NameCensus.

UK surname

Coaker

An English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "cocor" meaning cook.

In the 1881 census there were 280 people recorded with the Coaker surname, ranking it #10,202 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 339, ranked #13,492, down from #10,202 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, London parishes and Plymouth St Charles the Martyr. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Teignbridge and South Hams.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coaker is 393 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.1%.

1881 census count

280

Ranked #10,202

Modern count

339

2016, ranked #13,492

Peak year

1911

393 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Coaker had 280 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,202 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 339 in 2016, ranked #13,492.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 393 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Coaker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Coaker surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Coaker 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 208 #10,107
1861 historical 173 #13,553
1881 historical 280 #10,202
1891 historical 367 #9,486
1901 historical 356 #10,305
1911 historical 393 #9,408
1997 modern 327 #12,784
1998 modern 348 #12,585
1999 modern 354 #12,497
2000 modern 355 #12,430
2001 modern 336 #12,721
2002 modern 349 #12,652
2003 modern 347 #12,479
2004 modern 333 #12,927
2005 modern 338 #12,698
2006 modern 338 #12,779
2007 modern 336 #12,975
2008 modern 343 #12,899
2009 modern 354 #12,858
2010 modern 351 #13,220
2011 modern 345 #13,221
2012 modern 343 #13,158
2013 modern 345 #13,326
2014 modern 339 #13,581
2015 modern 341 #13,425
2016 modern 339 #13,492

Geography

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Where Coakers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, London parishes, Plymouth St Charles the Martyr and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon. 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 Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Plymouth St Charles the Martyr Devon
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 012 Pembrokeshire
2 Pembrokeshire 010 Pembrokeshire
3 Teignbridge 003 Teignbridge
4 South Hams 002 South Hams
5 West Devon 003 West Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Coaker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Coaker

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Coaker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Coaker 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Coaker is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Coaker is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Coaker 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 Coaker is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Coaker

The surname Coaker is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the counties of Devon and Somerset. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "coc," meaning a hill or a small mound, combined with the suffix "-er," which was used to denote an occupation or place of residence.

The earliest known record of the Coaker surname dates back to the 13th century. In the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset from 1327, a person named William le Coker is mentioned, indicating the use of the name in that region during that time period.

In the 14th century, the Coaker surname appeared in various historical records, such as the Lay Subsidy Rolls of Devon in 1332, where a certain John Coker was listed. The Cokers were also mentioned in the Feet of Fines of Devon from 1389.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Coaker surname was John Coker, who was born around 1420 in Huntspill, Somerset. He was a prominent landowner and served as a member of the local gentry.

Another notable figure with the Coaker surname was William Coker, born in 1535 in South Petherton, Somerset. He was a successful merchant and served as a magistrate in the town.

In the 17th century, the Coaker surname was found in various parts of England, including Gloucestershire, where a family of Coakers resided in the village of Slimbridge. One member of this family, Thomas Coaker, was born in 1645 and became a respected farmer and landowner in the area.

During the 18th century, the Coaker surname gained prominence in the county of Devon. One notable individual was Samuel Coaker, born in 1712 in Tiverton, Devon. He was a successful businessman and philanthropist who funded the construction of several schools and churches in the region.

Another influential figure with the Coaker surname was John Coaker, born in 1765 in Exeter, Devon. He was a renowned author and poet, known for his works celebrating the natural beauty of the English countryside.

While the Coaker surname has its roots in the southwest of England, it has since spread to other parts of the country and the world, likely due to migration and various historical events. However, its origins can be traced back to the Old English word "coc" and the early settlements in the counties of Devon and Somerset.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Coaker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coaker 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. Devon leads with 210 Coakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.67x.

County Total Index
Devon 210 36.67x
Middlesex 31 1.13x
Cornwall 8 2.57x
Pembrokeshire 6 6.86x
Surrey 5 0.37x
Gloucestershire 4 0.74x
Lancashire 3 0.09x
Sussex 3 0.65x
Cheshire 2 0.33x
Somerset 2 0.45x
Bedfordshire 1 0.70x
Glamorgan 1 0.21x
Hampshire 1 0.18x
Hertfordshire 1 0.53x
Isle of Man 1 1.96x
Oxfordshire 1 0.59x
Royal Navy 1 3.05x
Worcestershire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lidford in Devon leads with 51 Coakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1984.44x.

Place Total Index
Lidford 51 1984.44x
Plymouth Charles The 25 99.09x
Stoke Damerel 19 47.42x
Stokenham 14 869.57x
Dartmouth St Petrox 12 1445.78x
Harberton 11 846.15x
Egg Buckland 10 1020.41x
Plympton St Mary 9 271.90x
Holne 8 2857.14x
Bow London 7 19.99x
Ashprington 6 1428.57x
Bromley London 6 9.91x
Dale 6 1935.48x
Dunsford 6 821.92x
Hammersmith London 6 8.85x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 13.60x
Widdecombeinthe Moor 6 779.22x
Dartmouth Townstall 5 214.59x
St Marylebone London 5 3.40x
Clifton 4 14.67x
Rattery 4 1081.08x
Antony 3 99.67x
Callington 3 165.75x
Ermington 3 144.23x
Holbeton 3 285.71x
Islington London 3 1.13x
Lambeth 3 1.25x
West Derby 3 3.14x
Winchelsea St Thomas 3 517.24x
Wolborough 3 41.44x
Ashburton 2 72.99x
Horsell 2 235.29x
Langport Eastover 2 312.50x
Sale 2 26.85x
Budock 1 42.74x
Charleton 1 192.31x
Chelsea London 1 1.21x
Devonport 1 15.20x
Dudley 1 2.29x
Exeter St Sidwell 1 7.63x
Kenton 1 55.25x
Kingskerswell 1 105.26x
Limehouse London 1 3.31x
Lonan 1 32.36x
Luton 1 4.06x
Madron Penzance 1 8.83x
Nuneham Courtenay 1 400.00x
Poplar London 1 1.93x
Portsea 1 0.91x
Rickmansworth 1 19.16x
Shoreditch London 1 0.84x
South Brent 1 81.30x
Swansea Town 1 2.55x
Tormoham 1 4.13x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 23
Elizabeth 14
Ellen 8
Emily 8
Sarah 7
Ann 3
Charlotte 3
Clara 3
Emma 3
Florence 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Beatrice 2
Bessie 2
Elizab. 2
Ethel 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Mahala 2
Margaret 2
Bessy 1
Blanch 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Clare 1
Eliza 1
Elizth.Ann 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florance 1
Francis 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Hester 1
Jessie 1
Juilua 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lillia 1
Louisa 1
Lousia 1
Lydia 1
Maggie 1
Maria 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 30
William 23
Richard 10
George 8
Thomas 8
Charles 6
Jonas 6
Robert 5
Francis 4
Henry 4
Alfred 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Herbert 2
Joseph 2
Samuel 2
Sydney 2
Andrew 1
Brook 1
Edmund 1
Ernest 1
Francies 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Garland 1
Harry 1
James 1
Mark 1
Saml.N. 1
Silvey 1
Solomon 1
Sp 1
Wallace 1
Wilfred 1
Willam 1

FAQ

Coaker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Coaker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 280 people were recorded with the Coaker surname. That placed it at #10,202 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Coaker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 339 in 2016. That gives Coaker a modern rank of #13,492.

What does the Coaker surname mean?

An English occupational surname derived from the Old English word "cocor" meaning cook.

What does the Coaker map show?

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