NameCensus.

UK surname

Akehurst

Derived from a place name meaning "oak-wooded hill" in Old English, likely referring to a person's residence.

In the 1881 census there were 784 people recorded with the Akehurst surname, ranking it #4,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,034, ranked #5,641, down from #4,738 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Hove. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tunbridge Wells, Brighton and Hove and Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Akehurst is 1,119 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.9%.

1881 census count

784

Ranked #4,738

Modern count

1,034

2016, ranked #5,641

Peak year

1911

1,119 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Akehurst had 784 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,738 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,034 in 2016, ranked #5,641.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,119 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Akehurst surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Akehurst surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Akehurst 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 486 #5,133
1861 historical 459 #5,654
1881 historical 784 #4,738
1891 historical 858 #4,777
1901 historical 1,040 #4,604
1911 historical 1,119 #4,152
1997 modern 1,020 #5,401
1998 modern 1,084 #5,321
1999 modern 1,075 #5,378
2000 modern 1,100 #5,265
2001 modern 1,086 #5,225
2002 modern 1,080 #5,353
2003 modern 1,065 #5,313
2004 modern 1,072 #5,298
2005 modern 1,044 #5,357
2006 modern 1,026 #5,444
2007 modern 1,034 #5,463
2008 modern 1,053 #5,413
2009 modern 1,091 #5,355
2010 modern 1,112 #5,388
2011 modern 1,091 #5,416
2012 modern 1,043 #5,527
2013 modern 1,066 #5,528
2014 modern 1,069 #5,545
2015 modern 1,044 #5,603
2016 modern 1,034 #5,641

Geography

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Where Akehursts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough, Hove and Hellingly. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tunbridge Wells, Brighton and Hove and Wealden. 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 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Hove Sussex
5 Hellingly Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tunbridge Wells 010 Tunbridge Wells
2 Tunbridge Wells 003 Tunbridge Wells
3 Brighton and Hove 004 Brighton and Hove
4 Wealden 020 Wealden
5 Wealden 004 Wealden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Akehurst

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Akehurst

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Akehurst, 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 Akehurst surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Akehurst 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Akehurst 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

Akehurst is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Akehurst

The surname Akehurst is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from a place name, likely a small village or hamlet located in one of the southern counties of England, such as Sussex or Kent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from the late 13th century, where it appears as "Acherste." This spelling variation suggests that the name may have evolved from an Old English phrase, potentially "æc-hyrst," which translates to "oak wood" or "oak grove."

During the 14th and 15th centuries, various spellings of the name emerged in historical records, including "Akherst," "Akherste," and "Akerst." These variations reflect the regional dialects and scribal interpretations of the time. It is possible that the name was derived from a specific location, such as a small hamlet or farmstead near an oak-covered hill or woodland area.

In the 16th century, the spelling "Akehurst" became more prevalent, as evidenced by entries in parish records and tax rolls from counties like Kent and Surrey. One notable individual from this era was John Akehurst, a landowner and yeoman farmer who lived in the village of Westerham, Kent, in the mid-1500s.

The 17th century saw the name spread across other parts of southern England, with records showing Akehursts residing in counties like Hampshire and Dorset. During this period, the name also started appearing in official documents, such as the Protestation Returns of 1641-1642, which recorded individuals who pledged allegiance to the Protestant faith.

In the 18th century, the Akehurst family continued to establish roots in various parts of England. One notable figure was William Akehurst, a merchant and ship owner from Portsmouth, who was born in 1725 and played a role in the city's maritime trade.

As the Industrial Revolution unfolded in the 19th century, some Akehursts migrated to urban centers in search of employment opportunities. One such individual was Thomas Akehurst, a skilled carpenter born in 1810 in Kent, who later settled in London and worked on various construction projects.

Throughout the centuries, the Akehurst name has been associated with various professions, from farmers and landowners to merchants, tradesmen, and professionals. While not a widespread surname, it has maintained a consistent presence in England, particularly in the southern counties where it originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Akehurst families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Akehurst 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. Sussex leads with 518 Akehursts recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.17x.

