NameCensus.

UK surname

Coke

Derived from a place name or from the Old English word "coc," meaning a heap or mound.

In the 1881 census there were 376 people recorded with the Coke surname, ranking it #8,326 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 566, ranked #9,075, down from #8,326 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Gillingham and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk and North Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Coke is 569 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 50.5%.

1881 census count

376

Ranked #8,326

Modern count

566

2016, ranked #9,075

Peak year

2010

569 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Coke had 376 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,326 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 566 in 2016, ranked #9,075.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 499 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Coke surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Coke surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Coke 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 371 #6,410
1861 historical 473 #5,497
1881 historical 376 #8,326
1891 historical 499 #7,446
1901 historical 368 #10,057
1911 historical 414 #9,062
1997 modern 506 #9,218
1998 modern 527 #9,222
1999 modern 521 #9,362
2000 modern 492 #9,749
2001 modern 460 #10,063
2002 modern 504 #9,578
2003 modern 506 #9,404
2004 modern 498 #9,547
2005 modern 504 #9,393
2006 modern 507 #9,386
2007 modern 523 #9,238
2008 modern 531 #9,211
2009 modern 537 #9,341
2010 modern 569 #9,124
2011 modern 558 #9,152
2012 modern 560 #9,050
2013 modern 565 #9,124
2014 modern 566 #9,174
2015 modern 568 #9,068
2016 modern 566 #9,075

Geography

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Where Cokes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Gillingham, St Pancras, North Meols and Crawfordjohn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to King's Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk, North Dorset and Mendip. 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 1
2 Gillingham Dorset
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 North Meols Lancashire
5 Crawfordjohn Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 002 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
2 North Norfolk 002 North Norfolk
3 North Dorset 008 North Dorset
4 Mendip 001 Mendip
5 Mendip 007 Mendip

Forenames

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First names often paired with Coke

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Coke

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Coke surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Coke 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Coke is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Coke is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Coke falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Coke 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 Coke, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Coke

The surname Coke originates from England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Middle English word "cok," which referred to a trader or seller of various goods, particularly coal. The name likely emerged as an occupational surname for those involved in the coal trade.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Coke is found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named William Coke is mentioned in Oxfordshire. The Pipe Rolls of the late 12th century also contain references to individuals with the name, such as Richard Coke in Gloucestershire.

The name Coke has been associated with various places across England, including Coke Priory in Dorset, which dates back to the 12th century. Some variations of the name include Cooke, Cocke, and Cocks, reflecting the fluid nature of surname spellings in earlier times.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Coke throughout history include Edward Coke (1552-1634), an influential English jurist and Member of Parliament, known for his legal writings and defense of the common law. Another prominent figure was Sir John Coke (1563-1644), a Secretary of State and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I.

Thomas Coke (1747-1814) was an influential English Methodist minister and the first bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. He played a significant role in the spread of Methodism throughout the United States and the establishment of the church's structure.

Sir Edward Coke (1749-1824), a British naval officer and explorer, is remembered for his voyages to the Pacific and his role in the exploration and colonization of Australia. He discovered and named several islands in the region, including Norfolk Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Another notable figure was Sir Edward Coke (1776-1842), a British diplomat and politician who served as Governor of the Leeward Islands and as a Member of Parliament. He was involved in the abolition of the slave trade and the promotion of education in the Caribbean colonies.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Coke who have left their mark on history, spanning fields such as law, religion, exploration, and politics. The name's origins can be traced back to the coal trade in medieval England, showcasing its evolution and significance over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Coke families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Coke 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. Middlesex leads with 49 Cokes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.32x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 49 1.32x
Lancashire 40 0.91x
Surrey 36 1.99x
Lanarkshire 27 2.25x
Nottinghamshire 27 5.39x
Dorset 20 8.20x
Kent 20 1.58x
Berkshire 18 6.45x
Devon 17 2.20x
Derbyshire 16 2.75x
Essex 13 1.77x
Hampshire 13 1.71x
Yorkshire 11 0.30x
Glamorgan 8 1.24x
Gloucestershire 8 1.10x
Somerset 8 1.34x
Norfolk 6 1.05x
Shropshire 5 1.56x
Sussex 5 0.80x
Wiltshire 5 1.52x
Cheshire 4 0.49x
Channel Islands 3 2.72x
Herefordshire 3 1.97x
Hertfordshire 3 1.17x
Renfrewshire 3 1.04x
Worcestershire 3 0.62x
Royal Navy 2 4.52x
Staffordshire 2 0.16x
Warwickshire 2 0.21x
Cornwall 1 0.24x
Midlothian 1 0.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.37x
Northamptonshire 1 0.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birkdale in Lancashire leads with 14 Cokes recorded in 1881 and an index of 125.45x.

