NameCensus.

UK surname

Roxburgh

A Scottish surname derived from a place name referring to the royal burgh or town of Roxburgh.

In the 1881 census there were 925 people recorded with the Roxburgh surname, ranking it #4,151 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,331, ranked #4,516, down from #4,151 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Inverkeithing East, Nitshill and Mauchline Rural.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Roxburgh is 1,379 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 43.9%.

1881 census count

925

Ranked #4,151

Modern count

1,331

2016, ranked #4,516

Peak year

1999

1,379 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Roxburgh had 925 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,151 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,331 in 2016, ranked #4,516.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,106 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Roxburgh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Roxburgh surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Roxburgh 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 599 #4,279
1861 historical 676 #3,973
1881 historical 925 #4,151
1891 historical 979 #4,224
1901 historical 1,106 #4,365
1911 historical 370 #9,852
1997 modern 1,286 #4,434
1998 modern 1,348 #4,415
1999 modern 1,379 #4,357
2000 modern 1,378 #4,350
2001 modern 1,351 #4,326
2002 modern 1,355 #4,416
2003 modern 1,311 #4,452
2004 modern 1,340 #4,382
2005 modern 1,317 #4,396
2006 modern 1,299 #4,443
2007 modern 1,270 #4,572
2008 modern 1,275 #4,586
2009 modern 1,305 #4,592
2010 modern 1,333 #4,592
2011 modern 1,312 #4,602
2012 modern 1,296 #4,586
2013 modern 1,318 #4,599
2014 modern 1,332 #4,577
2015 modern 1,334 #4,526
2016 modern 1,331 #4,516

Geography

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Where Roxburghs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kilmarnock 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 Inverkeithing East, Nitshill, Mauchline Rural, Grange, Howard and Gargieston and Fareham. 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 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Glasgow Lanark
4 Kilmarnock Ayr
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Inverkeithing East Fife
2 Nitshill Glasgow City
3 Mauchline Rural East Ayrshire
4 Grange, Howard and Gargieston East Ayrshire
5 Fareham 010 Fareham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Roxburgh

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Roxburgh

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

Roxburgh is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Roxburgh falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Roxburgh

The surname Roxburgh is of Scottish origin, derived from the name of the former county of Roxburghshire, located in the Scottish Borders region. The name is believed to have originated from the Old English words "hrok" or "hroc," meaning a rook, and "burgh," meaning a fortified town or borough. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a settlement known for its rook population.

The name Roxburgh can be traced back to the 12th century, with references found in various historical records. One notable mention is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented individuals who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England after his invasion of Scotland. Several Roxburghs are listed in this document, indicating the name's presence during that period.

In the 14th century, the Roxburghs played a significant role in Scottish history. Sir James Roxburgh (c. 1320-1390) was a prominent military leader who fought alongside King David II at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346. He later served as the Keeper of Roxburgh Castle, which was a strategic stronghold in the Scottish-English border conflicts.

Another notable figure was Sir John Roxburgh (c. 1380-1450), a Scottish diplomat and ambassador who represented the Kingdom of Scotland in various negotiations with England and France. He was also appointed as the Lord Chamberlain of Scotland during the reign of King James I.

In the 16th century, the name Roxburgh appeared in the records of the Scottish Reformation. John Roxburgh (c. 1520-1580) was a Protestant reformer and one of the first ministers of the reformed Church of Scotland. He played a crucial role in establishing the Presbyterian system of church government in Scotland.

The 18th century saw the rise of James Roxburgh (1740-1808), a Scottish botanist and horticulturist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life. He served as the superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden in India and is credited with introducing numerous plant species to the region.

Throughout history, variations of the name have been recorded, such as Roxburghe, Roxborough, and Roxboro. These variations often reflect regional spellings or adaptations of the original name. Additionally, the name Roxburgh has been associated with various place names, including Roxburghshire, the town of Roxburgh, and Roxburgh Castle.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Roxburgh families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Roxburgh 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. Ayrshire leads with 173 Roxburghs recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.56x.

