Find out how popular the last name Rathbone is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Rathbone.

Rathbone, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Rathbone surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rathbone in America

Rathbone is the 13771st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rathbone surname appeared 2,197 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Rathbone.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rathbone to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Rathbone

The surname RATHBONE is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is a locational name, derived from the town of Ratburnholme in Westmorland, now known as Cumbria. The name is believed to have evolved from the Old English words "rata" meaning "ram" and "burna" meaning "stream," suggesting a connection to a stream frequented by rams.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332, where it appears as Rathbondesone. This spelling variation highlights the transition from a descriptive phrase to a more consolidated surname.

The RATHBONE name has been present in various historical records throughout the centuries. In the Hearth Tax Rolls of Cheshire in 1674, several families bearing the name were listed, indicating their presence in the region.

Notable individuals bearing the RATHBONE surname include:

1. John RATHBONE (1554-1626), an English merchant and one of the founders of the Rathbone Brothers, a prominent trading company based in Liverpool.

2. William RATHBONE VI (1819-1902), a British industrialist, philanthropist, and social reformer, known for his efforts in improving working conditions and education for the underprivileged.

3. Basil RATHBONE (1892-1967), a renowned English actor best remembered for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in numerous films and radio plays.

4. Eleanor RATHBONE (1872-1946), a British politician and social reformer, who campaigned for women's rights and family allowances, and was one of the first women to be elected to the British Parliament.

5. Woodbine PARISH RATHBONE (1856-1939), an English artist and illustrator, known for his intricate drawings and etchings depicting scenes from Shakespeare's plays.

The RATHBONE name has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Rathbone Place in London, and Rathbone Road in Withington, Manchester, further cementing its historical and geographical connections.

While the RATHBONE surname may have evolved over time, its origins remain deeply rooted in the English countryside, reflecting the rich tapestry of language, geography, and personal histories that have shaped many family names throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rathbone

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Rathbone.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rathbone was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Rathbone has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Rathbone was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rathbone, please contact us.

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