UK surname
Derived from the Old Norse personal name Eikinn, meaning "oaken" or "of oak."
In the 1881 census there were 111 people recorded with the Aikin surname, ranking it #18,597 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 61, ranked #34,287, down from #18,597 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Carlisle St Cuthbert, Paddington and Astbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Aikin is 138 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 45.0%.
1881 census count
111
Ranked #18,597
Modern count
61
2016, ranked #34,287
Peak year
1851
138 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Aikin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Aikin surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 138 | #13,745 |
| 1861 | historical | 93 | #22,009 |
| 1881 | historical | 111 | #18,597 |
| 1891 | historical | 94 | #24,820 |
| 1901 | historical | 111 | #21,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 127 | #19,749 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 62 | #31,735 |
| 1999 | modern | 64 | #31,692 |
| 2000 | modern | 56 | #32,514 |
| 2001 | modern | 53 | #32,674 |
| 2002 | modern | 55 | #32,831 |
| 2003 | modern | 54 | #32,990 |
| 2004 | modern | 57 | #32,968 |
| 2005 | modern | 51 | #33,701 |
| 2006 | modern | 52 | #33,923 |
| 2007 | modern | 53 | #34,115 |
| 2008 | modern | 56 | #34,084 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 62 | #34,069 |
| 2011 | modern | 64 | #33,917 |
| 2012 | modern | 59 | #34,352 |
| 2013 | modern | 60 | #34,378 |
| 2014 | modern | 60 | #34,400 |
| 2015 | modern | 61 | #34,284 |
| 2016 | modern | 61 | #34,287 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Carlisle St Cuthbert, Paddington, Astbury, Manchester and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlisle St Cuthbert | Cumberland |
| 2 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | Astbury | Cheshire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 2 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Aikin surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Aikin, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Aikin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Aikin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Aikin is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Aikin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Aikin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Aikin has its origins in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English personal name "Ēacwine," meaning "an oak friend" or "an oak protector." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived near a prominent oak tree or grove of oaks.
The surname Aikin is thought to have first appeared in the region of Lancashire, England, during the early medieval period. The earliest recorded instance of the name was found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from the year 1202, where it was spelled "Aiken."
In the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of landholders commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several entries that may be related to the Aikin surname. These include references to places such as "Achetun" (now Oakton) in Staffordshire and "Acheton" (now Oakton) in Worcestershire.
Throughout the centuries, the surname has been recorded with various spellings, including Aiken, Aikin, Aikins, Aikine, and Aitken. These variations likely emerged due to inconsistent record-keeping practices and regional dialect differences.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname was John Aikin (1713-1780), an English doctor and writer who authored several medical treatises and works on literary criticism. Another notable figure was Anna Letitia Aikin (1743-1825), a celebrated English writer and poet who published works on history, biography, and children's literature.
Other historically significant individuals bearing the Aikin surname include:
1. William Aikin (1767-1828), an English surgeon and writer on medical topics. 2. Arthur Aikin (1773-1854), an English chemist and mineralogist known for his contributions to the study of minerals and their classification. 3. Lucy Aikin (1781-1864), an English historical writer and biographer, sister of Anna Letitia Aikin. 4. Edmund Aikin (1853-1924), a British clergyman and author who wrote extensively on church history and Christian theology. 5. Conrad Aiken (1889-1973), an American poet and novelist who received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1930.
The surname Aikin has a rich history rooted in the Anglo-Saxon culture of medieval England, with its earliest bearers possibly residing near oak groves or forests. Over the centuries, the name has been carried by various notable individuals, spanning fields such as medicine, literature, science, and religion.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Aikin surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 45 Aikins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.47x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 45 | 3.47x |
| Middlesex | 18 | 1.65x |
| Cambridgeshire | 7 | 10.12x |
| Cumberland | 7 | 7.44x |
| Norfolk | 7 | 4.17x |
| Northumberland | 7 | 4.31x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 1.66x |
| Surrey | 4 | 0.75x |
| Aberdeenshire | 3 | 2.97x |
| Devon | 2 | 0.88x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0.89x |
| Huntingdonshire | 2 | 9.22x |
| Denbighshire | 1 | 2.42x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.31x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.54x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.36x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Habergham Eaves in Lancashire leads with 15 Aikins recorded in 1881 and an index of 126.58x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Habergham Eaves | 15 | 126.58x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 9 | 43.71x |
| Salford | 9 | 23.61x |
| Bow London | 8 | 57.51x |
| Ardwick | 7 | 59.88x |
| Westgate | 7 | 69.58x |
| Hatley St George | 5 | 10000.00x |
| South Lynn | 5 | 263.16x |
| Paddington London | 4 | 9.96x |
| Wigton | 4 | 283.69x |
| Hulme | 3 | 11.09x |
| Irthington Newtown | 3 | 3000.00x |
| Nantwich | 3 | 107.14x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 2 | 9.47x |
| Crediton | 2 | 93.02x |
| Hackney London | 2 | 3.27x |
| Kings Lynn St Margaret | 2 | 39.68x |
| Lancaster | 2 | 25.94x |
| Reigate Foreign | 2 | 34.72x |
| Somersham | 2 | 377.36x |
| St Clement Cambridge | 2 | 689.66x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 2 | 37.95x |
| Alverstoke | 1 | 12.35x |
| Eling | 1 | 44.05x |
| Fyvie | 1 | 60.61x |
| Henllan | 1 | 95.24x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 1.65x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.05x |
| Macclesfield | 1 | 9.33x |
| Putney | 1 | 20.08x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 1.71x |
| Stopham | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Tanfield | 1 | 25.91x |
| Wootton Wawen | 1 | 114.94x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Aikin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Aikin surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Aikin households.
FAQ
In 1881, 111 people were recorded with the Aikin surname. That placed it at #18,597 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 61 in 2016. That gives Aikin a modern rank of #34,287.
Derived from the Old Norse personal name Eikinn, meaning "oaken" or "of oak."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Aikin bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.