NameCensus.

UK surname

Rynn

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Rinn meaning "descendant of Rinn".

In the 1881 census there were 42 people recorded with the Rynn surname, ranking it #27,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 183, ranked #20,813, up from #27,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Bury and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Great Yarmouth, Adur and Wigan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rynn is 197 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 335.7%.

1881 census count

42

Ranked #27,721

Modern count

183

2016, ranked #20,813

Peak year

2010

197 bearers

Map years

5

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rynn had 42 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016, ranked #20,813.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 117 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Rynn surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rynn surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rynn 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 42 #25,706
1861 historical 116 #18,751
1881 historical 42 #27,721
1891 historical 117 #21,658
1901 historical 83 #24,900
1911 historical 74 #25,423
1997 modern 191 #18,150
1998 modern 196 #18,342
1999 modern 189 #18,862
2000 modern 192 #18,683
2001 modern 184 #18,907
2002 modern 188 #19,012
2003 modern 179 #19,416
2004 modern 180 #19,424
2005 modern 184 #19,117
2006 modern 189 #18,961
2007 modern 189 #19,146
2008 modern 185 #19,589
2009 modern 195 #19,329
2010 modern 197 #19,640
2011 modern 189 #19,997
2012 modern 183 #20,356
2013 modern 191 #20,124
2014 modern 184 #20,809
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 183 #20,813

Geography

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Where Rynns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Bury, Govan Combination, Wigan and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Great Yarmouth, Adur, Wigan, Redcar and Cleveland and Milton Keynes. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Bury Lancashire
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Wigan Lancashire
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Great Yarmouth 011 Great Yarmouth
2 Adur 006 Adur
3 Wigan 006 Wigan
4 Redcar and Cleveland 001 Redcar and Cleveland
5 Milton Keynes 020 Milton Keynes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rynn

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rynn

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Rynn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Rynn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Rynn 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

Rynn is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Rynn 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 Rynn 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Rynn

The surname RYNN has its origins in England and can be traced back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ryne," which means a brook or a stream. This suggests that the name may have originated from a geographic feature, likely a small settlement near a stream or river.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname RYNN appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holdings commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Rynulf, which is believed to be an early variation of the surname.

In the 13th century, records show a Thomas Rynn who was a prominent landowner in Oxfordshire. His family's holdings were centered around the village of Rynn, which may have been named after the family or vice versa. This village is now known as Ryn, and the name has evolved over time due to the influence of local dialects and spelling variations.

One notable bearer of the surname was Sir John Rynn, a knight who lived in the late 14th century. He was known for his military prowess and served under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War against France. Records from that time period also mention a William Rynn, who was a merchant and alderman in the city of London.

In the 16th century, a family of Rynns resided in the county of Lincolnshire. Among them was Robert Rynn (1520-1588), a skilled architect who contributed to the design and construction of several churches and manor houses in the region. His son, Thomas Rynn (1553-1621), followed in his footsteps and became a renowned stonemason.

Another notable figure was Margaret Rynn (1670-1745), a philanthropist and landowner from Yorkshire. She inherited a substantial fortune and used her wealth to establish several charitable foundations and endowments for the education of underprivileged children in her hometown.

While the surname RYNN is not among the most common in England, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, including landowners, military personnel, merchants, artisans, and philanthropists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rynn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rynn 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. Lancashire leads with 24 Rynns recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.94x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 24 4.94x
Lanarkshire 7 5.28x
Midlothian 7 12.76x
Middlesex 2 0.49x
Durham 1 0.82x
Yorkshire 1 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wigan in Lancashire leads with 13 Rynns recorded in 1881 and an index of 191.46x.

Place Total Index
Wigan 13 191.46x
Edinburgh Greenside 7 972.22x
Govan 6 18.32x
Bury 4 72.07x
Elton 4 238.10x
Eccleston In Prescot 2 81.97x
Barony 1 2.98x
Barrow In Furness 1 15.13x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 303.03x
Shoreditch London 1 5.63x
St George Bloomsbury 1 42.55x
Trimdon 1 232.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ellen 2
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Margaret 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
Thomas 3
James 2
Joseph 2
Michael 2
Alexander 1
G.F. 1
Martin 1
Patrick 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 Rynn households.

FAQ

Rynn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rynn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 42 people were recorded with the Rynn surname. That placed it at #27,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rynn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016. That gives Rynn a modern rank of #20,813.

What does the Rynn surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Rinn meaning "descendant of Rinn".

What does the Rynn map show?

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