NameCensus.

UK surname

Ruffell

A surname derived from an Old French word meaning "agitated" or "ruffled".

In the 1881 census there were 603 people recorded with the Ruffell surname, ranking it #5,808 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 946, ranked #6,062, down from #5,808 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Brightlingsea and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Babergh, High Peak and Tendring.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ruffell is 1,015 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.9%.

1881 census count

603

Ranked #5,808

Modern count

946

2016, ranked #6,062

Peak year

1911

1,015 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ruffell had 603 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,808 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 946 in 2016, ranked #6,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,015 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Ruffell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ruffell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ruffell 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 403 #6,004
1861 historical 364 #7,023
1881 historical 603 #5,808
1891 historical 662 #5,873
1901 historical 898 #5,154
1911 historical 1,015 #4,487
1997 modern 942 #5,755
1998 modern 987 #5,733
1999 modern 977 #5,813
2000 modern 983 #5,777
2001 modern 967 #5,741
2002 modern 961 #5,864
2003 modern 924 #5,958
2004 modern 924 #5,956
2005 modern 940 #5,827
2006 modern 951 #5,790
2007 modern 964 #5,780
2008 modern 969 #5,786
2009 modern 960 #5,961
2010 modern 988 #5,929
2011 modern 988 #5,877
2012 modern 963 #5,914
2013 modern 965 #5,999
2014 modern 973 #5,997
2015 modern 960 #6,015
2016 modern 946 #6,062

Geography

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Where Ruffells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Brightlingsea, Lambeth and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Babergh, High Peak, Tendring, Cornwall and Basingstoke and Deane. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Brightlingsea Essex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Babergh 001 Babergh
2 High Peak 006 High Peak
3 Tendring 011 Tendring
4 Cornwall 067 Cornwall
5 Basingstoke and Deane 020 Basingstoke and Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ruffell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ruffell

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Ruffell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ruffell 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ruffell

The surname RUFFELL originated in England during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "hrug" meaning rough or rugged, and "fell" meaning a hill or high ground. This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived in a rugged, hilly area.

The earliest recorded instances of the RUFFELL surname date back to the 13th century. In 1273, a Robert Ruggefelle was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Shropshire. The Hundred Rolls were a census-like record compiled in England during the reign of King Edward I.

In the 14th century, the RUFFELL surname appeared in various spellings, including Ruggefeld, Rugfelle, and Ruggefell. These variations reflect the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping during that time period.

One of the earliest known bearers of the RUFFELL name was John Ruggefell, who was recorded in the Calais Musters of 1384. These were military records of English soldiers stationed in the French town of Calais during the Hundred Years' War.

Over the centuries, the RUFFELL surname has been associated with several notable individuals. William Ruffell (1530-1597) was an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Archdeacon of Taunton. Thomas Ruffell (1685-1753) was a British engraver and cartographer who produced maps and engravings for various publications.

In the literary world, Elizabeth Ruffell (1793-1849) was an English author who wrote several novels and poems. Her works included "The Outcast" and "Penshurst Castle."

Another prominent figure with the RUFFELL surname was Sir Thomas Ruffell (1864-1941), a British businessman and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament for Grantham from 1910 to 1918 and was knighted in 1920 for his contributions to industry and public service.

The RUFFELL name has also been associated with certain place names in England, such as Ruffell's Green in Warwickshire and Ruffell's Farm in Hampshire. These locations may have derived their names from individuals or families bearing the RUFFELL surname who resided or owned land there.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ruffell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ruffell 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. Middlesex leads with 138 Ruffells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 138 2.37x
Essex 134 11.68x
Surrey 64 2.26x
Hampshire 61 5.12x
Suffolk 60 8.47x
Kent 39 1.97x
Lancashire 21 0.30x
Norfolk 13 1.45x
Cheshire 10 0.78x
Warwickshire 8 0.55x
Wiltshire 8 1.56x
Yorkshire 8 0.14x
Bedfordshire 7 2.33x
Berkshire 7 1.60x
Cambridgeshire 4 1.09x
Devon 2 0.17x
Hertfordshire 2 0.50x
Leicestershire 2 0.31x
Somerset 2 0.21x
Derbyshire 1 0.11x
Gloucestershire 1 0.09x
Lincolnshire 1 0.11x
Northamptonshire 1 0.18x
Oxfordshire 1 0.28x
Staffordshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brightlingsea in Essex leads with 44 Ruffells recorded in 1881 and an index of 670.73x.

