NameCensus.

UK surname

Alker

Derived from a place name meaning "alder wood" or "alder marsh" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 558 people recorded with the Alker surname, ranking it #6,201 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 657, ranked #8,108, down from #6,201 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bolton-le-Moors, Wigan and Standish. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, Bolton and Bristol.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alker is 814 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.7%.

1881 census count

558

Ranked #6,201

Modern count

657

2016, ranked #8,108

Peak year

1911

814 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alker had 558 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,201 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 657 in 2016, ranked #8,108.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 814 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Alker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alker surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alker 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 267 #8,342
1861 historical 306 #8,296
1881 historical 558 #6,201
1891 historical 713 #5,520
1901 historical 730 #6,065
1911 historical 814 #5,405
1997 modern 731 #7,000
1998 modern 716 #7,347
1999 modern 745 #7,181
2000 modern 755 #7,066
2001 modern 736 #7,084
2002 modern 727 #7,285
2003 modern 708 #7,309
2004 modern 694 #7,456
2005 modern 681 #7,508
2006 modern 672 #7,607
2007 modern 668 #7,708
2008 modern 658 #7,843
2009 modern 675 #7,861
2010 modern 692 #7,852
2011 modern 681 #7,852
2012 modern 656 #8,011
2013 modern 667 #8,042
2014 modern 672 #8,037
2015 modern 668 #8,009
2016 modern 657 #8,108

Geography

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Where Alkers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bolton-le-Moors, Wigan and Standish. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, Bolton, Bristol, Chorley and West Lancashire. 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 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire
2 Wigan Lancashire
3 Standish Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 018 Wigan
2 Bolton 009 Bolton
3 Bristol 001 Bristol, City of
4 Chorley 013 Chorley
5 West Lancashire 015 West Lancashire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alker

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Alker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Alker household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Alker 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

Alker 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

Alker 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 Alker 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Alker

The surname Alker has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "alor" or "aler," meaning alder tree, suggesting that the name referred to someone who lived near an alder grove or worked with alder wood.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Alker can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of England, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. One of the earliest known references is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1332, which mentions a Richard del Alker.

The name Alker is closely linked to several place names in northern England, such as Alker in Lancashire and Alker Holme in Yorkshire. These place names likely originated from the Old English words "alor" or "aler," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the alder tree.

While the Alker surname does not appear in the Domesday Book, it is believed to have evolved from similar names found in that historical record, such as Aldreth and Aldred, which share the same root meaning related to the alder tree.

Among the notable individuals bearing the Alker surname throughout history are:

1. Thomas Alker (c. 1560-1636), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of St. Olave's Church in London.

2. John Alker (1770-1844), a British soldier and author who served in the Napoleonic Wars and wrote several books on military tactics.

3. Elizabeth Alker (1825-1887), an English author and poet known for her works on the history and folklore of Lancashire.

4. William Alker (1862-1942), a British industrialist and philanthropist who founded the Alker Textile Mills in Bolton, Lancashire.

5. Henry Alker (1898-1968), an English artist and illustrator renowned for his contributions to children's literature, particularly his illustrations for fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

The Alker surname has undergone various spelling variations throughout its history, including Alker, Alkar, Alkere, and Aulker, reflecting the regional dialects and linguistic influences of the areas where it was prevalent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alker 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. Lancashire leads with 484 Alkers recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.57x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 484 7.57x
Durham 14 0.87x
Cheshire 11 0.93x
Middlesex 7 0.13x
Monmouthshire 7 1.80x
Warwickshire 7 0.52x
Yorkshire 7 0.13x
Flintshire 6 4.15x
Shropshire 6 1.29x
Glamorgan 1 0.11x
Lanarkshire 1 0.06x
Lincolnshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wigan in Lancashire leads with 62 Alkers recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.44x.

Place Total Index
Wigan 62 69.44x
Aspull 53 352.63x
Pemberton 44 172.68x
Upholland 27 329.67x
Hindley 21 77.09x
Openshaw 21 70.19x
Preston 18 10.53x
Ince In Makerfield 16 53.82x
Ashton In Makerfield 15 82.46x
Orrell 15 188.92x
Salford 15 7.98x
Adlington 13 217.39x
Winstanley 12 1200.00x
Bedford 10 74.79x
Halliwell 9 38.71x
Haydock 9 81.74x
Ashton Under Lyne 8 5.73x
Billinge Higher End 8 308.88x
Worthington 8 1702.13x
Appleton 7 260.22x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 7 14.08x
Blackburn 7 4.12x
Christchurch 7 58.14x
Droylsden 7 33.59x
Netherton 7 985.92x
Stretford 7 19.91x
Willington 7 75.59x
Chorley 6 16.74x
Madeley 6 35.17x
Parr 6 26.25x
St Botolph Aldersgate 6 97.24x
Walton On Hill 6 17.34x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 5 117.92x
Llanasa 5 99.60x
Ramsgreave 5 1136.36x
West Derby 5 2.67x
Birkenhead 4 4.22x
Birmingham 4 0.88x
Litherland 4 29.94x
Tudhoe 4 28.53x
Aston 3 0.80x
Billinge Chapel End 3 83.57x
Carleton 3 434.78x
Everton 3 1.47x
Ferryhill 3 53.57x
Fishwick 3 75.95x
Withington 3 14.58x
Birkdale 2 12.37x
Pendleton In Salford 2 2.63x
Prescot 2 17.30x
Toxteth Park 2 0.92x
Westhoughton 2 11.73x
Beswick 1 6.12x
Blackrod 1 12.59x
Church 1 11.09x
Fleet 1 40.82x
Gorton 1 1.67x
Govan 1 0.23x
Kirkdale 1 0.93x
Little Bolton 1 1.22x
Llandaff 1 3.21x
Manchester 1 0.35x
Over Darwen 1 1.96x
Rhuddlan 1 7.85x
Rumworth 1 10.95x
St Marylebone London 1 0.35x
Westleigh 1 6.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Elizabeth 24
Sarah 24
Margaret 23
Ellen 22
Ann 21
Alice 16
Jane 13
Annie 8
Martha 8
Emily 6
Catherine 5
Emma 5
Esther 5
Harriet 5
Elizth. 4
Eliza 3
Hannah 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Eleanor 2
Florence 2
Helen 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Maria 2
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Betty 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Edith 1
Eliz. 1
Eliz.E. 1
Elizth 1
Elizth.Jane 1
Elsie 1
Ethel 1
Grace 1
Infant 1
Janet 1
Lavinea 1
Lavinia 1
Lillee 1
Lillian 1
Louisa 1
Margret 1
Margt. 1
Matilda 1
W. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 44
John 36
James 35
Thomas 34
Arthur 13
Edward 12
Nicholas 11
Robert 11
Samuel 9
George 7
Joseph 7
Richard 6
Henry 5
Ralph 4
Wm. 4
Alfred 3
Peter 3
David 2
Edwin 2
Thos. 2
Willie 2
Albert 1
Auther 1
Charles 1
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Howard 1
Isac 1
Jacob 1
Jas. 1
Levi 1
Manual 1
Mathew 1
Vincent 1
Walter 1
Willy 1

FAQ

Alker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 558 people were recorded with the Alker surname. That placed it at #6,201 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 657 in 2016. That gives Alker a modern rank of #8,108.

What does the Alker surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "alder wood" or "alder marsh" in Old English.

What does the Alker map show?

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