NameCensus.

UK surname

Checketts

An English occupational surname derived from an archaic word meaning "to move chess pieces on the board".

In the 1881 census there were 249 people recorded with the Checketts surname, ranking it #11,103 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 414, ranked #11,574, down from #11,103 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew and Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dudley and Wychavon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Checketts is 451 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 66.3%.

1881 census count

249

Ranked #11,103

Modern count

414

2016, ranked #11,574

Peak year

1998

451 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Checketts had 249 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,103 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 414 in 2016, ranked #11,574.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 362 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Checketts surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Checketts surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Checketts 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 152 #15,126
1881 historical 249 #11,103
1891 historical 277 #11,784
1901 historical 316 #11,242
1911 historical 362 #10,020
1997 modern 433 #10,375
1998 modern 451 #10,393
1999 modern 440 #10,648
2000 modern 436 #10,701
2001 modern 427 #10,673
2002 modern 447 #10,501
2003 modern 425 #10,765
2004 modern 427 #10,749
2005 modern 416 #10,855
2006 modern 412 #10,976
2007 modern 418 #10,976
2008 modern 416 #11,121
2009 modern 406 #11,586
2010 modern 414 #11,673
2011 modern 411 #11,617
2012 modern 412 #11,479
2013 modern 419 #11,511
2014 modern 417 #11,632
2015 modern 408 #11,737
2016 modern 414 #11,574

Geography

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Where Checketts' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew, Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and Birmingham Town: Aston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dudley and Wychavon. 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 Dudley Staffordshire
2 Pershore Holy Cross, Pershore St Andrew Worcestershire
3 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
4 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
5 Birmingham Town: Aston Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dudley 038 Dudley
2 Dudley 023 Dudley
3 Wychavon 002 Wychavon
4 Dudley 029 Dudley
5 Wychavon 006 Wychavon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Checketts

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Checketts

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Checketts surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Checketts household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Checketts 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

Checketts is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Checketts falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Checketts 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Checketts

The surname Checketts has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "ceck," which referred to a small brook or stream. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a small watercourse.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a William Checketts is mentioned. The spelling at the time was "Cheketts," reflecting the evolution of the name over time.

In the 15th century, the name appeared in several historical records, including the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1463, where a John Checketts was recorded. Around the same time, a Thomas Checketts was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire.

During the 16th century, the name gained some prominence with the mention of a Robert Checketts in the Lay Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1524. Additionally, a Richard Checketts was recorded in the Muster Rolls of 1539 for Gloucestershire.

One notable individual bearing this surname was William Checketts, born in 1718 in Gloucestershire. He was a renowned clockmaker and watchmaker, known for his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. His work can be found in various museums and private collections.

Another noteworthy figure was John Checketts, born in 1792 in Staffordshire. He was a prominent industrialist and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the pottery industry in the region.

In the literary world, the name is associated with Elizabeth Checketts, an English author born in 1825 in Yorkshire. She wrote several novels and short stories, contributing to the literary landscape of her time.

The name Checketts can also be traced to places like Checketts Farm in Gloucestershire and Checketts Lane in Warwickshire, indicating the potential connection between the surname and specific locations.

Throughout history, variations in spelling have been observed, including Checket, Cheketts, and Chekket, reflecting the challenges of standardizing surnames in earlier eras.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Checketts families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Checketts 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. Worcestershire leads with 117 Checketts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.89x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 117 36.89x
Warwickshire 62 10.12x
Lancashire 23 0.80x
Staffordshire 17 2.07x
Gloucestershire 10 2.10x
Somerset 9 2.30x
Middlesex 7 0.29x
Shropshire 3 1.43x
Oxfordshire 1 0.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 24 Checketts' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.23x.

Place Total Index
Aston 24 14.23x
Dudley 23 59.65x
Pershore Holy Cross 23 1133.00x
Aston Cantlow 12 1304.35x
Birmingham 10 4.90x
Pershore St Andrew 10 571.43x
Barrow In Furness 9 22.96x
Droitwich St Nicholas 8 677.97x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 7 15.61x
Islington London 7 2.97x
Leamington Priors 7 46.45x
Oldbury 7 44.84x
Worcester St Nicholas 7 466.67x
Hulme 6 9.97x
Walsall Foreign 6 14.17x
Wolverhampton 6 9.52x
Worcester St Peter 5 83.33x
Harborne 4 15.22x
Hasbury 4 193.24x
Longdon 4 909.09x
St James Bath 4 2000.00x
Walcot 4 19.21x
West Derby 4 4.74x
Worcester St Martin 4 93.46x
Bromsgrove 3 28.09x
Norton By Kempsey 3 434.78x
Toxteth Park 3 3.07x
Wem 3 96.15x
Alderminster 2 487.80x
Claines 2 22.99x
Edgbaston 2 10.53x
Hallow 2 129.03x
Harbury 2 202.02x
Lye 2 37.88x
Tewkesbury 2 47.06x
Warwick St Mary 2 37.59x
Whistones 2 86.96x
Ashchurch 1 178.57x
Bath St James 1 24.51x
Birlingham 1 344.83x
Bloxham 1 68.03x
Church Lench 1 312.50x
Everton 1 1.09x
Evesham St Lawrence 1 59.17x
Milverton 1 55.56x
Peopleton 1 434.78x
Pinvin 1 416.67x
Rugeley 1 17.01x
Salford Priors 1 147.06x
Salwarpe 1 277.78x
Snitterfield 1 147.06x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 11
Mary 10
Ann 9
Emma 9
Eliza 8
Sarah 8
Alice 6
Jane 6
Ellen 5
Caroline 4
Emily 4
Fanny 4
Anne 3
Annie 3
Harriet 3
Lucy 3
Ada 2
Clara 2
Hannah 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Beatrice 1
Catherine 1
Celia 1
Charlott 1
Charlotte 1
Eleanor 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Harreot 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lavinia 1
Lena 1
Letitia 1
Louisa 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Maude 1
Miriam 1
Mitella 1
Phoebe 1
Rose 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Checketts surname: questions and answers

How common was the Checketts surname in 1881?

In 1881, 249 people were recorded with the Checketts surname. That placed it at #11,103 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Checketts surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 414 in 2016. That gives Checketts a modern rank of #11,574.

What does the Checketts surname mean?

An English occupational surname derived from an archaic word meaning "to move chess pieces on the board".

What does the Checketts map show?

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