NameCensus.

UK surname

Acock

Derived from a medieval nickname for a foolish or silly person, from Middle English "acock," meaning "a cock."

In the 1881 census there were 243 people recorded with the Acock surname, ranking it #11,294 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 204, ranked #19,320, down from #11,294 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Northleach, London parishes and Idbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cotswold, West Oxfordshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Acock is 286 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 16.0%.

1881 census count

243

Ranked #11,294

Modern count

204

2016, ranked #19,320

Peak year

1911

286 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Acock had 243 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,294 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016, ranked #19,320.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 286 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Acock surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Acock surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Acock 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 159 #12,400
1861 historical 186 #12,751
1881 historical 243 #11,294
1891 historical 266 #12,169
1901 historical 283 #12,117
1911 historical 286 #11,810
1997 modern 217 #16,761
1998 modern 240 #16,117
1999 modern 240 #16,226
2000 modern 245 #15,955
2001 modern 229 #16,467
2002 modern 236 #16,455
2003 modern 232 #16,447
2004 modern 225 #16,882
2005 modern 215 #17,334
2006 modern 214 #17,507
2007 modern 210 #17,904
2008 modern 210 #18,052
2009 modern 214 #18,220
2010 modern 210 #18,836
2011 modern 202 #19,154
2012 modern 196 #19,463
2013 modern 205 #19,218
2014 modern 202 #19,575
2015 modern 194 #19,994
2016 modern 204 #19,320

Geography

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Where Acocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Northleach, London parishes, Idbury, Cheltenham and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cotswold, West Oxfordshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bromley and Stroud. 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 Northleach Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Idbury Oxfordshire
4 Cheltenham Gloucestershire
5 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cotswold 003 Cotswold
2 West Oxfordshire 001 West Oxfordshire
3 Rhondda Cynon Taf 015 Rhondda Cynon Taf
4 Bromley 019 Bromley
5 Stroud 004 Stroud

Forenames

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First names often paired with Acock

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Acock

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

Acock is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Acock falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Acock

The surname Acock is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "acock," which referred to a male gamecock or rooster. The name may have been initially used as a nickname for someone who exhibited cocky or boastful behavior, akin to a strutting rooster.

The earliest known record of the Acock surname can be traced back to the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, where it was spelled as "Acocke." This suggests that the name was already in use during the medieval period, though its precise origin remains uncertain.

In the 14th century, the Acock surname appeared in various records across England, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where it was listed as "Acok." This variation in spelling was common during that era, as standardized spellings were not yet established.

One notable historical figure bearing the Acock surname was John Acock (c. 1480-1551), an English Protestant reformer and writer. He played a significant role in the English Reformation and served as a royal chaplain to King Henry VIII.

Another individual of note was Thomas Acock (fl. 1590-1620), an English composer and lutenist during the late Renaissance period. He was known for his contributions to the lute song repertoire and was associated with the English court.

In the 17th century, the Acock surname appeared in various parish records, such as the baptismal record of Elizabeth Acock in St. Giles Cripplegate, London, in 1607.

A prominent figure from the 18th century was Thomas Acock (1717-1794), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. He achieved the rank of Rear Admiral and was commended for his bravery and leadership.

During the 19th century, the Acock surname was found in various parts of England, including Norfolk, where the village of Acock's Green was named after a local landowner with the surname Acock.

While the Acock surname may not be as widespread as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval times, with various notable individuals bearing this name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Acock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Acock 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. Surrey leads with 50 Acocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.42x.

County Total Index
Surrey 50 4.42x
Gloucestershire 46 10.10x
Kent 39 4.92x
Oxfordshire 27 18.83x
Middlesex 15 0.65x
Staffordshire 9 1.15x
Warwickshire 9 1.54x
Essex 5 1.09x
Hampshire 5 1.05x
Norfolk 5 1.40x
Shropshire 5 2.49x
Berkshire 4 2.30x
Lincolnshire 4 1.08x
Devon 3 0.62x
Yorkshire 3 0.13x
Cheshire 2 0.39x
Northamptonshire 2 0.92x
Worcestershire 2 0.66x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.68x
Hertfordshire 1 0.62x
Lancashire 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ramsgate in Kent leads with 27 Acocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 208.82x.

Place Total Index
Ramsgate 27 208.82x
Cheltenham 23 65.47x
Croydon 17 27.07x
Idbury 12 8000.00x
Lewisham 11 26.04x
Camberwell 10 6.74x
Newington 8 9.33x
Northleach 8 1194.03x
Stratford On Avon 8 246.15x
Sutton 7 85.57x
West Bromwich 7 15.60x
Aston Blank 6 2500.00x
Bow London 6 20.30x
Lambeth 6 2.96x
Taynton 6 2307.69x
Heigham 5 26.10x
Wem 5 167.79x
West Ham 5 4.94x
Westminster St John 5 17.69x
Eaton Hastings 4 3636.36x
Newton Upon Trent 4 1600.00x
Adlestrop 3 2307.69x
Ashburton 3 129.87x
Shipley 3 25.13x
Ventnor 3 66.23x
Bishops Cleeve 2 173.91x
Bristol St Augustine 2 27.21x
Fritwell 2 444.44x
Liscard 2 21.67x
Northampton Priory St 2 15.27x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 2 117.65x
Alverstoke 1 5.81x
Berkhampstead 1 27.78x
Birmingham 1 0.51x
Bourton On The Water 1 107.53x
Chiswick 1 7.88x
Duns Tew 1 416.67x
Fifield 1 500.00x
Gayton 1 526.32x
Hackney London 1 0.77x
Hampstead London 1 2.77x
Kensington London 1 0.77x
Kingsley 1 68.49x
Liverpool 1 0.60x
Mitcham 1 13.99x
Nutfield 1 116.28x
Oxford St Aldate 1 66.23x
Salford 1 333.33x
Sawston 1 70.42x
St Lawrence 1 18.35x
Tewkesbury 1 24.63x
Whistones 1 45.66x
Wickham 1 114.94x
Witney 1 41.67x
Yardley 1 12.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 11
Mary 9
Elizabeth 7
Alice 6
Ann 6
Annie 6
Ellen 5
Harriett 5
Clara 4
Emma 4
Jane 4
Emily 3
Fanny 3
Hannah 3
Louisa 3
Amy 2
Charlotte 2
E. 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Florence 2
Maria 2
Ruth 2
Ada 1
Anne 1
Armedia 1
Bridget 1
Catharine 1
Catherine 1
Eleanor 1
Ethel 1
F.M. 1
Francis 1
Gertrude 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
Julia 1
Lillian 1
Lizzie 1
M.A. 1
Mable 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Rachael 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
Charles 11
George 10
Thomas 10
William 9
Henry 6
James 6
Richard 5
Arthur 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Edward 3
Joseph 3
Frederick 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Ambrose 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
F.G. 1
Foster 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrk. 1
Geo. 1
Horace 1
Hubert 1
Hy.J. 1
Jno. 1
Lawrence 1
Nathanl. 1
Percival 1
Samuel 1
Solomon 1
W.J. 1
Whitfield 1
Wm.H. 1
Wm.R. 1

FAQ

Acock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Acock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 243 people were recorded with the Acock surname. That placed it at #11,294 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Acock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016. That gives Acock a modern rank of #19,320.

What does the Acock surname mean?

Derived from a medieval nickname for a foolish or silly person, from Middle English "acock," meaning "a cock."

What does the Acock map show?

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