UK surname
An English topographic surname derived from a location containing coak, meaning "red marsh."
In the 1881 census there were 40 people recorded with the Coake surname, ranking it #28,011 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 19, ranked #36,760, down from #28,011 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stockport, London parishes and Phillack. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coake is 171 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.5%.
1881 census count
40
Ranked #28,011
Modern count
19
2016, ranked #36,760
Peak year
1891
171 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Coake surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Coake 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 | 41 | #25,926 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 40 | #28,011 |
| 1891 | historical | 171 | #16,733 |
| 1901 | historical | 61 | #27,379 |
| 1911 | historical | 86 | #24,243 |
| 1997 | modern | 19 | #35,928 |
| 1998 | modern | 20 | #35,885 |
| 1999 | modern | 21 | #35,810 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 22 | #35,740 |
| 2004 | modern | 22 | #35,878 |
| 2005 | modern | 24 | #35,827 |
| 2006 | modern | 19 | #36,323 |
| 2007 | modern | 22 | #36,213 |
| 2008 | modern | 20 | #36,443 |
| 2009 | modern | 19 | #36,603 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 20 | #36,587 |
| 2012 | modern | 20 | #36,570 |
| 2013 | modern | 20 | #36,614 |
| 2014 | modern | 19 | #36,740 |
| 2015 | modern | 20 | #36,653 |
| 2016 | modern | 19 | #36,760 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stockport, London parishes, Phillack, Leominster and Ham, East. 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 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Phillack | Cornwall |
| 4 | Leominster | Herefordshire |
| 5 | Ham, East | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Coake 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 Coake, 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 Coake surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Coake 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, Coake 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 Coake is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Coake, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Coake has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "coc," meaning a small hill or mound, and was likely used as a topographic name to denote someone who lived near such a geographic feature.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Coake can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Dorset in 1195, where it appears as "Coke." This spelling variation was common during the medieval period, as surnames were often written phonetically by scribes.
In the 13th century, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a Ralph Coke from Northamptonshire, indicating the name's presence in various regions of England during that era.
The Coake surname has a strong connection to place names, particularly in areas like Derbyshire, where the village of Coke is located. This locality likely influenced the adoption of the surname by families residing there.
One notable bearer of the Coake surname was Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634), an influential English barrister, judge, and politician who served as the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and the King's Bench during the reign of King James I. He played a significant role in establishing the principles of common law and the independence of the judiciary.
Another prominent figure was Sir John Coke (1563-1644), an English politician and landowner who served as the Secretary of State under King James I. He was also a member of the House of Commons and held influential positions in various councils and committees.
In the literary realm, John Cooke (c. 1608-1660) was an English playwright and author known for his plays "The City Wit" and "The English Monsieur."
The Coake surname also has connections to the American colonies, with Thomas Cooke (1608-1678) being one of the early settlers in Massachusetts Bay Colony and a founding member of the town of Plymouth.
Lastly, Sir Algernon Cooke (1685-1750) was a British military officer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Paymaster General of the Forces during the reign of King George II.
These historical references and notable individuals bearing the Coake surname highlight its long-standing presence and significance across various aspects of English and American history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coake 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 20 Coakes recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.22x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 20 | 6.22x |
| Hampshire | 4 | 6.07x |
| Surrey | 4 | 2.55x |
| Radnorshire | 3 | 115.38x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.99x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.31x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 6 Coakes recorded in 1881 and an index of 79.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Clerkenwell London | 6 | 79.05x |
| Limehouse London | 6 | 169.97x |
| St Mary At Hill London | 4 | 20000.00x |
| Egham | 3 | 312.50x |
| Knighton | 3 | 1428.57x |
| Hendon | 2 | 172.41x |
| Northwood | 2 | 212.77x |
| Addingham | 1 | 416.67x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 4.87x |
| Derby St Werburgh | 1 | 34.36x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 16.47x |
| Portsea | 1 | 7.74x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 24.10x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 5.82x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Coake 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 Coake 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 Coake households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Block Maker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Carpenter (App) | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Goods Porter | 1 |
| House And Ship Carpenter | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid Domestic | 1 |
| Ivory Turner | 1 |
| Labourer General | 1 |
| Late Painter & Decorator | 1 |
| Mangler | 1 |
| Plumber & Gas Fitter | 1 |
| Rabbit Catcher (Gamekeeper) | 1 |
| Rabbit Catchers Wife | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Shopman (GL) | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 40 people were recorded with the Coake surname. That placed it at #28,011 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 19 in 2016. That gives Coake a modern rank of #36,760.
An English topographic surname derived from a location containing coak, meaning "red marsh."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Coake 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.