NameCensus.

UK surname

Rumley

A locational surname originating from a place called Rumley in England.

In the 1881 census there were 210 people recorded with the Rumley surname, ranking it #12,440 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 295, ranked #14,915, down from #12,440 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Lancaster Borough and St James and St Paul. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swale, Canterbury and Newark and Sherwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rumley is 346 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.5%.

1881 census count

210

Ranked #12,440

Modern count

295

2016, ranked #14,915

Peak year

1998

346 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rumley had 210 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,440 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 295 in 2016, ranked #14,915.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 299 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Rumley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rumley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rumley 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 168 #11,873
1861 historical 136 #16,556
1881 historical 210 #12,440
1891 historical 258 #12,440
1901 historical 277 #12,281
1911 historical 299 #11,475
1997 modern 337 #12,522
1998 modern 346 #12,630
1999 modern 342 #12,829
2000 modern 332 #13,023
2001 modern 321 #13,125
2002 modern 330 #13,140
2003 modern 322 #13,192
2004 modern 327 #13,094
2005 modern 324 #13,108
2006 modern 326 #13,128
2007 modern 323 #13,351
2008 modern 316 #13,661
2009 modern 324 #13,689
2010 modern 319 #14,110
2011 modern 306 #14,410
2012 modern 303 #14,415
2013 modern 303 #14,651
2014 modern 316 #14,301
2015 modern 306 #14,536
2016 modern 295 #14,915

Geography

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Where Rumleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Lancaster Borough, St James and St Paul, Dartford and Alfreton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swale, Canterbury, Newark and Sherwood and Watford. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
3 St James and St Paul Gloucestershire
4 Dartford Kent
5 Alfreton Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swale 012 Swale
2 Canterbury 012 Canterbury
3 Newark and Sherwood 003 Newark and Sherwood
4 Watford 002 Watford
5 Canterbury 016 Canterbury

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rumley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rumley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rumley, 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 Rumley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rumley 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rumley is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Rumley is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rumley 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 Rumley 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Rumley

The surname Rumley is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Romeley or Rumley, located in the county of Shropshire. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "rum," meaning spacious or roomy, and "leah," meaning a woodland clearing or meadow.

One of the earliest known records of the surname Rumley can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire from the year 1180, where a William de Rumelie is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region during that time period.

The Rumley surname is also found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of landholders in England. This document mentions a Robert de Romelee from Worcestershire, indicating the name's presence in neighboring counties as well.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Romelay, Romeley, and Rumley, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. One notable figure from this time was John Rumley, a landowner from Staffordshire, who was recorded in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1332.

During the 16th century, the surname gained prominence with the rise of Thomas Rumley (c. 1500-1567), a prominent English lawyer and Member of Parliament. He served as the recorder of Gloucester and was known for his legal expertise.

Another notable bearer of the Rumley name was Robert Rumley (1592-1658), an English clergyman and author. He served as the rector of Woodham Walter in Essex and wrote several religious works, including "The Practice of Piety" and "The Heavenly Conversation."

In the 18th century, John Rumley (1721-1794) was a respected English engraver and artist. He is known for his intricate copper engravings and illustrations, many of which depicted scenes from classical literature and mythology.

Moving into the 19th century, Sir Samuel Wilkinson Rumley (1826-1909) was a prominent English industrialist and engineer. He founded the Rumley Engineering Company, which specialized in the production of agricultural machinery and played a significant role in the development of modern farming equipment.

Throughout its history, the Rumley surname has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire, where its earliest roots can be traced.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rumley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rumley 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. Kent leads with 58 Rumleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.26x.

County Total Index
Kent 58 8.26x
Middlesex 28 1.36x
Gloucestershire 22 5.45x
Lancashire 21 0.86x
Yorkshire 19 0.93x
Nottinghamshire 18 6.49x
Durham 15 2.45x
Derbyshire 10 3.10x
Surrey 6 0.60x
Hampshire 3 0.71x
Cumberland 2 1.13x
Glamorgan 2 0.56x
Somerset 2 0.60x
Berkshire 1 0.65x
Brecknockshire 1 2.43x
Hertfordshire 1 0.70x
Royal Navy 1 4.08x
Sussex 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dartford in Kent leads with 28 Rumleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 389.97x.

Place Total Index
Dartford 28 389.97x
Skerton 15 746.27x
Alfreton 10 102.15x
Ollerton 9 1551.72x
Pinxton 9 548.78x
Brandon Byshottles 8 104.30x
Bristol St James St Paul 7 52.01x
Chartham 7 400.00x
Islington London 7 3.51x
Milton In Milton 7 234.90x
Leeds 6 5.21x
Wye 6 550.46x
Bristol St Paul In 5 46.51x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 13.16x
Limehouse London 5 22.13x
Kensington London 4 3.50x
Ramsgate 4 34.90x
Sheffield 4 6.16x
Westminster St John 4 15.96x
Bristol St Peter 3 208.33x
Holy Trinity 3 6.12x
Mile End Old Town 3 9.23x
Sculcoates 3 9.28x
Burnley 2 9.72x
Camberwell 2 1.52x
Habergham Eaves 2 8.96x
Heworth 2 16.57x
Lambeth 2 1.11x
Minster In Thanet 2 136.99x
Nafferton 2 229.89x
Ratcliffe London 2 17.59x
Rickergate 2 53.33x
Ryhope 2 47.06x
Southwark St Saviour 2 18.90x
St George Hanover 2 7.45x
Tickenham 2 869.57x
Tunstall 2 65.57x
Ventnor 2 49.88x
Brighton 1 1.43x
Bristol St Michael 1 28.90x
Bristol Temple 1 37.59x
Chalk 1 416.67x
Charlton 1 21.46x
Chilham 1 100.00x
Harton 1 41.32x
Hulme 1 1.96x
Levenshulme 1 39.84x
Llangattock 1 29.85x
Llanwonno 1 7.76x
Margate St John Baptist 1 7.78x
Millbrook 1 9.42x
Paddington London 1 1.32x
Reading St Giles 1 6.60x
Roath 1 6.14x
Royal Navy 1 4.77x
St Albans St Peter 1 20.88x
Templenewsam 1 67.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Elizabeth 13
Jane 9
Maria 6
Alice 5
Sarah 5
Ann 3
Kate 3
Margaret 3
Agnes 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Florence 2
Martha 2
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Blanche 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Effie 1
Effield 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Elsie 1
Ethel 1
Gertrude 1
Helen 1
Janet 1
Juliet 1
Louise 1
Lucy 1
Margt. 1
Matilda 1
May 1
Pollie 1
Rachel 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Susan 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
George 12
John 12
Charles 9
Thomas 8
Henry 6
James 5
Alfred 4
Frederick 4
Edward 3
Joseph 3
Robert 3
Arthur 2
Walter 2
Arther 1
Benjamin 1
Charlie 1
Cornelius 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Harry 1
Jas 1
Julian 1
Lewis 1
Newcombe 1
Ralph 1
Randal 1
Richard 1
Romeo 1
Thos.Wm. 1
Willis 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Rumley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rumley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 210 people were recorded with the Rumley surname. That placed it at #12,440 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rumley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 295 in 2016. That gives Rumley a modern rank of #14,915.

What does the Rumley surname mean?

A locational surname originating from a place called Rumley in England.

What does the Rumley map show?

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