NameCensus.

UK surname

Ryall

An English habitational surname derived from someone residing near a rowdy stream.

In the 1881 census there were 1,012 people recorded with the Ryall surname, ranking it #3,870 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,384, ranked #4,371, down from #3,870 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Stalbridge and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, Newport and North Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ryall is 1,521 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 36.8%.

1881 census count

1,012

Ranked #3,870

Modern count

1,384

2016, ranked #4,371

Peak year

1999

1,521 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ryall had 1,012 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,870 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,384 in 2016, ranked #4,371.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,497 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ryall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ryall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ryall 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 689 #3,778
1861 historical 645 #4,162
1881 historical 1,012 #3,870
1891 historical 1,188 #3,611
1901 historical 1,305 #3,826
1911 historical 1,497 #3,223
1997 modern 1,492 #3,926
1998 modern 1,518 #4,007
1999 modern 1,521 #4,032
2000 modern 1,518 #4,019
2001 modern 1,475 #4,046
2002 modern 1,516 #4,033
2003 modern 1,470 #4,066
2004 modern 1,489 #4,031
2005 modern 1,437 #4,106
2006 modern 1,412 #4,167
2007 modern 1,413 #4,199
2008 modern 1,395 #4,272
2009 modern 1,419 #4,285
2010 modern 1,426 #4,344
2011 modern 1,393 #4,377
2012 modern 1,396 #4,316
2013 modern 1,398 #4,376
2014 modern 1,407 #4,375
2015 modern 1,390 #4,377
2016 modern 1,384 #4,371

Geography

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Where Ryalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Stalbridge, London parishes and Newchurch. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, Newport, North Dorset, Swansea and Sheffield. 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 Stalbridge Dorset
3 London parishes London 1
4 Newchurch Hampshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 020 Caerphilly
2 Newport 004 Newport
3 North Dorset 005 North Dorset
4 Swansea 001 Swansea
5 Sheffield 060 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ryall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ryall

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Ryall is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ryall is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ryall falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ryall

The surname Ryall has its origins in England, tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ryge," meaning a ridge or hill, suggesting that the name was initially used to identify someone who lived near a prominent ridge or hilltop.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various medieval records, such as the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Rigel" and "Rigele." These early spellings highlight the evolution of the name over time, as pronunciation and orthography evolved.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Rygel," "Rygale," and "Ryghale." Historical records from this period indicate that the Ryall family was predominantly concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire.

One notable figure bearing the Ryall surname was Sir John Ryall, a prominent English landowner and politician who lived in the 15th century (c. 1420-1495). He served as a member of Parliament for Herefordshire and played a significant role in local affairs.

Another individual of note was William Ryall (c. 1570-1632), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the rector of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Ryall's tenure coincided with Shakespeare's later years, and it is believed that they may have known each other.

In the 17th century, the Ryall family spread to other parts of England, with some members establishing themselves in London and the surrounding areas. One such person was Thomas Ryall (c. 1635-1705), a successful merchant and landowner who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1693.

During the 18th century, the Ryall surname began to appear in various place names, such as Ryall's Court in Gloucestershire and Ryall's Green in Herefordshire. These place names serve as a testament to the family's long-standing presence and influence in these regions.

Another notable figure was John Ryall (c. 1760-1825), a British naval officer who distinguished himself during the Napoleonic Wars. He rose through the ranks to become a captain and was awarded several honors for his bravery and service.

