NameCensus.

UK surname

Ruse

A surname denoting someone crafty or deceitful.

In the 1881 census there were 589 people recorded with the Ruse surname, ranking it #5,928 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 562, ranked #9,130, down from #5,928 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Newmarket All Saints and Kedington, Sturmer. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Babergh, Cornwall and Chelmsford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ruse is 699 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.6%.

1881 census count

589

Ranked #5,928

Modern count

562

2016, ranked #9,130

Peak year

1911

699 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ruse had 589 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,928 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 562 in 2016, ranked #9,130.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 699 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ruse surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ruse surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ruse 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 413 #5,872
1861 historical 363 #7,045
1881 historical 589 #5,928
1891 historical 634 #6,101
1901 historical 673 #6,475
1911 historical 699 #6,088
1997 modern 553 #8,617
1998 modern 560 #8,793
1999 modern 535 #9,175
2000 modern 539 #9,094
2001 modern 508 #9,344
2002 modern 526 #9,300
2003 modern 518 #9,257
2004 modern 521 #9,235
2005 modern 511 #9,297
2006 modern 510 #9,342
2007 modern 515 #9,357
2008 modern 508 #9,521
2009 modern 532 #9,402
2010 modern 551 #9,354
2011 modern 549 #9,281
2012 modern 541 #9,294
2013 modern 556 #9,249
2014 modern 563 #9,217
2015 modern 563 #9,130
2016 modern 562 #9,130

Geography

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Where Ruses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Newmarket All Saints, Kedington, Sturmer, Radwinter and Petherwin, South. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Babergh, Cornwall, Chelmsford, West Berkshire and Elmbridge. 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 Newmarket All Saints Cambridgeshire
3 Kedington, Sturmer Suffolk
4 Radwinter Essex
5 Petherwin, South Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Babergh 003 Babergh
2 Cornwall 026 Cornwall
3 Chelmsford 016 Chelmsford
4 West Berkshire 002 West Berkshire
5 Elmbridge 014 Elmbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ruse

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ruse

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Ruse is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ruse is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ruse falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ruse

The surname Ruse has its origins in the English language, specifically stemming from the Middle English word "ruse," which means "trick" or "stratagem." This name is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century.

Historically, the surname Ruse was likely assigned as a descriptive name, referring to someone who was known for their cunning or clever tactics. It may have been bestowed upon individuals who were skilled at employing ruses or tricks in various situations, such as warfare, trade, or even everyday life.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ruse can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, England, dated 1327. In this document, a certain Richard le Ruse is mentioned, suggesting that the name had already been in use by that time.

Interestingly, the surname Ruse shares similarities with the French word "ruse," which has the same meaning. This could indicate a possible connection or influence between the English and French languages during the period when surnames were becoming more widespread.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Ruse. One such person was Sir John Ruse (1535-1611), an English politician and member of Parliament who served during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. Another prominent figure was William Ruse (1628-1680), an English Puritan minister and author who wrote extensively on religious matters.

In the realm of literature, Thomas Ruse (1744-1811) was a notable English poet and writer who gained recognition for his poetic works, including "The Pleasures of Contemplation" and "The Pleasures of Memory."

Moving to the 19th century, George Ruse (1815-1892) was a prominent British architect and civil engineer who designed several notable buildings, including the Royal Holloway College in Egham, Surrey.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the contributions of Sir Arthur Ruse (1862-1936), a British military officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Jamaica from 1922 to 1928.

While the surname Ruse may not be among the most common in modern times, its historical roots and associations with individuals from various walks of life showcase its enduring legacy and the diverse backgrounds of those who have carried this name over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ruse families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ruse 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 123 Ruses recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.59x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 123 18.59x
Devon 68 5.59x
Middlesex 62 1.06x
Cambridgeshire 61 16.48x
Essex 61 5.29x
Suffolk 61 8.57x
Surrey 27 0.95x
Yorkshire 17 0.29x
Channel Islands 15 8.66x
Lancashire 12 0.17x
Norfolk 11 1.22x
Brecknockshire 9 7.70x
Glamorgan 9 0.88x
Kent 8 0.40x
Berkshire 7 1.60x
Sussex 7 0.71x
Leicestershire 6 0.93x
Hertfordshire 5 1.24x
Derbyshire 4 0.44x
Shropshire 4 0.79x
Warwickshire 4 0.27x
Worcestershire 4 0.52x
Gloucestershire 3 0.26x
Royal Navy 3 4.31x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.57x
Durham 1 0.06x
Hampshire 1 0.08x
Northumberland 1 0.12x
Roxburghshire 1 0.94x
Somerset 1 0.11x
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. Radwinter in Essex leads with 31 Ruses recorded in 1881 and an index of 1834.32x.

