UK surname
A surname of uncertain origin, potentially derived from the French surname "Boucher" meaning butcher or meat merchant.
In the 1881 census there were 17 people recorded with the Buker surname, ranking it #31,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #31,170 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Darlaston and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Buker is 659 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.9%.
1881 census count
17
Ranked #31,170
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
659 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Buker surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Buker 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 | 127 | #14,547 |
| 1861 | historical | 659 | #4,069 |
| 1881 | historical | 17 | #31,170 |
| 1891 | historical | 645 | #6,016 |
| 1901 | historical | 58 | #27,724 |
| 1911 | historical | 50 | #27,806 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 6 | #38,016 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 7 | #37,920 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Darlaston, St Pancras, Lambeth and Nottingham St Mary. 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 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Darlaston | Staffordshire |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Nottingham St Mary | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Buker 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 Buker, 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 Buker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Buker 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, Buker 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 Buker is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Buker, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Buker has its origins in England, where it first emerged in the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "boc" and "ere," which together meant "keeper of books" or "scribe." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to individuals who worked as scribes or had professions related to books and literature.
The Buker surname can be traced back to various historical records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it appears as "Bokere." This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. Additionally, the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, contains references to individuals with similar occupational surnames, such as "Le Bokere" and "Bocher."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Buker surname is in the Pipe Rolls of Shropshire from 1180, which mention a certain Robertus Bokere. Another notable early bearer of the name was John Buker, who was born in Gloucestershire around 1390 and served as a clerk and scrivener for the Bishop of Worcester.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Buker surname. One such figure was Sir William Buker (1567-1624), a prominent English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London. Another was Reverend Thomas Buker (1617-1689), an English clergyman who served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Devizes, Wiltshire.
In the 19th century, John Buker (1815-1892) was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Marlborough, Wiltshire. Additionally, Charles Buker (1854-1931) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from Liverpool, known for his contributions to various charitable organizations.
Lastly, Sir Edward Buker (1883-1957) was a distinguished British diplomat who served as the Ambassador to Turkey from 1939 to 1944 and played a crucial role in negotiating the Montreux Convention of 1936, which regulated the passage of ships through the Dardanelles Strait.
While the Buker surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, likely through emigration and migration patterns over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Buker 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 5 Bukers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 5 | 3.20x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 3.23x |
| Devon | 4 | 12.32x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 6.82x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.90x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 5 Bukers recorded in 1881 and an index of 57.27x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 5 | 57.27x |
| Stoke Damerel | 4 | 176.21x |
| Tottenham | 3 | 120.97x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 29.59x |
| Cannock | 1 | 108.70x |
| Weedon Beck | 1 | 909.09x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Buker 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 Buker 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 Buker households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Boot Machinest | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Driver Royal Artillery | 1 |
| Engineers Pattern Maker (E And M) | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Office Boy | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 17 people were recorded with the Buker surname. That placed it at #31,170 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Buker a modern rank of #37,829.
A surname of uncertain origin, potentially derived from the French surname "Boucher" meaning butcher or meat merchant.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Buker 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.