NameCensus.

UK surname

Alkan

A Turkish surname derived from the word "alkan" meaning brave, strong, or powerful.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Christchurch, Enfield and Haringey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alkan is 113 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

113

2016, ranked #28,691

Peak year

2016

113 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016, ranked #28,691.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Alkan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alkan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alkan 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 31 #34,582
1998 modern 37 #34,149
1999 modern 36 #34,323
2000 modern 37 #34,217
2001 modern 43 #33,576
2002 modern 50 #33,282
2003 modern 54 #32,990
2004 modern 60 #32,684
2005 modern 61 #32,814
2006 modern 70 #32,240
2007 modern 79 #31,628
2008 modern 90 #30,567
2009 modern 96 #30,239
2010 modern 112 #28,336
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 107 #29,017
2013 modern 112 #28,675
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 112 #28,809
2016 modern 113 #28,691

Geography

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Where Alkans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Christchurch, Enfield and Haringey. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Christchurch 003 Christchurch
2 Enfield 028 Enfield
3 Haringey 028 Haringey
4 Haringey 011 Haringey
5 Haringey 025 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alkan

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alkan

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Alkan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Alkan 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Alkan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Alkan is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Alkan falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alkan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Alkan, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Alkan

The surname Alkan has its origins in Turkey, with roots dating back to the Ottoman Empire period. It is believed to be derived from the Turkish word "alkan," which means "red" or "reddish-brown." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname referring to a person's hair color, complexion, or perhaps even their profession.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Alkan can be found in various Ottoman records and documents, particularly in regions like Anatolia and the Balkans, where the Ottoman Empire had a significant presence. It appears that the name was initially more prevalent among Turkish and Turkic-speaking communities within the empire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alkan is found in the Ottoman tax registers (tahrir defterleri) from the 16th century, where individuals bearing this surname were listed as residents of various towns and villages across Anatolia. These records provide valuable insights into the geographic distribution of the name during that period.

In the 18th century, the Alkan surname gained prominence with the birth of Fethi Ahmet Alkan (1770-1835), a renowned Ottoman military commander and statesman. He played a crucial role in various military campaigns and held influential positions within the Ottoman administration.

Another notable figure with the Alkan surname was Ahmet Hamdi Alkan (1867-1942), a Turkish painter and calligrapher who made significant contributions to the art scene during the late Ottoman and early Republican periods. His works are celebrated for their artistic merits and their portrayal of daily life in Ottoman society.

The 19th century also saw the rise of Halil Alkan (1860-1928), a prominent Turkish writer and journalist who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Turkish literature. His works, which often explored social and political themes, had a profound impact on the literary landscape of the time.

In the 20th century, Ülkü Alkan (1914-1993) gained recognition as a highly regarded Turkish academic and author. Her research focused on Turkish literature, language, and culture, and she published numerous books and articles that shed light on these subjects.

It is worth noting that variations of the name Alkan, such as Alkan, Alkan, and Alkan, can be found in various historical records and documents, reflecting the diversity of spelling and pronunciation across different regions and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Alkan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Alkan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 113 in 2016. That gives Alkan a modern rank of #28,691.

What does the Alkan surname mean?

A Turkish surname derived from the word "alkan" meaning brave, strong, or powerful.

What does the Alkan map show?

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