UK surname
A surname indicating a place of residence or origin near a grove of birch trees.
In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Barken surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2011, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,015, down from #32,765 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bury, Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha and Horsemonden. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barken is 101 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.7%.
1881 census count
7
Ranked #32,765
Modern count
1
2011, ranked #39,015
Peak year
1851
101 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Barken surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Barken surname density by area, 1851 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 | 101 | #17,036 |
| 1861 | historical | 9 | #32,724 |
| 1881 | historical | 7 | #32,765 |
| 1891 | historical | 3 | #34,257 |
| 1901 | historical | 23 | #31,466 |
| 1911 | historical | 53 | #27,508 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bury, Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha, Horsemonden, St Leonard Shoreditch and Bunwell. 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 | Bury | Lancashire |
| 2 | Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Horsemonden | Kent |
| 4 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Bunwell | Norfolk |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Barken 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 Barken, 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 Barken surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Barken 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, Barken 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 Barken is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Barken, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Barken is believed to have originated in Germany, specifically in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "bark," which means "bark" or "tree bark," likely referring to an occupation or trade involving bark or forestry.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barken can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dated around the 13th century. The document mentions a family with the surname Barken residing in the town of Freiberg.
In the 14th century, there are records of a prominent family named Barken in the city of Nuremberg, Bavaria. This family was involved in the local politics and trade guilds, with some members holding influential positions in the city council.
One notable individual with the surname Barken was Hans Barken (1450-1522), a renowned woodcarver and sculptor from Nuremberg. His intricate works adorned several churches and public buildings in the region, showcasing his exceptional craftsmanship.
Another significant figure was Johann Barken (1570-1642), a German theologian and philosopher from Saxony. He was a professor at the University of Leipzig and authored several treatises on religious and philosophical topics, contributing to the intellectual discourse of his time.
In the 17th century, a branch of the Barken family migrated to the Netherlands, where they became prominent merchants and traders. One of their descendants, Willem Barken (1625-1689), was a successful merchant and ship owner based in Amsterdam.
The surname Barken also found its way to England, where it was sometimes anglicized as "Barken" or "Barkin." One such individual was Robert Barken (1685-1752), a respected clergyman and author from London, known for his sermons and theological writings.
Over the centuries, the surname Barken has spread across various regions and countries, with descendants bearing the name scattered around the world. While the specific origins and meanings may have evolved over time, the surname Barken remains rooted in its historical German heritage and its association with occupations related to forestry and bark.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barken 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. Glamorgan leads with 5 Barkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.19x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Swansea Town in Glamorgan leads with 5 Barkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 515.46x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Swansea Town | 5 | 515.46x |
| Newton On Ayr | 1 | 666.67x |
| West Meon | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Barken surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Ellen | 1 |
| Glennie | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Barken 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 Barken households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| General Labourer | 3 |
| Scholar | 2 |
FAQ
In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Barken surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2011. That gives Barken a modern rank of #39,015.
A surname indicating a place of residence or origin near a grove of birch trees.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Barken 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.