NameCensus.

UK surname

Burkin

A locational surname of English origin referring to someone from a brook or stream.

In the 1881 census there were 248 people recorded with the Burkin surname, ranking it #11,140 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 306, ranked #14,543, down from #11,140 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Nutfield and Beckenham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stockton-on-Tees, Tonbridge and Malling and Hastings.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Burkin is 386 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.4%.

1881 census count

248

Ranked #11,140

Modern count

306

2016, ranked #14,543

Peak year

1999

386 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Burkin had 248 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,140 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016, ranked #14,543.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 301 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Burkin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Burkin surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Burkin 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 162 #12,215
1861 historical 165 #14,112
1881 historical 248 #11,140
1891 historical 275 #11,847
1901 historical 286 #12,029
1911 historical 301 #11,422
1997 modern 365 #11,804
1998 modern 372 #12,008
1999 modern 386 #11,740
2000 modern 382 #11,792
2001 modern 364 #12,033
2002 modern 365 #12,246
2003 modern 352 #12,365
2004 modern 336 #12,848
2005 modern 312 #13,462
2006 modern 327 #13,092
2007 modern 333 #13,062
2008 modern 329 #13,286
2009 modern 327 #13,599
2010 modern 342 #13,440
2011 modern 337 #13,463
2012 modern 332 #13,501
2013 modern 327 #13,868
2014 modern 311 #14,464
2015 modern 305 #14,579
2016 modern 306 #14,543

Geography

Back to top

Where Burkins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Nutfield, Beckenham and Cudham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stockton-on-Tees, Tonbridge and Malling, Hastings and Braintree. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Nutfield Surrey
3 Beckenham Kent
4 Cudham Kent
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stockton-on-Tees 020 Stockton-on-Tees
2 Stockton-on-Tees 018 Stockton-on-Tees
3 Tonbridge and Malling 013 Tonbridge and Malling
4 Hastings 010 Hastings
5 Braintree 015 Braintree

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Burkin

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Burkin

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Burkin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Burkin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Burkin is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Burkin is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Burkin falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Burkin is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Burkin

The surname BURKIN has its origins in England and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words "burge" and "kyn", which together mean "a person from a fortified town or borough". This suggests that the first bearers of this name likely hailed from a borough or fortified settlement.

Some of the earliest records of the name BURKIN can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1197, where it appears as "Burgekyn". Similar spellings such as "Burghkyn" and "Burghkin" can also be found in various medieval records across England.

In the 13th century, the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire mentioned a John Burgekyn, indicating the presence of the name in that region during that time. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 also recorded a Thomas Burghkyn, further cementing the name's presence in different parts of England.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir Richard Burkin, a knight who fought alongside King Edward III in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War in 1346. His bravery and loyalty to the crown were celebrated in various chronicles of the time.

Another notable figure was John Burkin, a wealthy merchant from Bristol who lived in the late 15th century. He was known for his extensive trade ventures across Europe and his generous contributions to the city's development.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of William Burkin (1520-1598), a celebrated playwright and poet during the Elizabethan era. His works, though lesser known today, were highly praised by his contemporaries and helped establish the BURKIN name in literary circles.

As the centuries progressed, the name continued to be found across various parts of England, with some variations in spelling, such as "Burken" and "Burkyn". One notable bearer was Elizabeth Burken (1674-1742), a renowned landscape artist whose works adorned the homes of many noble families in the 18th century.

Finally, the 19th century saw the birth of Sir James Burkin (1832-1901), a renowned explorer and naturalist who led several expeditions to Africa and contributed significantly to the study of flora and fauna in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Burkin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Burkin 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. Surrey leads with 112 Burkins recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.54x.

County Total Index
Surrey 112 9.54x
Kent 58 7.06x
Middlesex 40 1.66x
Leicestershire 11 4.12x
Worcestershire 9 2.86x
Derbyshire 5 1.33x
Lancashire 4 0.14x
Buckinghamshire 2 1.37x
Yorkshire 2 0.08x
Cheshire 1 0.19x
Northamptonshire 1 0.44x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.31x
Warwickshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cudham in Kent leads with 34 Burkins recorded in 1881 and an index of 4047.62x.

Place Total Index
Cudham 34 4047.62x
Croydon 28 42.97x
Caterham 22 423.89x
Bromley 11 87.79x
Camberwell 10 6.50x
Reigate Foreign 10 78.68x
St Pancras London 10 5.16x
Deptford St Paul 9 14.20x
Swannington 9 909.09x
Dudley 8 20.92x
Islington London 7 3.00x
Lambeth 7 3.33x
Nutfield 7 786.52x
Chipstead 6 1132.08x
Streatham 6 33.56x
Carshalton 4 89.09x
Derby St Peter 4 33.31x
Edmonton 4 20.61x
Harrow 4 108.70x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 8.25x
St George Bloomsbury 4 28.94x
Sutton 4 47.11x
Chiswick 3 22.80x
Acton 2 14.16x
Burnham 2 107.53x
Coulsdon 2 93.90x
Downe 2 434.78x
Limehouse London 2 7.56x
Mitcham 2 26.95x
Oldham 2 2.17x
Alfreton 1 8.73x
Birmingham 1 0.49x
Bromley London 1 1.89x
Broughton In Salford 1 3.83x
Cheetham 1 4.69x
Cliff Cum Lund 1 188.68x
Evenley 1 243.90x
Hackney London 1 0.74x
Leicester St Margaret 1 1.54x
Lewisham 1 2.28x
Lindridge 1 125.00x
Long Whatton 1 172.41x
Northen Etchells 1 161.29x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.19x
Seal 1 75.19x
Southowram 1 13.72x
St Peter Le Poer London 1 476.19x
Willesden 1 4.40x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Sarah 10
Elizabeth 9
Emily 7
Alice 5
Eliza 5
Ellen 5
Emma 5
Jane 5
Annie 4
Charlotte 4
Esther 4
Minnie 4
Ann 3
Fanny 3
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Margaret 2
Rhoda 2
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Charbet 1
Clara 1
Clarena 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Hilda 1
Josephine 1
Julia 1
Lillian 1
Lily 1
Lizzey 1
Louisa 1
Louse 1
Martha 1
Moria 1
Priscilla 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 17
William 17
John 12
Henry 7
Thomas 7
James 6
Robert 5
Arthur 4
Edward 3
Jesse 3
Michael 3
Alfred 2
Joseph 2
Phillip 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Areld 1
B. 1
Charles 1
Edmund 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Hedey 1
Jacob 1
Louis 1
Mitchel 1
Nichelous 1

FAQ

Burkin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Burkin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 248 people were recorded with the Burkin surname. That placed it at #11,140 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Burkin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016. That gives Burkin a modern rank of #14,543.

What does the Burkin surname mean?

A locational surname of English origin referring to someone from a brook or stream.

What does the Burkin map show?

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