NameCensus.

UK surname

Runnalls

A locational surname denoting someone who lived by a stream or river.

In the 1881 census there were 196 people recorded with the Runnalls surname, ranking it #13,006 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 196, ranked #19,848, down from #13,006 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Phillack, St Breward or Simonward and St Breock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Boston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Runnalls is 252 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.0%.

1881 census count

196

Ranked #13,006

Modern count

196

2016, ranked #19,848

Peak year

2002

252 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Runnalls had 196 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,006 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 196 in 2016, ranked #19,848.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 227 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Runnalls surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Runnalls surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Runnalls 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 145 #13,223
1861 historical 114 #19,011
1881 historical 196 #13,006
1891 historical 179 #16,198
1901 historical 182 #16,057
1911 historical 227 #13,795
1997 modern 206 #17,315
1998 modern 213 #17,431
1999 modern 223 #17,025
2000 modern 231 #16,610
2001 modern 237 #16,048
2002 modern 252 #15,714
2003 modern 249 #15,653
2004 modern 241 #16,086
2005 modern 221 #17,028
2006 modern 221 #17,149
2007 modern 218 #17,477
2008 modern 215 #17,809
2009 modern 207 #18,600
2010 modern 213 #18,660
2011 modern 217 #18,271
2012 modern 211 #18,539
2013 modern 204 #19,276
2014 modern 204 #19,439
2015 modern 199 #19,640
2016 modern 196 #19,848

Geography

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Where Runnalls' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Phillack, St Breward or Simonward, St Breock, Warleggon and Liskeard, St Cleer. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Boston. 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 Phillack Cornwall
2 St Breward or Simonward Cornwall
3 St Breock Cornwall
4 Warleggon Cornwall
5 Liskeard, St Cleer Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 011 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 009 Cornwall
4 Boston 007 Boston
5 Cornwall 024 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Runnalls

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Runnalls

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Runnalls surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Runnalls 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Runnalls is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Runnalls is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Runnalls falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Runnalls

The surname Runnalls is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the county of Derbyshire, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "run" or "ryn," which referred to a small stream or brook, combined with the suffix "-halh" or "-hall," meaning a nook or corner of land. This suggests that the name initially referred to someone who lived near a small stream or in a sheltered area.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Runnalls can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Runhale" in reference to a settlement in Derbyshire. This indicates that the name was already established in the region by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, records show variations of the name such as "Runnehale," "Runnehall," and "Runnals." These spellings reflect the evolution of the name over time and the influence of regional dialects.

One notable individual with the surname Runnalls was Sir John Runnalls, who lived in the late 15th century and served as the Sheriff of Derbyshire during the reign of King Henry VII. He is mentioned in several historical documents from that period.

Another early bearer of the name was William Runnalls, a landowner in the village of Bakewell, Derbyshire, in the 16th century. Records from the time indicate that he owned properties in the area and was a prominent figure in the local community.

In the 17th century, the name Runnalls appears in parish records from various parts of Derbyshire, suggesting that the family had spread across the county. One such record mentions a Thomas Runnalls, who was baptized in the village of Ashbourne in 1652.

During the 18th century, the Runnalls family continued to be present in Derbyshire, but some members also migrated to other parts of England and even to the American colonies. One notable individual from this period was John Runnalls (1720-1795), a successful merchant and landowner in the city of Derby.

In the 19th century, the name Runnalls remained concentrated in the Derbyshire region, but some members of the family also established themselves in other parts of England, such as London and the surrounding areas. One example is George Runnalls (1841-1919), who was a prominent businessman and philanthropist in the city of London.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Runnalls families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Runnalls 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. Cornwall leads with 141 Runnalls' recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.84x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 141 63.84x
Devon 34 8.37x
Kent 5 0.75x
Surrey 5 0.53x
Northumberland 4 1.38x
Channel Islands 3 5.19x
Hertfordshire 3 2.23x
Hampshire 2 0.50x
Middlesex 2 0.10x
Royal Navy 1 4.30x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Breward in Cornwall leads with 25 Runnalls' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5102.04x.

Place Total Index
St Breward 25 5102.04x
Plymouth St Andrew 23 73.53x
Warleggan 17 11333.33x
St Just In Penwith 16 372.96x
St Breock 15 1260.50x
Saltash 9 526.32x
Bodmin 8 219.18x
Madron Penzance 8 99.63x
Uffculme 8 661.16x
Phillack 7 245.61x
Veryan 7 813.95x
Week St Mary 6 1714.29x
Mitcham 5 83.19x
Berwick Upon Tweed 4 65.04x
Mawgan In Pyder 4 851.06x
Tonbridge 4 16.66x
Blisland 3 810.81x
St Michaelinthe Vale 3 145.63x
Watford 3 28.76x
Forrabury 2 1000.00x
Portsmouth 2 21.72x
Rame 2 350.88x
Redruth 2 32.00x
Roche 2 178.57x
Stoke Damerel 2 7.04x
Stratton 2 166.67x
Devonport 1 21.41x
Gorran 1 161.29x
Gwennap 1 23.98x
Kenwyn 1 17.30x
Lewisham 1 2.82x
Michaelstow 1 666.67x
Poundstock 1 285.71x
Royal Navy 1 5.03x
St George Hanover 1 3.93x
St Marylebone London 1 0.96x
St Teath 1 75.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 9
Jane 7
Annie 6
Catherine 4
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Frances 3
Amelia 2
Charlotte 2
Fanny 2
Grace 2
Maria 2
Melinda 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
Beatrice 1
Bessy 1
C. 1
Caroline 1
Charity 1
Clementina 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Eveline 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Hettie 1
Hilda 1
Ida 1
Jesse 1
Joanna 1
Kate 1
Lucy 1
M.J. 1
Marion 1
Menney 1
Philicia 1
Phillipa 1
Prudence 1
Rosina 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1
Susanah 1
Thirza 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
John 14
James 11
Richard 8
Henry 4
Joseph 4
Charles 3
George 3
Harry 3
Robert 3
Thomas 3
Nicholas 2
Richd. 2
Samuel 2
Silas 2
Stephen 2
Adolphus 1
Arthur 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Geo. 1
H. 1
Harold 1
Jacob 1
Jas. 1
Jas.C. 1
Rd.T. 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Runnalls surname: questions and answers

How common was the Runnalls surname in 1881?

In 1881, 196 people were recorded with the Runnalls surname. That placed it at #13,006 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Runnalls surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 196 in 2016. That gives Runnalls a modern rank of #19,848.

What does the Runnalls surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone who lived by a stream or river.

What does the Runnalls map show?

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