Place Total Index
Brightlingsea 44 670.73x
Islington London 30 5.32x
Bethnal Green London 22 8.71x
Hammersmith London 19 13.27x
Chelmsford 16 81.26x
Cockfield 15 806.45x
Lambeth 15 2.96x
Southampton All Sts 15 73.35x
Camberwell 13 3.50x
Dorking 11 57.83x
Cheetham 9 17.49x
Newington 9 4.19x
Rotherhithe 9 12.53x
Tonbridge 9 12.58x
Alton 8 89.09x
Birmingham 8 1.64x
Poplar London 8 7.29x
Rodbourne Cheney 8 201.51x
St Luke London 8 8.58x
West Bergholt 8 373.83x
Battisford 7 804.60x
Chester Holy Trinity 7 116.28x
Holy Trinity 7 5.05x
Hornsey 7 9.52x
Kensington London 7 2.17x
Norwich St Benedict 7 175.88x
Shillington 7 158.01x
South Ockendon 7 294.12x
West Ham 7 2.76x
Great Bolton 6 6.57x
Norwich St Clement 6 57.92x
Pitsea 6 1500.00x
Sherfield Upon Loddon 6 468.75x
Stowmarket 6 73.35x
East Ham 5 23.47x
Great Baddow 5 122.55x
Great Coggeshall 5 83.75x
Great Dunmow 5 83.61x
Greenwich 5 5.40x
Hackney London 5 1.53x
Haughley 5 282.49x
Lavenham 5 135.14x
Mile End Old Town 5 5.45x
Plumstead 5 7.56x
Rochester St Nicholas 5 81.04x
Bromley London 4 3.13x
Chignall St James 4 952.38x
Elmstead 4 216.22x
Epsom 4 28.96x
Gillingham 4 9.78x
Hurst 4 70.05x
Ipswich St Peter 4 41.97x
Rayleigh 4 151.52x
Rochester St Margaret 4 19.12x
Shadwell London 4 24.59x
Southampton St Michael 4 102.04x
St Pancras London 4 0.85x
Sudbury St Gregory 4 70.42x
Sutton 4 131.15x
Thorpe Le Soken 4 416.67x
Yateley 4 177.78x
Chester St Michael 3 198.68x
Cove 3 192.31x
Dovercourt 3 74.26x
Havant 3 49.75x
Lewisham 3 2.84x
Reading St Giles 3 7.01x
Fornham All Sts 2 238.10x
Ilminster 2 30.58x
Kersey 2 202.02x
Little Bolton 2 2.25x
Monks Eleigh 2 173.91x
Salford 2 0.99x
Sheet 2 155.04x
Shoreditch London 2 0.79x
Sidmouth 2 28.86x
St Martin In Fields 2 5.75x
Syston 2 33.17x
Wonersh 2 56.66x
Woolwich 2 2.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Elizabeth 23
Sarah 16
Emily 15
Annie 12
Eliza 12
Ann 11
Kate 10
Emma 8
Jane 8
Maria 8
Alice 7
Ellen 7
Sophia 7
Caroline 5
Edith 5
Louisa 5
Minnie 5
Rose 5
Ada 4
Clara 4
Florence 4
Hannah 4
Harriet 4
Martha 4
Agnes 3
Beatrice 3
Grace 3
Jessie 3
Maude 3
Charlotte 2
Eleanor 2
Esther 2
Flora 2
Frances 2
Laura 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Phoebe 2
Priscilla 2
Rosa 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Brunith. 1
Cecilia 1
Elizebeth 1
Elza 1
Lilian 1
Lillie 1
Violetta 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 50
John 31
George 30
Thomas 18
Henry 15
James 13
Charles 11
Edward 10
Robert 6
Alfred 5
David 5
Herbert 5
Richard 5
Samuel 5
Arthur 4
Harry 4
Joseph 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Ernest 3
Frederick 3
Jeffery 3
Daniel 2
Frank 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Lawrence 2
Sidney 2
Wm. 2
Bertie 1
Edwd.J. 1
Emanuel 1
Fredk.G. 1
Fredk.H. 1
Geo. 1
Geo.Newman 1
Gorge 1
Henery 1
Horatio 1
Joe 1
Jos. 1
Oscar 1
Otho 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1
Reuben 1
Romanel 1
Theophilhis 1
Wm.C. 1

FAQ

Ruffell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ruffell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 603 people were recorded with the Ruffell surname. That placed it at #5,808 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ruffell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 946 in 2016. That gives Ruffell a modern rank of #6,062.

What does the Ruffell surname mean?

A surname derived from an Old French word meaning "agitated" or "ruffled".

What does the Ruffell map show?

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