UK surname
A surname derived from "alken", meaning oak tree in certain dialects.
In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Alken surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #31,761 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stapleford, Redruth and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alken is 103 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 46.2%.
1881 census count
13
Ranked #31,761
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1861
103 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Alken surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Alken surname density by area, 1861 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 | 13 | #30,970 |
| 1861 | historical | 103 | #20,650 |
| 1881 | historical | 13 | #31,761 |
| 1891 | historical | 30 | #31,889 |
| 1901 | historical | 17 | #32,146 |
| 1911 | historical | 10 | #32,609 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 6 | #37,456 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 8 | #37,346 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 8 | #37,572 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 7 | #37,816 |
| 2010 | modern | 7 | #37,904 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 4 | #38,335 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stapleford, Redruth, Newcastle All Saints, Wigan and Lambeth. 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 | Stapleford | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Redruth | Cornwall |
| 3 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 4 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Alken 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 Alken, 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 Alken surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Alken 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, Alken 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 Alken is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Alken, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Alken is believed to have its origins in northern Europe, likely from the regions of Germany or Denmark. The name possibly dates back to the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. It is associated with old Germanic and Nordic words, possibly derived from the Old Norse word "alfr" meaning "elf" and "ken" meaning "knowing or wise", giving it a connotation of "elf-wise" or someone with elvish wisdom. This west Germanic root gave rise to various similar spellings including Alcken, Alchin, and Elken.
Historical records first mention the surname Alken in German manuscripts. One of the earliest documented references is in a 13th-century register from Lübeck in northern Germany, where a Johann Alken is mentioned as a merchant. This indicates that the surname was already in use during this time.
The surname also appears in ecclesiastical records. In the late 14th century, a cleric named Heinrich Alken is recorded in church documents in Hamburg. These records suggest that the Alken family was involved in both commercial and religious activities, spreading throughout the Germanic regions during the late medieval period.
In the 15th century, a Flemish painter named Jan Alken was prominent in Bruges. His works, though not many survive, reflect the artistic culture of the period and indicate the presence of the Alken surname in the Low Countries. His birth and death dates are somewhat unclear, but records suggest he was active during the 1450s.
By the 17th century, the surname had spread further into Denmark. A notable figure was Hans Alken, a philosopher and academic who taught at the University of Copenhagen. Born in 1620 and dying in 1685, his works on natural philosophy were widely read and respected during his lifetime.
In the 19th century, the Alken surname made its appearance in the United Kingdom with Joseph Alken, an artist known for his meticulous illustrations of English countryside scenes and hunting landscapes. Born in 1780 and dying in 1851, Joseph Alken's contributions to art and illustration were well-recognized in Victorian England.
Throughout the centuries, the surname Alken has been associated with various professions and regions in Europe. Early records and historical references show its deep roots in Germanic and Nordic culture, with influences in commerce, religion, arts, and academics, painting a vivid picture of a surname rich in history and legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alken 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. Monmouthshire leads with 5 Alkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.53x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 54.53x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 3.15x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 7.32x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.66x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Woollos in Monmouthshire leads with 5 Alkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 490.20x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Woollos | 5 | 490.20x |
| Islington London | 4 | 32.55x |
| Glasgow | 3 | 41.21x |
| Tyldesley Cum Shakerley | 1 | 232.56x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Alken 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 Alken 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 Alken households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Accountants Assistant | 1 |
| Draughtsmans Wife | 1 |
| Engineering Draughtsman | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Pipe Moulder (Iron) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Alken surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Alken a modern rank of #37,967.
A surname derived from "alken", meaning oak tree in certain dialects.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Alken 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.