County Total Index
Sussex 518 40.17x
Kent 106 4.06x
Middlesex 71 0.93x
Surrey 51 1.37x
Hampshire 9 0.57x
Yorkshire 9 0.12x
Cambridgeshire 7 1.45x
Warwickshire 5 0.26x
Lincolnshire 3 0.25x
Devon 1 0.06x
Essex 1 0.07x
Glamorgan 1 0.08x
Northamptonshire 1 0.14x
Somerset 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 146 Akehursts recorded in 1881 and an index of 56.12x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 146 56.12x
Tonbridge 28 29.75x
Hellingly 26 601.85x
Hove 20 35.35x
Burwash 17 284.28x
St Marylebone London 17 4.16x
Waldron 16 455.84x
Gillingham 15 27.88x
Cowfold 14 512.82x
Deptford St Paul 14 6.96x
Eastdean 13 1710.53x
Hastings St Mary In The 13 47.26x
Lewes St John Southover 13 150.12x
Heathfield 12 229.45x
Pevensey 12 1250.00x
Rotherfield 11 96.92x
Herstmonceaux 10 257.73x
Jevington 10 1298.70x
Seal 10 237.53x
Steyning 10 228.83x
Leeds 9 2.10x
Nutfield 9 319.15x
Piddinghoe 9 1525.42x
Reigate Foreign 9 22.30x
Wartling 9 573.25x
Frant 8 87.53x
Chailey 7 175.44x
Denton 7 551.18x
East Grinstead 7 38.36x
Fulham London 7 6.31x
Hackney London 7 1.63x
Harston 7 339.81x
Laughton 7 370.37x
Plumstead 7 8.05x
Westham 7 266.16x
Bermondsey 6 2.64x
Bexhill 6 93.31x
Eastbourne 6 10.11x
Hastings St Mary 6 18.70x
Horsemonden 6 157.48x
Portslade 6 76.14x
Withyam 6 108.70x
Aston 5 0.94x
Deal 5 22.46x
Falmer 5 331.13x
Hammersmith London 5 2.65x
Kensington London 5 1.18x
Lambeth 5 0.75x
Lower Beeding 5 145.77x
Wivelsfield 5 99.21x
Barcombe 4 129.45x
Chelsea London 4 1.74x
Hastings St Andrew 4 86.58x
Islington London 4 0.54x
Lewes St Michael 4 156.25x
Paddington London 4 1.42x
Salehurst 4 71.68x
Sevenoaks 4 18.90x
Shoreditch London 4 1.21x
Southampton All Sts 4 14.87x
Southwark Christchurch 4 11.16x
Boston 3 8.09x
Burstow 3 94.94x
Cliffe 3 68.81x
Folkestone 3 5.93x
Newhaven 3 28.65x
Precinct Of Savoy London 3 909.09x
Preston 3 13.32x
Ringmer 3 82.64x
Slaugham 3 71.94x
St George Hanover Square 3 2.23x
St Mary Extra 3 23.77x
Wadhurst 3 35.42x
Westfield 3 109.09x
Weybridge 3 37.50x
Worth 3 32.05x
Broadwater 2 6.76x
Croydon 2 0.97x
Lewes St John 2 139.86x
St Pancras London 2 0.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 39
Elizabeth 24
Alice 19
Annie 15
Ellen 15
Emily 15
Sarah 15
Ann 12
Caroline 12
Eliza 11
Jane 11
Rose 11
Emma 10
Fanny 10
Frances 10
Louisa 10
Esther 7
Harriett 7
Florence 6
Kate 6
Matilda 6
Charlotte 5
Minnie 5
Catherine 4
Hannah 4
Margaret 4
Maria 4
Phoebe 4
Rebecca 4
Agnes 3
Anne 3
Clara 3
Flora 3
Harriet 3
Martha 3
Maud 3
Ruth 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Amy 2
Anna 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Gertrude 2
Laura 2
Mabel 2
Miriam 2
Rosa 2
Susannah 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 42
George 39
James 29
John 29
Thomas 26
Henry 25
Charles 19
Edward 15
Albert 14
Alfred 13
Stephen 12
Harry 9
Frederick 7
Joseph 7
Arthur 6
Samuel 6
Walter 6
Amos 5
Edwin 5
Ernest 5
Richard 5
Percy 4
Frank 3
Alick 2
Benjamin 2
David 2
Fred 2
Geo. 2
Harold 2
Herbert 2
Legh 2
Mark 2
Richd. 2
Robert 2
Sidney 2
Thos. 2
Andrew 1
Charlie 1
Danl. 1
Edw. 1
Eli 1
Ethelbert 1
Fredric 1
Geo.Willm. 1
Jno.Peter 1
Jonathan 1
Lewis 1
Loyd 1
Shem 1
Wm.Stephen 1

FAQ

Akehurst surname: questions and answers

How common was the Akehurst surname in 1881?

In 1881, 784 people were recorded with the Akehurst surname. That placed it at #4,738 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Akehurst surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,034 in 2016. That gives Akehurst a modern rank of #5,641.

What does the Akehurst surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "oak-wooded hill" in Old English, likely referring to a person's residence.

What does the Akehurst map show?

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