NameCensus.

UK surname

Rutley

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "rye clearing".

In the 1881 census there were 238 people recorded with the Rutley surname, ranking it #11,476 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 208, ranked #19,062, down from #11,476 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Cullompton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redcar and Cleveland, West Devon and Sunderland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rutley is 282 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 12.6%.

1881 census count

238

Ranked #11,476

Modern count

208

2016, ranked #19,062

Peak year

1891

282 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rutley had 238 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,476 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016, ranked #19,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 282 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Rutley surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rutley surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rutley 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 194 #10,662
1861 historical 191 #12,467
1881 historical 238 #11,476
1891 historical 282 #11,597
1901 historical 281 #12,167
1911 historical 281 #11,953
1997 modern 201 #17,564
1998 modern 207 #17,749
1999 modern 190 #18,797
2000 modern 184 #19,190
2001 modern 189 #18,590
2002 modern 191 #18,817
2003 modern 179 #19,416
2004 modern 175 #19,805
2005 modern 183 #19,194
2006 modern 183 #19,326
2007 modern 194 #18,855
2008 modern 196 #18,895
2009 modern 203 #18,840
2010 modern 199 #19,515
2011 modern 195 #19,610
2012 modern 196 #19,463
2013 modern 211 #18,872
2014 modern 209 #19,128
2015 modern 208 #19,085
2016 modern 208 #19,062

Geography

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Where Rutleys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Cullompton, Clifton and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Redcar and Cleveland, West Devon, Sunderland and Northumberland. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Cullompton Devon
4 Clifton Gloucestershire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Redcar and Cleveland 016 Redcar and Cleveland
2 West Devon 002 West Devon
3 Sunderland 005 Sunderland
4 Northumberland 028 Northumberland
5 Redcar and Cleveland 018 Redcar and Cleveland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rutley

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rutley

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Rutley, 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 Rutley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Rutley 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Rutley 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

Rutley is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rutley falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rutley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Rutley

The surname Rutley has its origins in England, tracing back to the late medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from a locational name, referring to a place in Yorkshire or Nottinghamshire called Rutley or Routley. These place names are thought to have originated from the Old English words "ruh" (rough or rugged) and "leah" (a woodland clearing or meadow), suggesting that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived near a rough or rugged clearing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Rutley surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1301, where a person named William de Routley is mentioned. The variations in spelling, such as Routley and Routeley, were common during that time due to inconsistencies in record-keeping and regional dialects.

In the 15th century, the Rutley surname appeared in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a certain John Routley was recorded as a tenant in 1459. This suggests that the Rutley family had established a presence in the Yorkshire region by that point.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the Rutley surname. One such person was William Rutley (1630-1694), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of Hawkeswell in Yorkshire. Another notable figure was Thomas Rutley (1742-1810), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War.

In the 19th century, a prominent member of the Rutley family was John Rutley (1819-1896), a British architect and surveyor who was responsible for the design and construction of several notable buildings in London, including the Royal College of Surgeons and the Savoy Theatre.

Another significant figure was Sir Reginald Rutley (1879-1964), a British diplomat and civil servant who served as the Governor of the Bahamas from 1935 to 1942. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in the development of the Bahamas and its transition towards greater self-governance.

While the Rutley surname may not be as widespread as some other English names, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the medieval period and has produced several notable individuals throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rutley families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rutley 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. Devon leads with 36 Rutleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.45x.

County Total Index
Devon 36 7.45x
Surrey 36 3.18x
Middlesex 31 1.34x
Kent 28 3.53x
Glamorgan 25 6.18x
Gloucestershire 21 4.61x
Yorkshire 18 0.78x
Hampshire 10 2.10x
Sussex 8 2.04x
Dorset 7 4.59x
Northumberland 6 1.74x
Somerset 6 1.61x
Hertfordshire 2 1.25x
Brecknockshire 1 2.15x
Durham 1 0.14x
Essex 1 0.22x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 2.98x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cullompton in Devon leads with 24 Rutleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1137.44x.

