NameCensus.

UK surname

Runcie

A Scottish surname derived from "run" meaning "red-haired" and "cie" meaning "little".

In the 1881 census there were 190 people recorded with the Runcie surname, ranking it #13,270 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 319, ranked #14,121, down from #13,270 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Cullen and Greenock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Portsoy, Fordyce and Cornhill, Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, Drybridge and Berryhillock and Fraserburgh Central-Academy.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Runcie is 325 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 67.9%.

1881 census count

190

Ranked #13,270

Modern count

319

2016, ranked #14,121

Peak year

2009

325 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Runcie had 190 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,270 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016, ranked #14,121.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 274 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Runcie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Runcie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Runcie 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 137 #13,812
1861 historical 153 #15,032
1881 historical 190 #13,270
1891 historical 262 #12,297
1901 historical 274 #12,370
1911 historical 23 #30,923
1997 modern 305 #13,377
1998 modern 320 #13,299
1999 modern 323 #13,315
2000 modern 324 #13,243
2001 modern 315 #13,291
2002 modern 318 #13,475
2003 modern 306 #13,641
2004 modern 299 #13,904
2005 modern 307 #13,625
2006 modern 301 #13,886
2007 modern 311 #13,703
2008 modern 306 #13,943
2009 modern 325 #13,657
2010 modern 320 #14,088
2011 modern 305 #14,439
2012 modern 300 #14,505
2013 modern 308 #14,482
2014 modern 306 #14,647
2015 modern 310 #14,402
2016 modern 319 #14,121

Geography

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Where Runcies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Cullen, Greenock, West Derby and Kilmarnock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Portsoy, Fordyce and Cornhill, Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, Drybridge and Berryhillock, Fraserburgh Central-Academy, Buckie Central East and Rosehearty and Strathbeg. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Cullen Banff
3 Greenock Renfrew
4 West Derby Lancashire
5 Kilmarnock Ayr

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Portsoy, Fordyce and Cornhill Aberdeenshire
2 Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, Drybridge and Berryhillock Moray
3 Fraserburgh Central-Academy Aberdeenshire
4 Buckie Central East Moray
5 Rosehearty and Strathbeg Aberdeenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Runcie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Runcie

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

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Runcie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Runcie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Runcie 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

Runcie 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

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

Meaning and origin of Runcie

The surname Runcie has its origins in Scotland, with the earliest records of the name dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "runcid," meaning "runcible" or "wrinkled," suggesting that the name may have been a descriptive nickname for someone with a wrinkled appearance.

One of the earliest known references to the Runcie name can be found in the Ragman Rolls, a collection of Scottish instruments of homage and fealty to Edward I of England, compiled in 1296. This document includes the names of several individuals bearing the Runcie surname, indicating their presence in Scotland during that time period.

The Runcie family is thought to have originated in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the regions of Berwickshire and Roxburghshire. Over time, variations in spelling emerged, including Runcy, Runcey, and Runciman, reflecting the fluidity of surname spellings in early historical records.

In the 16th century, records show a notable individual named Robert Runcie (c. 1505-1584), who served as the Bishop of Orkney from 1551 to 1558. He played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation and was known for his support of Protestant reforms.

Another prominent figure was James Runcie (1760-1820), a Scottish poet and writer who was born in Manorgan, Perthshire. He is best known for his works "The Pastoral Murmurs" and "The Lay of the Last Minstrel," which celebrated Scottish culture and traditions.

The 19th century saw the birth of Robert Runcie (1836-1912), a Scottish-born Australian politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1882 to 1902. He was a prominent figure in the Australian legal and political circles of his time.

In more recent history, Robert Runcie (1921-2000) was an influential figure in the Church of England, serving as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991. He played a crucial role in navigating the church through various challenges and controversies during his tenure.

While the Runcie surname may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has evolved into a respected family name with a rich history and notable individuals across various fields, particularly in Scotland and the broader United Kingdom.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Runcie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Runcie 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. Banffshire leads with 94 Runcies recorded in 1881 and an index of 243.27x.

County Total Index
Banffshire 94 243.27x
Aberdeenshire 32 18.55x
Lanarkshire 11 1.83x
Renfrewshire 11 7.62x
Ayrshire 9 6.46x
Lancashire 9 0.41x
Durham 8 1.44x
Angus 5 2.90x
Sutherland 5 34.89x
Devon 1 0.26x
Fife 1 0.91x
Midlothian 1 0.40x
Perthshire 1 1.20x
Royal Navy 1 4.50x
Shetland 1 5.25x
Yorkshire 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. Cullen in Banffshire leads with 78 Runcies recorded in 1881 and an index of 5454.55x.

Place Total Index
Cullen 78 5454.55x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 8 24.78x
Govan 8 5.37x
West Derby 8 12.37x
Inverkip 7 205.88x
Pitsligo 7 424.24x
Marnoch 6 288.46x
Aberdeen Old Machar 5 13.88x
Eddrachillis 5 515.46x
Fyvie 5 177.31x
Kilmarnock 5 30.14x
Alvah 4 459.77x
Bishopwearmouth 4 8.41x
Boyndie 4 312.50x
Dundee 4 6.21x
East Greenock 4 29.35x
Loudoun 3 89.55x
Barony 2 1.31x
Monquhitter 2 111.73x
Westoe 2 6.37x
Birkdale 1 17.89x
Crieff 1 32.15x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 1.00x
Fordyce 1 35.97x
Forfar 1 10.70x
Forgan 1 47.39x
Fraserburgh 1 20.58x
Gamrie 1 23.20x
Goole 1 32.36x
King Edward 1 50.25x
Lerwick Gulberwick 1 34.01x
Lesmahagow 1 15.70x
Longside 1 48.54x
Maybole 1 23.53x
New Machar 1 103.09x
Newton Abbot St Mary 1 30.77x
South Shields 1 20.24x
Stranton 1 5.36x
Udny 1 95.24x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 2
Rosina 2
Isabella 1
Jean 1
Jessie 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
David 2
Andrew 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Mathew 1
Walter 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 Runcie households.

FAQ

Runcie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Runcie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 190 people were recorded with the Runcie surname. That placed it at #13,270 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Runcie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016. That gives Runcie a modern rank of #14,121.

What does the Runcie surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from "run" meaning "red-haired" and "cie" meaning "little".

What does the Runcie map show?

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