NameCensus.

UK surname

Askey

A locational surname derived from a place name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 705 people recorded with the Askey surname, ranking it #5,155 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 883, ranked #6,385, down from #5,155 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Darlaston, Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derbyshire Dales, Richmondshire and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Askey is 1,002 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.2%.

1881 census count

705

Ranked #5,155

Modern count

883

2016, ranked #6,385

Peak year

1999

1,002 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Askey had 705 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,155 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 883 in 2016, ranked #6,385.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 972 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Askey surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Askey surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Askey 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 539 #4,676
1861 historical 507 #5,159
1881 historical 705 #5,155
1891 historical 792 #5,075
1901 historical 931 #5,008
1911 historical 972 #4,651
1997 modern 876 #6,091
1998 modern 986 #5,739
1999 modern 1,002 #5,705
2000 modern 983 #5,777
2001 modern 961 #5,773
2002 modern 983 #5,781
2003 modern 947 #5,849
2004 modern 916 #6,001
2005 modern 900 #6,033
2006 modern 879 #6,142
2007 modern 879 #6,204
2008 modern 899 #6,132
2009 modern 918 #6,157
2010 modern 950 #6,124
2011 modern 932 #6,157
2012 modern 927 #6,109
2013 modern 923 #6,232
2014 modern 917 #6,288
2015 modern 894 #6,355
2016 modern 883 #6,385

Geography

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Where Askeys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Darlaston, Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington, London parishes, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Derbyshire Dales, Richmondshire, Shropshire, South Staffordshire and Amber Valley. 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 Darlaston Staffordshire
2 Stafford St Mary and St Chad, Tillington Staffordshire
3 London parishes London 2
4 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Derbyshire Dales 002 Derbyshire Dales
2 Richmondshire 003 Richmondshire
3 Shropshire 004 Shropshire
4 South Staffordshire 005 South Staffordshire
5 Amber Valley 015 Amber Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Askey

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Askey

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Askey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Askey 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Askey is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Askey is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Askey falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Askey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Askey

The surname Askey originated in England, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "asc," meaning ash tree, and the word "ey," which referred to an island or a piece of dry land surrounded by marshes or water. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near an ash tree or in an area with an abundance of ash trees.

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname Askey can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Askay." This ancient document, commissioned by King Edward I, was a survey of landholdings in various counties throughout England. The presence of the name in this record indicates that the Askey family had established itself in England by the latter part of the 13th century.

During the 14th century, the surname Askey appeared in various forms, such as "Aske," "Askee," and "Aski," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that era. In the Subsidy Rolls of 1327, the name is recorded as "Aske," suggesting that the family may have resided in or near a place associated with ash trees.

One notable individual bearing the surname Askey was John Askey, a prominent merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers in London during the late 15th century. He was born around 1450 and played an important role in the city's economic and civic affairs.

In the 16th century, the Askey family continued to flourish in various parts of England. Sir Robert Askey, born in 1520, was a respected landowner and member of the gentry in Cheshire. He was knighted for his service to the Crown during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another notable figure was Thomas Askey, born in 1573, who was a renowned scholar and author. He published several works on theology and philosophy, contributing to the intellectual discourse of his time.

During the 17th century, the Askey surname was associated with several notable individuals, including Richard Askey, born in 1612, who was a prominent lawyer and member of the Inner Temple in London. He played a significant role in shaping legal precedents and practices during the turbulent period of the English Civil War.

William Askey, born in 1650, was a respected clergyman and author. He served as the rector of several parishes in Lincolnshire and published several theological works that were widely read and discussed during his lifetime.

