NameCensus.

UK surname

Bourke

Derived from the Irish surname de Búrca, meaning "from the fort" or "of the borough."

In the 1881 census there were 718 people recorded with the Bourke surname, ranking it #5,071 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,081, ranked #3,107, up from #5,071 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Brent and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bourke is 2,154 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 189.8%.

1881 census count

718

Ranked #5,071

Modern count

2,081

2016, ranked #3,107

Peak year

2010

2,154 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bourke had 718 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,071 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,081 in 2016, ranked #3,107.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 718 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bourke surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bourke surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bourke 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 392 #6,129
1861 historical 441 #5,853
1881 historical 718 #5,071
1891 historical 586 #6,517
1901 historical 694 #6,336
1911 historical 590 #6,929
1997 modern 1,978 #3,082
1998 modern 2,021 #3,133
1999 modern 2,058 #3,112
2000 modern 2,035 #3,122
2001 modern 1,975 #3,136
2002 modern 2,062 #3,094
2003 modern 1,993 #3,124
2004 modern 1,998 #3,118
2005 modern 1,997 #3,095
2006 modern 1,998 #3,099
2007 modern 2,015 #3,107
2008 modern 2,009 #3,140
2009 modern 2,055 #3,143
2010 modern 2,154 #3,071
2011 modern 2,153 #3,040
2012 modern 2,086 #3,071
2013 modern 2,132 #3,056
2014 modern 2,129 #3,086
2015 modern 2,100 #3,091
2016 modern 2,081 #3,107

Geography

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Where Bourkes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, London parishes, Manchester and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, Brent, Bolton, North Dorset and Halton. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 005 Doncaster
2 Brent 028 Brent
3 Bolton 012 Bolton
4 North Dorset 006 North Dorset
5 Halton 003 Halton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bourke

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bourke

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Bourke surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bourke household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bourke 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

Bourke is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bourke falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bourke is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Bourke

The surname Bourke originates from Ireland and dates back to the 12th century when the Anglo-Norman de Burghs arrived in the country. The name is derived from the Old French word "burgh," meaning a small fortified village or town. The Bourkes were one of the first Norman families to settle in Ireland, establishing themselves in the counties of Limerick, Tipperary, and Mayo.

The earliest recorded reference to the Bourke name is found in the Annals of Innisfallen, a medieval Irish chronicle, where it is mentioned as early as 1194. The name appears in various spellings, such as de Burgo, Burgh, and Bourke, reflecting the evolution of language and regional variations.

One of the most notable historical figures bearing the Bourke surname is Sir John Bourke, born around 1420 in County Mayo. He was a prominent military commander and played a significant role in the Wars of the Roses. Another famous Bourke was Sir Richard Bourke, born in 1777, who served as the Governor of New South Wales, Australia, from 1831 to 1837.

The Bourke name is also associated with place names, such as Bourke County in New South Wales, Australia, named after Sir Richard Bourke, and the town of Bourke in the same county. Additionally, the Bourke River and the Bourke Range in Queensland, Australia, were named after Sir Richard Bourke.

Other notable individuals with the Bourke surname include Edmund Bourke, an Irish Catholic philosopher and theologian born in 1753, and Robert Bourke, born in 1844, who was an Australian politician and served as the Premier of Victoria from 1893 to 1894.