Place Total Index
Radwinter 31 1834.32x
Newmarket All Sts 26 952.38x
Plymouth St Andrew 26 27.75x
South Petherwin 19 1151.52x
Kedington 16 851.06x
St Peter Port 15 46.83x
Bromley London 14 10.89x
Sturmere 14 1866.67x
Islington London 13 2.30x
Kenwyn 12 69.36x
Plymstock 12 188.38x
St Mary Magdalene 12 246.91x
Helion Bumpstead 11 709.68x
Linton 11 312.50x
Plymouth Charles The 10 18.66x
Bermondsey 9 5.17x
Crostwick 9 2727.27x
Lower Ystradgynlais 9 124.83x
Wingfield 9 967.74x
Callington 8 207.79x
St Teath 8 201.01x
St Thomas Apostle 8 392.16x
Camberwell 7 1.88x
Linthorpe 7 20.26x
Manchester 7 2.25x
St John Near Swansea 7 55.64x
St Marylebone London 7 2.24x
St Mellion 7 1129.03x
Stoke Damerel 7 8.22x
Castle Camps 6 337.08x
Falmouth 6 25.62x
Pillaton 6 882.35x
Reading St Mary 6 17.08x
St Andrewthe Less 6 14.19x
St Ewe 6 300.00x
St Germans 6 130.15x
West Wratting 6 508.47x
Canewdon 5 347.22x
Chesterton 5 43.82x
Hammersmith London 5 3.47x
Hollington 5 142.45x
Lambeth 5 0.98x
Paddington London 5 2.33x
St Dominick 5 301.20x
Tonbridge 5 6.95x
Alvaston 4 153.26x
Birmingham 4 0.81x
Croft 4 347.83x
Denham 4 449.44x
Ecclesfield 4 9.42x
Hundon 4 225.99x
Kidderminster Borough 4 8.96x
Little Cornard 4 519.48x
Sawbridgeworth 4 65.57x
St Clement 4 57.97x
Stoke Climsland 4 94.79x
Tavistock 4 28.88x
Tormoham 4 7.77x
Ashdon 3 178.57x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 2.78x
Limehouse London 3 4.68x
Little Wratting 3 566.04x
Mile End Old Town 3 3.25x
Royal Navy 3 5.04x
St Pancras London 3 0.64x
Tooting Graveney 3 37.88x
Armley 2 7.83x
Barkestone 2 333.33x
Batley 2 3.63x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 2 34.97x
Brighton 2 1.01x
Halliwell 2 7.93x
Long Melford 2 30.26x
Rame 2 117.65x
Roche 2 59.52x
Shoreditch London 2 0.79x
St Columb Major 2 36.43x
Stanwell 2 46.30x
Sudbury St Peter 2 51.28x
Truro St Mary 2 35.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 40
Elizabeth 23
Sarah 17
Emma 15
Jane 15
Eliza 14
Alice 9
Ellen 8
Martha 8
Ann 7
Annie 7
Clara 7
Charlotte 6
Florence 6
Louisa 6
Margaret 6
Caroline 5
Emily 5
Susan 5
Harriet 4
Harriett 4
Isabella 4
Matilda 4
Bessie 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Fanny 3
Hannah 3
Jessie 3
Rosa 3
Ruth 3
Ada 2
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Beatrice 2
Grace 2
Maria 2
Bertha 1
Emila 1
Erne 1
Eva 1
Hester 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
Katie 1
Laura 1
Levinia 1
Winefred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 41
John 34
Charles 25
George 22
James 15
Alfred 11
Richard 11
Thomas 10
Frederick 9
Henry 8
Robert 8
Albert 6
Edward 6
Ernest 6
Harry 6
Samuel 6
Arthur 5
Joseph 5
Benjamin 3
David 3
Frank 3
Frederic 3
Ambrose 2
Augustus 2
Douglas 2
Earnest 2
Rutland 2
Theophilus 2
Walter 2
Willm. 2
Chals. 1
Collinwood 1
Dan 1
Fred. 1
Fredk. 1
Fredr. 1
Gerald 1
Gus 1
Gustave 1
Jack 1
Jasper 1
Joshu 1
Joshua 1
Mark 1
Noah 1
Octavius 1
Percival 1
Perry 1
Reginald 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Ruse surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ruse surname in 1881?

In 1881, 589 people were recorded with the Ruse surname. That placed it at #5,928 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ruse surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 562 in 2016. That gives Ruse a modern rank of #9,130.

What does the Ruse surname mean?

A surname denoting someone crafty or deceitful.

What does the Ruse map show?

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