As the centuries passed, the Ryall surname continued to spread across England and beyond, with individuals bearing this name making contributions in various fields, including the arts, sciences, and politics. The enduring legacy of this surname serves as a testament to its rich history and significance within English heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ryall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ryall 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. Middlesex leads with 164 Ryalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.66x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 164 1.66x
Dorset 125 19.29x
Surrey 107 2.22x
Somerset 105 6.61x
Devon 76 3.70x
Wiltshire 53 6.07x
Hampshire 47 2.32x
Cornwall 43 3.85x
Yorkshire 34 0.35x
Gloucestershire 31 1.60x
Worcestershire 28 2.17x
Lancashire 27 0.23x
Herefordshire 26 6.42x
Kent 26 0.77x
Essex 17 0.87x
Sussex 17 1.02x
Warwickshire 14 0.56x
Glamorgan 11 0.64x
Lincolnshire 10 0.63x
Berkshire 8 1.08x
Suffolk 8 0.67x
Staffordshire 7 0.21x
Buckinghamshire 5 0.84x
Northamptonshire 5 0.54x
Durham 4 0.14x
Oxfordshire 3 0.49x
Derbyshire 2 0.13x
Lanarkshire 2 0.06x
Channel Islands 1 0.34x
Cheshire 1 0.05x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.46x
Hertfordshire 1 0.15x
Monmouthshire 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 0.85x
Shropshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Climsland in Cornwall leads with 29 Ryalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 406.16x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Climsland 29 406.16x
Mile End Old Town 23 14.76x
Warminster 21 109.78x
Stalbridge 20 324.68x
Battersea 19 5.23x
Henstridge 18 410.02x
Stoke Damerel 18 12.52x
Ross 17 105.59x
Kensington London 16 2.92x
Melcombe Regis 16 59.59x
Carisbrooke 15 53.40x
Frome 15 39.46x
St Marylebone London 14 2.66x
Camberwell 13 2.06x
Bermondsey 12 4.08x
Fulham London 12 8.38x
Richmond 12 17.80x
Buckland Newton 11 379.31x
Islington London 11 1.15x
Mere 11 110.89x
Newington 11 3.02x
Roath 11 14.09x
St Pancras London 11 1.38x
Heaton 10 95.15x
Wheatley 10 296.74x
Banwell 9 155.17x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 9 4.94x
Colchester St Peter 9 115.38x
Montacute 9 309.28x
Plymouth St Andrew 9 5.69x
Althorpe 8 222.84x
Antony 8 74.14x
Breane 8 1600.00x
Chaldon Herring 8 707.96x
Clist Honiton 8 784.31x
Croydon 8 3.00x
East Stonehouse 8 19.76x
Lambeth 8 0.93x
Northleach 8 279.72x
St George Hanover 8 6.21x
Walcot 8 9.45x
West Ham 8 1.86x
Weymouth 8 65.20x
Axminster 7 72.69x
Deptford St Paul 7 2.69x
Everton 7 1.87x
Friern Barnet 7 32.18x
Marnhull 7 148.31x
Pendleton In Salford 7 5.02x
Plymouth Charles The 7 7.73x
Portsea 7 1.77x
Southwark Christchurch 7 15.13x
St Giles In Fields 7 20.56x
Thornford 7 500.00x
Wootton 7 2000.00x
Areley Kings 6 262.01x
Aston 6 0.88x
Burton Upon Trent 6 7.70x
Chippenham 6 32.77x
Corton Denham 6 521.74x
Horsted Keynes 6 154.64x
Kings Norton 6 5.19x
Orpington 6 58.20x
Ryde 6 13.80x
Shaw Cum Donnington 6 252.10x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 3.02x
St Andrew Holborn 6 17.93x
Sutton Waldron 6 923.08x
Willesden 6 6.45x
Devizes St Mary 5 56.69x
Kilmington 5 306.75x
Milton In Gravesend 5 9.90x
Paddington London 5 1.38x
Parkstone 5 66.14x
St Anne Soho London 5 8.87x
Stoke Prior 5 270.27x
Tavistock 5 21.36x
Toxteth Park 5 1.26x
Westminster St James 5 4.93x
Yetminster 5 207.47x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 69
John 50
Thomas 29
George 28
Charles 25
Henry 21
Edward 16
James 16
Albert 15
Alfred 15
Frederick 14
Frank 11
Samuel 11
Arthur 8
Christopher 8
Ernest 8
Joseph 8
Harry 7
Richard 7
Robert 7
Walter 7
Edwin 6
Francis 6
Oliver 6
Herbert 5
Benjamin 4
David 4
Fred 3
Job 3
Percy 3
Sidney 3
Archibald 2
Ebenezer 2
Edwd. 2
Fredrick 2
Mark 2
Maurice 2
Moses 2
Sydney 2
Tom 2
Uriah 2
Wm. 2
B.W. 1
Ben 1
Benjaman 1
Edgar 1
Enoch 1
Horace 1
Hugh 1
Hy. 1

FAQ

Ryall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ryall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,012 people were recorded with the Ryall surname. That placed it at #3,870 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ryall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,384 in 2016. That gives Ryall a modern rank of #4,371.

What does the Ryall surname mean?

An English habitational surname derived from someone residing near a rowdy stream.

What does the Ryall map show?

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