NameCensus.

UK surname

Bodkin

A surname referring to a maker or seller of bodkins (a pointed instrument used for piercing holes).

In the 1881 census there were 270 people recorded with the Bodkin surname, ranking it #10,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 358, ranked #12,931, down from #10,484 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Horsemonden, London parishes and Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Gedling and Lewisham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bodkin is 394 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32.6%.

1881 census count

270

Ranked #10,484

Modern count

358

2016, ranked #12,931

Peak year

1911

394 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bodkin had 270 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,484 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 358 in 2016, ranked #12,931.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 394 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Bodkin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bodkin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bodkin 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 160 #12,347
1861 historical 148 #15,452
1881 historical 270 #10,484
1891 historical 292 #11,351
1901 historical 377 #9,876
1911 historical 394 #9,394
1997 modern 361 #11,892
1998 modern 364 #12,201
1999 modern 361 #12,347
2000 modern 366 #12,167
2001 modern 366 #11,998
2002 modern 383 #11,820
2003 modern 365 #12,038
2004 modern 369 #11,967
2005 modern 348 #12,410
2006 modern 341 #12,684
2007 modern 341 #12,840
2008 modern 347 #12,786
2009 modern 354 #12,858
2010 modern 373 #12,628
2011 modern 363 #12,738
2012 modern 350 #12,965
2013 modern 367 #12,707
2014 modern 365 #12,853
2015 modern 363 #12,793
2016 modern 358 #12,931

Geography

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Where Bodkins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Horsemonden, London parishes, Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead and Maidstone, Linton, Loddington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Gedling, Lewisham, Medway and Telford and Wrekin. 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 Horsemonden Kent
2 London parishes London 3
3 Yalding, Aylesford, Burham, Mereworth, Wateringbury, Nettlestead Kent
4 Maidstone, Linton, Loddington Kent
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 010 Leeds
2 Gedling 002 Gedling
3 Lewisham 027 Lewisham
4 Medway 036 Medway
5 Telford and Wrekin 017 Telford and Wrekin

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bodkin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bodkin

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Bodkin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Bodkin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bodkin 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

Bodkin is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bodkin falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Bodkin

The surname Bodkin originated in England during the medieval period. Its roots can be traced back to the Old English word "bodkin," which referred to a small, pointed instrument or tool used for piercing holes in fabric or leather. This term likely evolved from the Old English word "bydel," meaning a beadle or messenger, indicating that early bearers of the name may have been messengers or heralds.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Bodechine." This suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. During the medieval period, the name was primarily concentrated in the counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire, though it also appeared in other parts of England.

Historically, the Bodkin surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest was Robert Bodkin, a member of the English Parliament who served during the reign of King Edward III in the 14th century. Another prominent figure was Nicholas Bodkin, a 15th-century English cleric who served as the Archdeacon of Surrey from 1440 to 1465.

In Ireland, the Bodkin family established itself as a prominent Anglo-Norman dynasty during the Norman invasion of the 12th century. One of the earliest members was Christopher Bodkin, who settled in County Galway and became the progenitor of the Bodkin clan. Over the centuries, the Bodkins played a significant role in Irish history, with several members holding influential positions in the church and government.

One of the most famous Bodkins was Luke Bodkin (1588-1668), an Irish Franciscan friar and writer who was a staunch defender of Catholicism during the Reformation. He authored several works, including "The Pious Institution of a Christian Man" and "The Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Life."

Another notable figure was James Bodkin (1737-1827), an Irish judge and politician who served as the Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and Member of Parliament for the University of Dublin. He was known for his legal expertise and played a crucial role in shaping Ireland's legal system during his tenure.

While the Bodkin surname has ancient roots, it has continued to endure throughout history, with bearers of the name making significant contributions in various fields across different parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bodkin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bodkin 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. Kent leads with 173 Bodkins recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.25x.

