NameCensus.

UK surname

Rudolf

A German surname derived from the Germanic name Rodolf, meaning "famous wolf".

In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Rudolf surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 110, ranked #29,225, up from #29,646 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, City of London and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rudolf is 118 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 292.9%.

1881 census count

28

Ranked #29,646

Modern count

110

2016, ranked #29,225

Peak year

2010

118 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rudolf had 28 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,646 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016, ranked #29,225.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 87 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Rudolf surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rudolf surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rudolf 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1881 historical 28 #29,646
1891 historical 45 #30,747
1901 historical 45 #29,156
1911 historical 87 #24,147
1997 modern 87 #28,749
1998 modern 92 #28,680
1999 modern 88 #29,287
2000 modern 101 #27,555
2001 modern 93 #28,382
2002 modern 103 #27,443
2003 modern 90 #29,260
2004 modern 89 #29,623
2005 modern 88 #29,831
2006 modern 96 #28,946
2007 modern 97 #29,156
2008 modern 103 #28,519
2009 modern 109 #28,145
2010 modern 118 #27,404
2011 modern 107 #28,979
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 115 #28,176
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 110 #29,225

Geography

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Where Rudolfs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Camden, City of London, Barnet, Hounslow and Coventry. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Camden 026 Camden
2 City of London 001 City of London
3 Barnet 012 Barnet
4 Hounslow 008 Hounslow
5 Coventry 033 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rudolf

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rudolf

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Rudolf surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Rudolf 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Rudolf is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Rudolf is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rudolf falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rudolf 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Rudolf

The surname Rudolf has its origins in the Germanic language and is derived from the elements "hruod" meaning "fame" and "wulf" meaning "wolf". It was originally a personal name that later became a hereditary surname.

The name can be traced back to the 8th century and was initially found in areas that are now parts of modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Early records show variations in spelling, such as Rodolf, Rudolph, and Ruodolf.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval charters and documents from the 9th century, which mentions a person named Ruodolfus.

During the Middle Ages, the name gained prominence with several notable figures bearing it. Rudolf I, also known as Rudolf of Habsburg (1218-1291), was the first King of the Romans from the House of Habsburg. He played a significant role in the consolidation of the Habsburg dynasty in Central Europe.

Another notable figure was Rudolf II (1552-1612), the Holy Roman Emperor who was known for his patronage of the arts and sciences during the Renaissance period. His reign saw the rise of Prague as a cultural center in Europe.

In the 16th century, Rudolf Agricola (1444-1485), a Dutch humanist and philosopher, made significant contributions to the study of logic and rhetoric. His works influenced the intellectual discourse of the time.

The name also found its way into literature, with Rudolf Erich Raspe (1737-1794), a German writer and librarian, best known for his fictional work "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen".

In the 19th century, Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902), a German physician and anthropologist, made groundbreaking contributions to the field of pathology and is regarded as one of the founders of modern scientific medicine.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the surname Rudolf throughout history, showcasing its prevalence and significance across various fields and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rudolf families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rudolf 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. Lancashire leads with 10 Rudolfs recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.09x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 10 3.09x
Cheshire 7 11.62x
Middlesex 5 1.83x
Glamorgan 3 6.31x
Surrey 2 1.50x
Kent 1 1.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 8 Rudolfs recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.69x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 8 40.69x
Higher Bebington 7 1794.87x
St John Near Swansea 3 508.47x
St Marylebone London 3 20.59x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 38.91x
Clapham 2 58.65x
Greenwich 1 23.04x
Hampstead London 1 23.53x
Islington London 1 3.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Maximilian 2
Robert 2
William 2
Frederick 1
George 1
God. 1
James 1
John 1
Marmun 1
Maximillian 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Rudolf households.

FAQ

Rudolf surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rudolf surname in 1881?

In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Rudolf surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rudolf surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016. That gives Rudolf a modern rank of #29,225.

What does the Rudolf surname mean?

A German surname derived from the Germanic name Rodolf, meaning "famous wolf".

What does the Rudolf map show?

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