UK surname
An anglicized version of a Slavic surname likely derived from a word meaning "trader" or "barterer".
In the 1881 census there were 37 people recorded with the Barkin surname, ranking it #28,418 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4, ranked #38,419, down from #28,418 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Alrewas, Alrewas Hayes, St Pancras and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barkin is 180 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 89.2%.
1881 census count
37
Ranked #28,418
Modern count
4
2016, ranked #38,419
Peak year
1861
180 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Barkin surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Barkin surname density by area, 1891 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 | 37 | #26,673 |
| 1861 | historical | 180 | #13,057 |
| 1881 | historical | 37 | #28,418 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 16 | #32,260 |
| 1911 | historical | 29 | #30,190 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 4 | #38,359 |
| 2014 | modern | 3 | #38,552 |
| 2015 | modern | 3 | #38,558 |
| 2016 | modern | 4 | #38,419 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Alrewas, Alrewas Hayes, St Pancras, Toxteth Park, Manchester 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 No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alrewas, Alrewas Hayes | Staffordshire |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Barkin 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 Barkin, 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 Barkin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Barkin 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, Barkin 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 Barkin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Barkin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "BARKIN" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words "bær" meaning "bare" and "cyn" meaning "family" or "kin". This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a family or clan that lived in a sparsely populated or uncultivated area.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "BARKIN" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Barcyne". This entry refers to a landowner in the county of Lincolnshire. It is possible that the name was originally associated with a specific place or manor, as was common with many English surnames.
In the 13th century, the surname appears in various records as "Barkyn" and "Barkine". During this time, the name was predominantly found in the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, indicating that these areas may have been strongholds for families bearing this surname.
One notable individual with the surname "BARKIN" was Sir John Barkin, a knight who lived in the late 14th century. He served as a member of Parliament for the county of Lincolnshire and was involved in various military campaigns during the Hundred Years' War.
Another prominent figure with this surname was Thomas Barkin, born in 1546 in Yorkshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner, and records show that he was involved in the wool trade, which was a significant industry in England at the time.
In the 17th century, the surname "BARKIN" appears in several parish records in the county of Norfolk. One such record from 1642 mentions a William Barkin, who was a farmer and landowner in the village of Blakeney.
During the 18th century, the surname "BARKIN" spread to other parts of England, as well as to Scotland and Ireland. One notable individual from this period was James Barkin, born in 1748 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a renowned philosopher and writer, and his works on ethics and political theory were widely read and influential.
Another individual of note was Mary Barkin, born in 1782 in County Cork, Ireland. She was a renowned poet and activist, known for her works that championed women's rights and social reform. Her collection of poems, "Echoes from the Emerald Isle," published in 1829, was widely acclaimed and helped to establish her reputation as a leading literary figure of her time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barkin 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. Middlesex leads with 11 Barkins recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.97x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 11 | 2.97x |
| Surrey | 10 | 5.54x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 8.62x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 9.74x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 8.93x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.54x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 10.05x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.91x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 14.53x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.80x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 7 Barkins recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.70x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney London | 7 | 33.70x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 15.48x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 4 | 39.92x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 4 | 229.89x |
| Pentrich | 3 | 909.09x |
| Selby | 2 | 259.74x |
| Tingewick | 2 | 2000.00x |
| Croydon | 1 | 9.98x |
| Derby St Alkmund | 1 | 57.47x |
| Isleworth | 1 | 60.61x |
| Kings Bromley | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Lynesack Softley | 1 | 333.33x |
| Old Kilpatrick | 1 | 84.75x |
| Onchan | 1 | 50.51x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 7.34x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 15.31x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 3.35x |
| Swarkeston | 1 | 3333.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Barkin 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 Barkin 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 Barkin households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Bookeeper (Ret) | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 1 |
| Fish Dealer | 1 |
| General Servt | 1 |
| Genral Servant | 1 |
| Grocer | 1 |
| Housemaid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Ivory Turner | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Licensed Victular | 1 |
| Lodgg Ho Keeper | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Pensioner (No Occ) | 1 |
| Pork Butcher | 1 |
| Retired Butcher | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Shoe Rivetter | 1 |
| Upholsterer | 1 |
| Upholsterer Wife | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 37 people were recorded with the Barkin surname. That placed it at #28,418 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 4 in 2016. That gives Barkin a modern rank of #38,419.
An anglicized version of a Slavic surname likely derived from a word meaning "trader" or "barterer".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Barkin 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.