UK surname
A surname derived from the occupation of a baker.
In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Bakey surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9, ranked #37,705, down from #31,170 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Rowley Regis and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bakey is 130 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 47.1%.
1881 census count
17
Ranked #31,170
Modern count
9
2016, ranked #37,705
Peak year
1861
130 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bakey surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bakey 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 | 17 | #30,267 |
| 1861 | historical | 130 | #17,164 |
| 1881 | historical | 17 | #31,170 |
| 1891 | historical | 68 | #28,300 |
| 1901 | historical | 8 | #33,289 |
| 1911 | historical | 16 | #31,804 |
| 1997 | modern | 11 | #36,912 |
| 1998 | modern | 17 | #36,240 |
| 1999 | modern | 13 | #36,693 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 13 | #36,620 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 16 | #36,530 |
| 2006 | modern | 18 | #36,412 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 11 | #37,435 |
| 2014 | modern | 10 | #37,567 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 9 | #37,705 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Rowley Regis, Wigan, Battersea and Doddington. 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 | Lancaster Borough | Lancashire |
| 2 | Rowley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Doddington | Cambridgeshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bakey 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 Bakey, 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 Bakey surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bakey 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, Bakey 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 Bakey is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bakey, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Bakey originated in England during the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'bacan', meaning to bake or cook. The name likely referred to an occupation or a baker by trade.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, where a man named Richard Bakere is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the transition from the occupational term to a hereditary surname.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Bakker, Bakkere, and Bakker, reflecting regional differences in spelling and pronunciation. One notable example is John Bakere, a clergyman who served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1363 to 1367.
The Bakey surname has been associated with several locations in England, including the village of Bakewell in Derbyshire, which may have influenced some spelling variations. Additionally, the name has been linked to places like Bakewell in Nottinghamshire and Bakewell in Somerset.
During the 16th century, the Bakey surname began to appear more consistently in its modern spelling. One notable figure was Sir Robert Bakey (1515-1584), a prominent English jurist and member of the Privy Council under Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of John Bakey (1636-1719), an English philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of optics. He is best known for his work on the nature of light and his development of the Bakerian Lecture series at the Royal Society.
Another prominent individual with the Bakey surname was William Bakey (1742-1824), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. He rose to the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his distinguished service.
In the 19th century, the Bakey family had a presence in various parts of England, as evidenced by records from counties such as Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Yorkshire. One notable figure was Elizabeth Bakey (1810-1889), a pioneering English educator and advocate for women's education.
Throughout its history, the Bakey surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including military personnel, academics, artists, and professionals from various fields.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bakey 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. Lancashire leads with 12 Bakeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.11x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 12 | 6.11x |
| Suffolk | 3 | 14.87x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 10.89x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Farnworth in Lancashire leads with 7 Bakeys recorded in 1881 and an index of 593.22x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bakey 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 Bakey 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 Bakey households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Farm Lab | 2 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| Sailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Bakey surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 9 in 2016. That gives Bakey a modern rank of #37,705.
A surname derived from the occupation of a baker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bakey 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.