NameCensus.

UK surname

Barke

A topographic surname derived from the Middle English "barke", referring to a person living near a grove of trees or woods.

In the 1881 census there were 195 people recorded with the Barke surname, ranking it #13,054 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 391, ranked #12,073, up from #13,054 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Stathern and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southend-on-Sea, Derby and Derbyshire Dales.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barke is 741 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 100.5%.

1881 census count

195

Ranked #13,054

Modern count

391

2016, ranked #12,073

Peak year

1861

741 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barke had 195 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,054 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 391 in 2016, ranked #12,073.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 741 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Barke surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barke surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barke 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 397 #6,070
1861 historical 741 #3,687
1881 historical 195 #13,054
1891 historical 656 #5,920
1901 historical 441 #8,830
1911 historical 454 #8,445
1997 modern 406 #10,889
1998 modern 405 #11,241
1999 modern 383 #11,823
2000 modern 391 #11,591
2001 modern 375 #11,774
2002 modern 392 #11,607
2003 modern 383 #11,614
2004 modern 395 #11,390
2005 modern 386 #11,493
2006 modern 377 #11,743
2007 modern 392 #11,550
2008 modern 386 #11,795
2009 modern 395 #11,838
2010 modern 406 #11,847
2011 modern 398 #11,907
2012 modern 369 #12,443
2013 modern 392 #12,100
2014 modern 393 #12,168
2015 modern 393 #12,059
2016 modern 391 #12,073

Geography

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Where Barkes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Stathern, Manchester, Liverpool and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Southend-on-Sea, Derby, Derbyshire Dales, Bolsover and Harlow. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Stathern Leicestershire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Southend-on-Sea 013 Southend-on-Sea
2 Derby 002 Derby
3 Derbyshire Dales 007 Derbyshire Dales
4 Bolsover 006 Bolsover
5 Harlow 007 Harlow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barke

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barke

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Barke surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Barke household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Barke is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Barke is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Barke falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Barke is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Barke

The surname "BARKE" is of English origin, emerging in the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "bærc," meaning "bark" or "outer covering of a tree." The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near a prominent tree or wooded area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "BARKE" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1195, where a person named Adam Barke is mentioned. This suggests that the surname had already become established by the late 12th century.

During the medieval period, the name "BARKE" was not confined to a specific region but could be found across various parts of England. It appeared in various spellings, such as "Bark," "Barke," and "Barcke," reflecting the variations in local dialects and scribal practices.

In the 14th century, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 mention a John Barke residing in Oxfordshire. This historical record provides insight into the geographic spread of the surname during that time.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname "BARKE." One of the earliest was William Barke, a member of the English Parliament who represented the constituency of Northampton in 1388.

Another prominent figure was Sir John Barke (1534-1616), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Middlesex. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1612 and was known for his philanthropic endeavors.

In the literary world, the name "BARKE" is associated with Thomas Barke (1607-1677), an English poet and playwright. He is best known for his poetry collection, "The Shepherd's Hunting," published in 1654.

During the 18th century, a renowned physician named Edward Barke (1733-1798) made significant contributions to the field of medicine. He was a fellow of the Royal Society and published several influential works on medical topics.

In more recent times, one notable bearer of the surname was Sir James Barke (1879-1958), a Scottish novelist and playwright. He is celebrated for his works depicting the lives of working-class Scots, such as the novel "The Winds of Time" (1934).

The surname "BARKE" has a rich history, dating back to the late 12th century in England. While initially a descriptive nickname, it has since been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including politicians, merchants, writers, and medical professionals, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barke families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barke 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 43 Barkes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.89x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 43 1.89x
Nottinghamshire 42 16.21x
Middlesex 27 1.40x
Leicestershire 20 9.39x
Derbyshire 10 3.32x
Surrey 9 0.96x
Staffordshire 7 1.08x
Bedfordshire 5 5.03x
Durham 5 0.87x
Lanarkshire 5 0.80x
Warwickshire 4 0.83x
Monmouthshire 3 2.16x
Shropshire 3 1.81x
Essex 2 0.53x
Flintshire 2 3.87x
Northumberland 2 0.70x
Channel Islands 1 1.76x
Kent 1 0.15x
Lincolnshire 1 0.33x
Norfolk 1 0.34x
Oxfordshire 1 0.84x
Royal Navy 1 4.37x
Somerset 1 0.32x
Yorkshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 20 Barkes recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.74x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 20 10.74x
Kirkby In Ashfield 17 613.72x
Stathern 12 3333.33x
Butterworth 9 161.87x
Moss Side 8 66.67x
Richmond 8 60.98x
Skegby 8 503.14x
Sutton In Ashfield 8 142.35x
Heanor 7 155.56x
Leicester St Nicholas 6 495.87x
Salford 6 8.95x
Glasgow 5 4.53x
Mansfield Woodhouse 5 290.70x
Potton 5 378.79x
Stoke Upon Trent 5 7.27x
Liverpool 4 2.89x
Woodland 4 1052.63x
Wuerdle Wardle 4 57.80x
Chorlton Cum Hardy 3 198.68x
Mansfield 3 33.48x
Monmouth 3 81.52x
Shrewsbury St Alkmond 3 326.09x
Birkdale 2 34.66x
Bootle Cum Linacre 2 11.04x
Chirton 2 30.91x
Coventry Holy Trinity 2 13.82x
Flint 2 68.26x
Foleshill 2 39.22x
North Meols 2 8.96x
Sedgley 2 8.30x
Staines 2 65.79x
Windle 2 15.59x
Basford 1 8.38x
Bedminster 1 3.44x
Dedham 1 86.96x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.98x
Ealing 1 5.82x
Eckington 1 13.68x
Hackney London 1 0.93x
Hendon 1 14.47x
High Coniscliffe 1 434.78x
Hilgay 1 90.09x
Hulme 1 2.10x
Hunslet 1 3.37x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.92x
Leyton Low 1 12.97x
Mark Eaton 1 222.22x
Matlock 1 24.75x
Melton Mowbray 1 26.11x
Midville 1 769.23x
Neithrop 1 25.06x
Rotherhithe 1 4.21x
Royal Navy 1 5.11x
Shoreditch London 1 1.20x
St Martin 1 28.65x
St Pancras London 1 0.65x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 18
William 12
George 8
Henry 7
Joseph 7
Thomas 5
Arthur 3
Frank 3
James 3
Robert 3
Aaron 2
Charles 2
David 2
Edward 2
Frederick 2
Samuel 2
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Clement 1
Colman 1
Earnest 1
Edrop 1
Lewis 1
Matthew 1
Peter 1
Reginald 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Wallace 1
Walter 1
Warold 1

FAQ

Barke surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barke surname in 1881?

In 1881, 195 people were recorded with the Barke surname. That placed it at #13,054 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barke surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 391 in 2016. That gives Barke a modern rank of #12,073.

What does the Barke surname mean?

A topographic surname derived from the Middle English "barke", referring to a person living near a grove of trees or woods.

What does the Barke map show?

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