NameCensus.

UK surname

Torode

A surname derived from the Old French word "tort" meaning twisted or crooked, possibly referring to someone with a physical deformity or living on a crooked street.

In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Torode surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 305, ranked #14,576, up from #27,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Toxteth Park and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Arun, Herefordshire and Richmondshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Torode is 305 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 548.9%.

1881 census count

47

Ranked #27,019

Modern count

305

2016, ranked #14,576

Peak year

2016

305 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Torode had 47 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 305 in 2016, ranked #14,576.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 132 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Torode surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Torode surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Torode 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 12 #31,134
1861 historical 20 #31,364
1881 historical 47 #27,019
1891 historical 60 #29,204
1901 historical 76 #25,734
1911 historical 132 #19,313
1997 modern 251 #15,236
1998 modern 264 #15,119
1999 modern 263 #15,267
2000 modern 264 #15,191
2001 modern 261 #15,066
2002 modern 268 #15,081
2003 modern 269 #14,855
2004 modern 267 #15,038
2005 modern 265 #15,048
2006 modern 273 #14,804
2007 modern 271 #15,042
2008 modern 280 #14,823
2009 modern 287 #14,877
2010 modern 300 #14,730
2011 modern 300 #14,591
2012 modern 289 #14,875
2013 modern 295 #14,918
2014 modern 294 #15,047
2015 modern 300 #14,758
2016 modern 305 #14,576

Geography

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Where Torodes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Toxteth Park, St Pancras and Tottenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Arun, Herefordshire and Richmondshire. 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 London parishes London 3
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Tottenham Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Arun 002 Arun
2 Herefordshire 003 Herefordshire, County of
3 Arun 009 Arun
4 Richmondshire 006 Richmondshire
5 Arun 011 Arun

Forenames

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First names often paired with Torode

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Torode

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Torode surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Torode household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Torode is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Torode 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

Torode 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 Torode 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 Torode, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Torode

The surname Torode is believed to have originated in the Channel Islands, specifically on the island of Guernsey, during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "Þōrir," meaning "Thor's rod" or "Thor's spear," referring to the god Thor from Norse mythology.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Torode appears in the Extente des Isles, a historical document compiled in 1331 that records the landowners and properties in the Channel Islands during that time. This document mentions a "Willm Torode" as a landowner on the island of Guernsey.

In the 16th century, the name Torode was also found in records from the nearby island of Jersey. A document from 1528 mentions a "Collyn Torode" as a resident of St. Ouen's parish on Jersey.

Throughout the centuries, the name has been spelled in various ways, including Torode, Toroud, Toroud, and Touroud. These variations likely arose due to the influence of different languages and dialects in the Channel Islands, as well as the evolution of spelling conventions over time.

One notable individual with the surname Torode was Samuel Torode (1756-1841), a prominent merchant and shipowner from Guernsey. He played a significant role in the island's trade and commerce during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Another notable figure was John Torode (1805-1859), a Guernsey-born poet and writer who published several collections of poetry and prose works in the 19th century.

In the 20th century, the name gained recognition through the acclaimed chef and television personality, John Torode (born 1965), who has appeared on various cooking shows and written several cookbooks.

Other notable individuals with the surname Torode include:

1. James Torode (1761-1824), a Guernsey-born merchant and shipowner who lived in London. 2. Thomas Torode (1818-1894), a Guernsey-born clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Guernsey. 3. William Torode (1886-1962), a Guernsey-born engineer and inventor who developed early refrigeration systems. 4. Marguerite Torode (1891-1974), a Guernsey-born artist known for her landscape paintings and portraiture. 5. Philip Torode (born 1951), a Guernsey-born businessman and former president of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce.

While the surname Torode is relatively uncommon outside of the Channel Islands, it has a rich history and connections to the islands' culture, traditions, and notable figures throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Torode families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Torode 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. Channel Islands leads with 336 Torodes recorded in 1881 and an index of 303.52x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 336 303.52x
Middlesex 25 0.67x
Surrey 10 0.55x
Essex 7 0.95x
Lancashire 3 0.07x
Kent 2 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Peter Port in Channel Islands leads with 92 Torodes recorded in 1881 and an index of 449.22x.

Place Total Index
St Peter Port 92 449.22x
St Saviour 73 1192.81x
St Maryde Castro 41 1507.35x
St Martin 38 560.47x
St Michaelinthe Vale 38 962.03x
St Sampson 29 581.16x
Islington London 17 4.69x
St Andrew 13 890.41x
Forest 10 1298.70x
Walthamstow 7 26.38x
Camberwell 6 2.51x
St Pancras London 5 1.66x
Streatham 4 14.43x
Liverpool 2 0.74x
Westminster St 2 14.52x
Woolwich 2 4.25x
Feltham 1 26.81x
Lathom 1 18.69x
St Lawrence 1 33.11x
St Peterinthe Wood 1 66.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 33
Rachel 15
Elizabeth 13
Alice 11
Julia 7
Ellen 6
Judith 6
Ada 5
Betsey 5
Emily 5
Harriet 5
Jane 5
Margaret 5
Sophia 5
Amy 3
Caroline 3
Charlotte 3
Eliza 3
Emma 3
Louisa 3
Marguerite 3
Susan 3
Betsy 2
Edith 2
Grace 2
Henrietta 2
Lizzie 2
Louise 2
Lucy 2
Margueritte 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Patty 2
Adeline 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Blanche 1
Clara 1
Elise 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.M. 1
Ella 1
Florence 1
Georgenia 1
Georgianna 1
Julie 1
Lina 1
Mabel 1
Matilda 1
Winter 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 33
William 16
Nicholas 13
James 11
Thomas 10
Abraham 9
George 9
Daniel 8
Frederick 8
Charles 6
Alfred 5
Henry 5
Joseph 4
Nicolas 4
Peter 3
Adolphus 2
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Frederic 2
Walter 2
Alphonse 1
Edmund 1
Elias 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Hariet 1
Harry 1
Lester 1
Nico 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
W. 1
W.J. 1
W.J.H. 1
Will.J. 1
Wlm.Jno. 1

FAQ

Torode surname: questions and answers

How common was the Torode surname in 1881?

In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Torode surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Torode surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 305 in 2016. That gives Torode a modern rank of #14,576.

What does the Torode surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "tort" meaning twisted or crooked, possibly referring to someone with a physical deformity or living on a crooked street.

What does the Torode map show?

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