The Bourke name has a rich history in Ireland, with many prominent families and individuals contributing to various aspects of society, including military, politics, and academia. While the surname has spread worldwide, its roots can be traced back to the Anglo-Norman settlers who played a significant role in shaping the history of Ireland.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bourke families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bourke 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 197 Bourkes recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.33x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 197 2.33x
Middlesex 100 1.40x
Yorkshire 74 1.05x
Durham 40 1.89x
Northumberland 38 3.58x
Staffordshire 29 1.20x
Hampshire 26 1.78x
Kent 24 0.99x
Surrey 24 0.69x
Midlothian 20 2.09x
Channel Islands 15 7.10x
Cheshire 15 0.95x
Essex 15 1.07x
Sussex 15 1.25x
Glamorgan 13 1.05x
Warwickshire 10 0.56x
Lanarkshire 9 0.39x
Perthshire 6 1.87x
Suffolk 5 0.58x
Aberdeenshire 4 0.61x
Angus 4 0.61x
Devon 4 0.27x
Gloucestershire 4 0.29x
Monmouthshire 4 0.78x
Berkshire 3 0.56x
Cumberland 3 0.49x
Derbyshire 3 0.27x
Northamptonshire 3 0.45x
Royal Navy 3 3.53x
Dorset 2 0.43x
Flintshire 2 1.04x
Lincolnshire 2 0.18x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.88x
Shropshire 2 0.32x
Somerset 2 0.17x
Wigtownshire 2 2.11x
Bedfordshire 1 0.27x
Caithness 1 1.02x
Cardiganshire 1 0.57x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.52x
Norfolk 1 0.09x
Renfrewshire 1 0.18x
Stirlingshire 1 0.38x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 22 Bourkes recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.28x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 22 4.28x
Islington London 17 2.46x
North Shields 17 80.30x
West Derby 15 6.06x
Westoe 15 12.47x
Farnworth 14 27.61x
St Marylebone London 14 3.68x
West Ham 14 4.50x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 3.38x
Leeds 13 3.26x
Manchester 13 3.42x
St Helier 12 17.44x
Poplar London 11 8.17x
Alverstoke 10 18.90x
Haslingden 10 28.54x
Woolwich 10 11.12x
Chorlton On Medlock 9 6.70x
Dewsbury 9 12.42x
Wolverhampton 9 4.86x
Northowram 8 16.15x
Pennington In Leigh 8 49.29x
Chelsea London 7 3.26x
Coventry Holy Trinity 7 13.04x
Cowpen Bewley 7 291.67x
Guiseley 7 77.35x
Lambeth 7 1.13x
Paddington London 7 2.67x
Pulborough 7 158.73x
Royton 7 27.05x
St George Hanover Square 7 5.57x
Wavertree 7 25.85x
Ystradyfodwg 7 6.43x
Barton Upon Irwell 6 9.42x
Bradford 6 3.51x
Hindley 6 16.63x
Horton 6 114.50x
Huddersfield 6 5.83x
Hyde 6 12.92x
Layton With Warbreck 6 19.32x
Morpeth 6 48.08x
Newton 6 9.20x
Prescot 6 39.22x
Wakefield 6 11.06x
Widnes 6 9.83x
Wolstanton 6 8.21x
Aldershot 5 10.21x
Burton Upon Trent 5 8.88x
Gorton 5 6.29x
Kensington London 5 1.26x
Sheffield 5 2.22x
Westminster St John 5 5.76x
Bedwellty 4 4.40x
Bradford 4 10.10x
Glasgow 4 0.98x
Govan 4 0.70x
Hartlepool 4 13.27x
Kirkdale 4 2.81x
Liff Benvie 4 3.99x
Longbenton 4 8.90x
Mortlake 4 25.82x
Ratcliffe London 4 10.16x
Southwark St John 4 18.34x
Bow London 3 3.30x
Bury 3 3.10x
Deptford St Paul 3 1.60x
Farnborough 3 19.54x
Fulwood 3 32.82x
Gateshead 3 1.89x
Glossop Dale 3 5.74x
Hammersmith London 3 1.71x
Hastings St Mary In The 3 11.70x
Merthyr Tydfil 3 2.51x
Oswaldtwistle 3 10.03x
Perth West Church 3 19.75x
Reading St Giles 3 5.71x
Rougham 3 150.75x
Royal Navy 3 4.13x
St Pancras London 3 0.52x
Stockport 3 3.70x
Wallsend 3 8.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 73
Margaret 22
Catherine 21
Bridget 16
Ellen 16
Ann 14
Sarah 14
Annie 9
Jane 9
Elizabeth 8
Anne 6
Lucy 6
Agnes 5
Eliza 5
Emma 4
Louisa 4
May 4
Honora 3
Julia 3
Alice 2
Amy 2
Caroline 2
Catharine 2
Eleanor 2
Emily 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Johannah 2
Kate 2
Katherine 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Norah 2
Rachael 2
Selina 2
Susan 2
Winifred 2
Amelia 1
Blye 1
Brinetta 1
Elise 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Julie 1
Lillie 1
Louise 1
Luice 1
Mabel 1
Madelin 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 52
James 36
Thomas 35
Michael 26
William 25
Patrick 22
Henry 10
Edward 9
Joseph 8
Richard 7
Walter 7
Martin 6
Timothy 6
Charles 5
Francis 5
Stephen 5
Cornelius 4
Dennis 4
Daniel 3
David 3
Geoffrey 3
George 3
Peter 3
Wm. 3
Arthur 2
Edmund 2
Jeremiah 2
Luke 2
Matthew 2
Micheal 2
Philip 2
Robert 2
Simon 2
Thos. 2
Anthony 1
Cecil 1
Eduf. 1
Gore 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Hubert 1
Isidore 1
Jno. 1
Michel 1
Miles 1
Montague 1
Oliver 1
Paget 1
Palmer 1
Yates 1

FAQ

Bourke surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bourke surname in 1881?

In 1881, 718 people were recorded with the Bourke surname. That placed it at #5,071 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bourke surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,081 in 2016. That gives Bourke a modern rank of #3,107.

What does the Bourke surname mean?

Derived from the Irish surname de Búrca, meaning "from the fort" or "of the borough."

What does the Bourke map show?

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