Quaker minister and writer from Yorkshire. He was a prominent member of the Society of Friends and authored several religious tracts.

The Rowntree surname is also connected to the historic village of Rounton, near Northallerton in North Yorkshire. The village's name is derived from the same Old English roots as the surname, indicating a potential place of origin.

In the 19th century, Joseph Rowntree (1836-1925) became a prominent figure in the Quaker community and the confectionery industry. He founded the Rowntree's confectionery company in York, which became a household name in Britain.

Another notable bearer of the Rowntree name was Arnold Rowntree (1872-1951), a British politician and social reformer. He served as a Member of Parliament and was instrumental in the establishment of the National Council for Civil Liberties (now known as Liberty).

Throughout history, the Rowntree surname has maintained a strong presence in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas, with many individuals bearing the name contributing to various fields, including religion, business, and politics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rowntree families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rowntree 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. Yorkshire leads with 378 Rowntrees recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.43x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 378 4.43x
Durham 250 9.76x
Northumberland 113 8.82x
Middlesex 49 0.57x
Cumberland 43 5.80x
Lancashire 25 0.24x
Lanarkshire 7 0.25x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.52x
Lincolnshire 5 0.36x
Sussex 3 0.21x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.19x
Hertfordshire 1 0.17x
Kent 1 0.03x
Shropshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bishopwearmouth in Durham leads with 50 Rowntrees recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.73x.

Place Total Index
Bishopwearmouth 50 22.73x
Stockton On Tees 33 26.72x
Tynemouth 33 48.08x
Hartlepool 29 79.63x
Bradford 24 11.62x
Elswick 22 21.51x
Holy Trinity 22 10.72x
Scarborough 22 28.37x
Linthorpe 20 39.26x
Middlesbrough 20 17.99x
Southcoates 16 33.77x
Bowling 15 17.74x
Bridlington 15 76.77x
Wallsend 14 34.45x
Longbenton 13 23.95x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 12 41.11x
Islington London 12 1.44x
Monkwearmouth Shore 12 23.99x
Sculcoates 11 8.13x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 10 59.35x
Norton 10 106.16x
Sunderland 10 22.10x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 10 33.99x
Barmston 9 468.75x
Earswick 9 2142.86x
Trimdon 9 99.34x
Westoe 9 6.20x
York St Maurice 9 56.01x
Bellerby 8 869.57x
Bishop Auckland 8 23.27x
Byers Green 8 110.65x
Chelsea London 8 3.08x
Crossgate 8 71.43x
Southwick 8 32.96x
Bishopwearmouth Panns 7 1272.73x
Eldon 7 172.41x
Govan 7 1.02x
Great Habton Little 7 1093.75x
Leyburn 7 243.90x
Manningham 7 6.66x
Middleton Tyas 7 432.10x
North Bierley 7 15.19x
Oldham 7 2.12x
Thornaby 7 21.95x
York St Martin Le Grand 7 603.45x
York St Michael Le 7 253.62x
Barnsley 6 6.82x
Brampton 6 59.00x
Chirton 6 20.69x
Cumwhitton 6 405.41x
Great Driffield 6 34.25x
Hackney London 6 1.24x
Kensington London 6 1.25x
Kingwater 6 612.24x
Leeds 6 1.24x
Old Malton 6 111.73x
Paddington London 6 1.89x
St Cuthbert W O Carleton 6 294.12x
Askerton 5 526.32x
Doncaster 5 8.02x
Howden 5 86.21x
Luttons Ambo 5 282.49x
Ogle 5 1612.90x
Wrawby 5 134.05x
Aislaby In Whitby 4 404.04x
Aston Cum Aughton 4 57.31x
Byker 4 6.31x
Esh 4 21.45x
Farlam 4 85.65x
Hexham 4 20.17x
Kirkby Moorside 4 73.66x
Pocklington 4 49.63x
St Pancras London 4 0.58x
York St Mary 4 11.32x
Brighton 3 1.02x
Hutton Cranswick 3 83.57x
Ingleby Greenhow 3 260.87x
St Marylebone London 3 0.65x
Tunstall 3 23.51x
Tuxford 3 105.26x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 66
Elizabeth 38
Ann 28
Sarah 28
Jane 24
Annie 19
Margaret 18
Isabella 16
Hannah 12
Eleanor 11
Ellen 11
Alice 9
Edith 8
Emily 8
Eliza 7
Catherine 6
Ada 5
Emma 5
Anne 4
Ethel 4
Frances 4
Kate 4
Louisa 4
Anna 3
Charlotte 3
Clara 3
Florence 3
Harriet 3
Laura 3
Maria 3
Minnie 3
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Betsy 2
Dorothy 2
Elizth. 2
Esther 2
Fanny 2
Gertrude 2
Helen 2
Hellen 2
Jessie 2
Kathleen 2
Lilly 2
Margret 2
Marion 2
Martha 2
Polly 2
Rose 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 60
William 54
Thomas 46
James 37
George 30
Robert 28
Richard 16
Joseph 13
Edward 9
Alfred 8
Charles 7
Henry 6
Francis 4
Fred 4
Harry 4
Mark 4
Nathan 4
Arthur 3
Christopher 3
Ernest 3
Matthew 3
Thos. 3
Walter 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
Anthony 2
Benjamin 2
David 2
Frederick 2
Geo. 2
Richardson 2
Andrew 1
Briaets 1
Britton 1
Cecil 1
Charley 1
Edwin 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Gilbert 1
H. 1
Hugh 1
Hunter 1
Jas. 1
Jno.Vaughan 1
Joe 1
Jonas 1
Josh.J. 1
Joshua 1

FAQ

Rowntree surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rowntree surname in 1881?

In 1881, 884 people were recorded with the Rowntree surname. That placed it at #4,298 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rowntree surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,477 in 2016. That gives Rowntree a modern rank of #4,169.

What does the Rowntree surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from a place with rowan trees.

What does the Rowntree map show?

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