County Total Index
Ayrshire 173 25.56x
Lanarkshire 149 5.09x
Midlothian 88 7.26x
Fife 63 11.77x
Renfrewshire 63 8.99x
Lancashire 54 0.50x
Northumberland 48 3.57x
Durham 28 1.04x
Clackmannanshire 26 34.82x
Dunbartonshire 25 10.29x
Surrey 21 0.48x
Angus 20 2.39x
Dumfriesshire 15 7.51x
Middlesex 15 0.17x
Kirkcudbrightshire 12 9.17x
Roxburghshire 11 6.72x
Yorkshire 11 0.12x
Perthshire 9 2.22x
Worcestershire 9 0.76x
Cheshire 8 0.40x
Devon 8 0.43x
Staffordshire 8 0.26x
Selkirkshire 6 7.33x
Kinross-shire 5 21.87x
Stirlingshire 5 1.50x
Buteshire 4 7.30x
Somerset 4 0.27x
Warwickshire 4 0.18x
Essex 3 0.17x
Kent 3 0.10x
Oxfordshire 3 0.54x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.55x
Caithness 2 1.62x
Cumberland 2 0.26x
East Lothian 2 1.67x
Gloucestershire 2 0.11x
Royal Navy 2 1.86x
Suffolk 2 0.18x
Wigtownshire 2 1.67x
Argyllshire 1 0.40x
Berkshire 1 0.15x
Berwickshire 1 0.91x
Derbyshire 1 0.07x
Glamorgan 1 0.06x
Hampshire 1 0.05x
Herefordshire 1 0.27x
Peeblesshire 1 2.35x
Sussex 1 0.07x
West Lothian 1 0.73x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 63 Roxburghs recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.71x.

Place Total Index
Govan 63 8.71x
Barony 59 7.97x
Kilmarnock 56 69.52x
Dunfermline 48 58.32x
Galston 26 140.46x
Cramond 25 272.33x
Abbey 21 19.64x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 19 3.90x
Liverpool 17 2.61x
Loudoun 17 104.42x
West Derby 16 5.10x
Dollar 15 193.80x
Dundee 14 4.48x
Berwick Upon Tweed 12 42.09x
North Leith 12 21.41x
Alloa 11 30.37x
Glasgow 11 2.12x
Ayr 10 31.31x
East Greenock 10 15.11x
Loan End 10 2173.91x
New Cumnock 10 85.25x
Bonhill 9 23.07x
Everton 9 2.63x
Leslie 9 66.42x
Stockton On Tees 9 6.94x
Annan 8 46.62x
Byker 8 12.03x
Duddingston 8 32.89x
Dundonald 8 32.05x
Eastwood 8 18.54x
Kingston On Thames 8 7.56x
Melrose 8 56.50x
Newton On Ayr 8 39.47x
Tranmere 8 10.91x
Welland 8 295.20x
Brandon Byshottles 7 20.77x
Cardross 7 23.99x
Edinburgh Greenside 7 43.72x
Gateshead 7 3.48x
Kirkpatrick Durham 7 171.99x
Riccarton Hurlford 7 58.97x
Shipley 7 15.05x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 3.85x
Stafford St Mary 7 16.20x
West Greenock 7 5.56x
Bedlington 6 13.35x
Beith 6 29.72x
Cowpen 6 19.37x
Lesmahagow 6 19.40x
Liff Benvie 6 4.72x
Paisley Middle Church 6 14.71x
South Leith 6 4.40x
Accrington 5 5.13x
Ardrossan 5 21.34x
Dumfries 5 25.37x
Edinburgh New 5 53.14x
Girvan 5 29.43x
Hamilton 5 6.13x
Kinross 5 63.78x
Kirkcudbright 5 46.17x
Lambeth 5 0.63x
Old Kilpatrick 5 17.41x
Perth East Church 5 13.07x
Stevenston 5 28.34x
Stirling 5 11.89x
Toxteth Park 5 1.38x
Craigie 4 215.05x
East Stonehouse 4 10.79x
Innerleithen 4 5000.00x
Paddington London 4 1.20x
Port Glasgow 4 11.81x
Auchterderran 3 22.29x
Birmingham 3 0.39x
Jesmond 3 15.85x
Lanark 3 12.75x
Leyton 3 9.76x
Lilliesleaf 3 135.14x
Margate St John Baptist 3 5.31x
Oxford St Giles 3 11.26x
Westonsuper Mare 3 101.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Margaret 13
Sarah 9
Elizabeth 6
Jane 6
Ann 4
Eliza 3
Isabella 3
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Clara 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Helen 2
Jean 2
Margret 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Euphemina 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Hannah 1
Hatilla 1
Henrietta 1
Isabel 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lillian 1
M. 1
M.J. 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Minnie 1
Phillis 1
Polly 1
Rhoda 1
Sibella 1
Sophia 1
Virtue 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
James 20
John 12
Robert 9
Thomas 8
Alexander 7
David 7
Ralph 4
Alfred 3
Archibald 3
Charles 3
Edward 3
Arthur 2
Francis 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Allen 1
Daniel 1
Denis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
George 1
Hartley 1
Hugh 1
Jos. 1
Joshua 1
Leonard 1
Matthew 1
Peter 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Roxburgh surname: questions and answers

How common was the Roxburgh surname in 1881?

In 1881, 925 people were recorded with the Roxburgh surname. That placed it at #4,151 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Roxburgh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,331 in 2016. That gives Roxburgh a modern rank of #4,516.

What does the Roxburgh surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from a place name referring to the royal burgh or town of Roxburgh.

What does the Roxburgh map show?

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