County Total Index
Kent 173 19.25x
Middlesex 50 1.90x
Lancashire 19 0.61x
Sussex 10 2.25x
Leicestershire 7 2.40x
Surrey 5 0.39x
Essex 2 0.38x
Cheshire 1 0.17x
Cumberland 1 0.44x
Hampshire 1 0.19x
Shropshire 1 0.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Maidstone in Kent leads with 49 Bodkins recorded in 1881 and an index of 183.04x.

Place Total Index
Maidstone 49 183.04x
Horsemonden 15 1145.04x
Yalding 15 660.79x
St Pancras London 14 6.60x
Chatham 12 48.54x
Mile End Old Town London 12 21.41x
Snodland 10 392.16x
St Clement Danes London 9 165.14x
Wateringbury 8 683.76x
Boughton Monchelsea 7 707.07x
Leicester St Mary 7 29.67x
Speldhurst 7 152.84x
Birling 6 750.00x
Crompton 6 67.42x
Fulham London 5 13.09x
Hastings All Sts 5 119.62x
Atherton 4 35.15x
Leigh 4 341.88x
Nettlestead 4 740.74x
Otham 4 1176.47x
Sittingbourne 4 56.34x
Willesborough 4 165.29x
Brenchley 3 93.17x
Deptford St Paul 3 4.33x
Gillingham 3 16.19x
Hastings St Mary In The 3 31.68x
Norton Folgate London 3 348.84x
Tonbridge 3 9.26x
Bromley London 2 3.45x
Linton 2 253.16x
Manchester 2 1.42x
Newington 2 2.06x
Salford 2 2.18x
Aighton Bailey 1 66.23x
Benenden 1 357.14x
Bow London 1 2.98x
Camberwell 1 0.59x
Canterbury Holy Cross 1 114.94x
Chart Sutton 1 161.29x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.01x
Drayton In Hales 1 21.32x
East Peckham 1 53.48x
Farningham 1 125.00x
Folkestone 1 5.74x
Frant 1 31.75x
Grays Thurrock 1 20.70x
Hackney London 1 0.68x
Hollingbourn 1 96.15x
Islington London 1 0.39x
Leyton 1 11.17x
Liverpool 1 0.53x
Marden 1 47.39x
Portsea 1 0.95x
Ramsgate 1 6.82x
Southwick 1 42.55x
St Marylebone London 1 0.71x
Stoke Newington London 1 4.88x
Tenterden 1 31.55x
Wandsworth 1 3.94x
Warrington 1 2.70x
Weaverham Cum Milton 1 64.94x
Wigton 1 29.41x
Wimbledon 1 6.94x
Withington 1 9.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Sarah 14
Eliza 7
Alice 6
Emily 6
Elizabeth 5
Emma 5
Caroline 4
Fanny 4
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Esther 3
Harriet 3
Rose 3
Amy 2
Ann 2
Frances 2
Jane 2
Jessie 2
Louisa 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Charlte.Eliz. 1
Christiana 1
Dora 1
Earnest 1
Eleanor 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
Kathrine 1
Katie 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lucy 1
Mable 1
Marann 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Mercey 1
Mercy 1
Minnie 1
Nellie 1
Norah 1
Phillis 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
Thomas 12
John 10
James 9
Henry 8
Alfred 7
Charles 6
Frederick 5
George 5
Arthur 4
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Patrick 3
Richard 3
Samuel 3
Wm. 3
David 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Amos 1
Archbd.Hen. 1
Augustus 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Dominick 1
Duncan 1
Edwin 1
Fredk.Edwin. 1
Graham 1
Herb. 1
Joseph 1
Martha 1
Mathew 1
Percival 1
Percy 1
Reginald 1
Silas 1
Steven 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Bodkin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bodkin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 270 people were recorded with the Bodkin surname. That placed it at #10,484 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bodkin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 358 in 2016. That gives Bodkin a modern rank of #12,931.

What does the Bodkin surname mean?

A surname referring to a maker or seller of bodkins (a pointed instrument used for piercing holes).

What does the Bodkin map show?

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