As the centuries passed, the Askey family continued to make significant contributions to various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts. While the surname may have evolved from humble beginnings related to the ash tree, it has left an indelible mark on the history and culture of England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Askey families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Askey 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. Staffordshire leads with 203 Askeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.73x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 203 8.73x
Yorkshire 114 1.67x
Warwickshire 81 4.66x
Middlesex 77 1.12x
Lancashire 51 0.62x
Lincolnshire 35 3.18x
Derbyshire 34 3.15x
Surrey 20 0.60x
Nottinghamshire 18 1.94x
Cheshire 13 0.86x
Devon 8 0.56x
Kent 7 0.30x
Norfolk 7 0.66x
Northumberland 6 0.59x
Worcestershire 6 0.67x
Hertfordshire 5 1.05x
Leicestershire 4 0.52x
Shropshire 3 0.50x
Suffolk 3 0.36x
Essex 2 0.15x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.23x
Durham 1 0.05x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.73x
Midlothian 1 0.11x
Northamptonshire 1 0.15x
Royal Navy 1 1.22x
Stirlingshire 1 0.39x
Sussex 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 45 Askeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.77x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 45 7.77x
Darlaston 36 112.04x
Aston 34 7.11x
Cannock 25 61.64x
Stoke Upon Trent 23 9.33x
Kensington London 22 5.75x
Castle Church 21 150.32x
Leeds 18 4.67x
Toxteth Park 16 5.78x
Newbold Dunston 15 146.34x
Almondbury 14 42.42x
Lambeth 14 2.33x
Salt Enson 13 1287.13x
Chelsea London 10 4.82x
Stafford St Mary 10 30.39x
Bethnal Green London 9 3.01x
Bradfield 9 34.21x
Menston 9 576.92x
Morley 9 25.37x
Acton Trussell 8 620.16x
Algarkirk 8 650.41x
Blackburn 8 3.68x
Headingley Cum Burley 8 18.21x
Pemberton 8 24.55x
Plymouth Charles The 8 12.67x
Sandon 8 661.16x
Shoreditch London 8 2.68x
Alstonefield 7 625.00x
Bingley 7 16.11x
Curbar 7 933.33x
Louth 7 27.73x
Sheffield 7 3.22x
Silkstone 7 207.10x
Weasenham All Sts 7 813.95x
Arnold 6 44.28x
Deptford St Paul 6 3.31x
Dudley 6 5.49x
Hollingworth 6 95.69x
Newcastle On Tyne St 6 11.30x
Willenhall 6 13.78x
Holmesfield 5 431.03x
Hopton Coton 5 151.98x
Hucknall Torkard 5 21.24x
Lancaster 5 10.28x
Newcastle Under Lyme 5 12.16x
Rugeley 5 29.98x
Seighford 5 270.27x
Smallthorne 5 57.94x
St Luke London 5 4.53x
Withern 5 462.96x
Boston 4 11.97x
Chipping Barnet 4 48.19x
Leicester St Mary 4 6.48x
Skerton 4 59.61x
Snenton 4 10.97x
St Andrew Holborn London 4 13.41x
St Dunstan In West London 4 186.05x
Thelwall 4 341.88x
Bedale 3 120.97x
Fulham London 3 3.00x
Gorton 3 3.91x
Hammersmith London 3 1.77x
Holbeck 3 6.64x
Islington London 3 0.45x
Manningham 3 3.57x
Spalding 3 13.73x
Tadcaster West 3 55.56x
Troston 3 379.75x
Bradford 2 1.21x
Burntwood Edial 2 13.47x
Burslem 2 3.00x
Coventry Holy Trinity 2 3.86x
Hackney London 2 0.52x
Handsworth 2 3.49x
Newington 2 0.79x
Sibsey 2 80.65x
Styrrup 2 144.93x
Walsall Foreign 2 1.67x
Warrington 2 2.06x
Windle 2 4.35x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 56
Sarah 33
Elizabeth 30
Eliza 18
Hannah 16
Jane 16
Ann 15
Emma 15
Annie 11
Martha 9
Ellen 7
Clara 6
Emily 6
Alice 5
Anne 5
Harriet 5
Margaret 5
Charlotte 4
Fanny 4
Florence 4
Maria 4
Beatrice 3
Catherine 3
Isabella 3
Kate 3
Matilda 3
Amelia 2
Amy 2
Caroline 2
Gertrude 2
Jessie 2
Lily 2
Lucy 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Adelaide 1
Ame 1
Bertha 1
Betsy 1
Eleanor 1
Elizath. 1
Elizbth 1
Elizth 1
Ester 1
Harriot 1
Johannah 1
Leonora 1
Letitia 1
Thersa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 50
John 39
Thomas 34
George 30
James 23
Charles 16
Joseph 16
Samuel 15
Arthur 10
Henry 9
Frederick 7
David 6
Edward 6
Robert 6
Alfred 5
Herbert 5
Albert 4
Harry 3
Walter 3
Chas. 2
Elijah 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Fredrick 2
Isaac 2
Mark 2
Mathew 2
Matthew 2
Tom 2
Alonzo 1
Alpha 1
Amos 1
Christmas 1
Earnest 1
Enoch 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.N. 1
Henery 1
Joe 1
Jonah 1
Josiah 1
Leonard 1
Luke 1
Mary 1
Michael 1
Nathaniel 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Askey surname: questions and answers

How common was the Askey surname in 1881?

In 1881, 705 people were recorded with the Askey surname. That placed it at #5,155 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Askey surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 883 in 2016. That gives Askey a modern rank of #6,385.

What does the Askey surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name in England.

What does the Askey map show?

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