Place Total Index
Cullompton 24 1137.44x
Ystradyfodwg 19 53.58x
Clifton 11 47.78x
Newington 10 11.66x
Epsom 9 163.34x
Bradninch 8 588.24x
St Pancras London 8 4.28x
Deptford St Paul 7 11.46x
Great Ayton 7 496.45x
Bristol St Thomas 6 1153.85x
Godstone 6 295.57x
Newbiggin In Morpeth 6 545.45x
Lewisham 5 11.84x
Paddington London 5 5.86x
St Marylebone London 5 4.03x
Westerham 5 273.22x
Hurstpierpoint 4 183.49x
Portsea 4 4.29x
Thornaby 4 46.51x
Wraxall 4 563.38x
Bradford 3 5.39x
Coyty Lower 3 114.50x
Dewsbury 3 12.72x
Lambeth 3 1.48x
Lee 3 26.09x
Llanwonno 3 20.66x
Shoreditch London 3 2.98x
St Martin In Fields 3 21.58x
Westminster St 3 35.05x
Alverstoke 2 11.61x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 2 4.67x
Broad Clist 2 119.76x
Dover St Mary Virgin 2 26.08x
Hougham 2 42.46x
Merstham 2 277.78x
Motcombe 2 178.57x
Overton 2 175.44x
Shaftesbury Holy Trinity 2 253.16x
Shaftesbury St Peter 2 281.69x
Abbots Leigh 1 344.83x
Battersea 1 1.17x
Bengeo 1 53.76x
Bermondsey 1 1.45x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.69x
Brecknock St John 1 25.58x
Brighton 1 1.27x
Camberwell 1 0.67x
Castleton 1 1666.67x
Chalk 1 370.37x
Fareham 1 17.48x
Farnborough 1 20.00x
Fulham London 1 2.97x
Grays Thurrock 1 23.47x
Hammersmith London 1 1.75x
Hampton Wick London 1 58.82x
Hastings St Leonards 1 17.39x
Hastings St Mary 1 10.27x
Horfield 1 21.83x
Margate St John Baptist 1 6.90x
Paignton 1 27.17x
Penge 1 6.74x
Salehurst 1 58.82x
Sculcoates 1 2.74x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 2.14x
St Anne Soho London 1 7.54x
Sundridge 1 75.76x
Urr 1 22.88x
Wandsworth 1 4.47x
Ware 1 21.79x
Westbury On Trym 1 6.48x
Winford 1 133.33x
Wrotham 1 38.17x
Yealmpton 1 135.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 11
Mary 10
Emma 6
Louisa 5
Sarah 5
Ann 4
Emily 4
Maria 4
Alice 3
Caroline 3
Fanny 3
Harriet 3
Harriett 3
Amelia 2
Annie 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Dulce 2
Edith 2
Ellen 2
Emmiline 2
Hannah 2
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Maude 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Blanch 1
Dora 1
E.M.A. 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Elvia 1
Esther 1
Ethelreda 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Helen 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
Laiona 1
Laura 1
Littie 1
Louiza 1
Lusia 1
Lydia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 9
James 9
Thomas 8
William 8
John 7
Charles 5
Henry 5
Robert 5
Samuel 5
Edward 3
Francis 3
Aaron 2
Albert 2
Alfred 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Moses 2
Sydney 2
Alex 1
Arthur 1
Augustus 1
Benjamin 1
Bernard 1
David 1
Dermott 1
Edwin 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harold 1
Horace 1
Jacob 1
Jas.F. 1
Nicholas 1
Oswald 1
Philip 1
Robt. 1
Talbot 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1
Yacchacus 1

FAQ

Rutley surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rutley surname in 1881?

In 1881, 238 people were recorded with the Rutley surname. That placed it at #11,476 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rutley surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 208 in 2016. That gives Rutley a modern rank of #19,062.

What does the Rutley surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from a place name meaning "rye clearing".

What does the Rutley map show?

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