Place Total Index
Birkdale 14 125.45x
Kensington London 12 5.81x
Wimbledon 12 59.03x
Hurst 11 301.37x
Richmond 11 43.34x
Nottingham St Mary 10 7.72x
West Ham 10 6.17x
Crawfordjohn 9 841.12x
Gillingham 9 214.80x
York St Maurice 9 129.87x
Mile End Old Town London 8 10.11x
North Meols 8 18.53x
Crawford 7 312.50x
Portsea 7 4.69x
Clifton 6 16.28x
Croydon 6 5.97x
Minster In Sheppey 6 28.56x
Stoke 6 191.69x
Swansea Town 6 11.31x
Ashford 5 40.49x
Brimington 5 113.12x
Carstairs 5 200.80x
Derby St Peter 5 26.98x
Hammersmith London 5 5.46x
Madeley 5 42.48x
Tottenham 5 8.45x
Trowbridge 5 34.41x
West Derby 5 3.88x
Barrow 4 434.78x
Dalziel 4 30.94x
Hampstead London 4 6.91x
Holkham 4 579.71x
Hove 4 14.55x
Kirkby In Ashfield 4 74.63x
Liverpool 4 1.49x
Mansfield Woodhouse 4 120.12x
Motcombe 4 222.22x
Penge 4 16.85x
Pinxton 4 135.14x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 6.71x
Wincanton 4 129.87x
Arnold 3 41.04x
Charlton Musgrove 3 576.92x
Colyton 3 101.01x
Hulme 3 3.26x
Lancaster 3 11.43x
Leyton Low 3 20.12x
Ramsgate 3 14.49x
Reading St Giles 3 10.96x
Renfrew 3 31.55x
Rickmansworth 3 42.55x
St George Hanover Square 3 4.58x
St Helier 3 8.37x
Stourbridge 3 24.02x
Aston 2 0.77x
Axminster 2 55.10x
Ballidon 2 1428.57x
Bothwell 2 6.14x
Carisbrooke 2 18.90x
Caundle Bishop 2 465.12x
Eardisley 2 181.82x
Everton 2 1.42x
Gillingham 2 7.65x
Llantrisant 2 12.26x
Longford 2 377.36x
Newark Upon Trent 2 11.10x
Portland 2 15.24x
Reading St Lawrence 2 33.50x
Royal Navy 2 5.28x
Wymering 2 160.00x
Barnes 1 13.05x
Bradford Girlington 1 60.61x
Bray 1 12.20x
Gate Fulford 1 11.63x
Lewisham 1 1.48x
Lullington 1 105.26x
Mottisfont 1 151.52x
St Michael Winchester 1 64.52x
Streatham 1 3.63x
Whittington 1 38.91x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
George 13
James 13
Edward 11
Charles 10
John 10
Henry 7
Joseph 7
Richard 5
Thomas 5
Archibald 4
Albert 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Fredrick 2
Herbert 2
Matthew 2
Robert 2
Daniel 1
Desmond 1
Dewes 1
Dewis 1
E.W. 1
Edgar 1
Edwd. 1
Ellen 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Gilbert 1
H. 1
Harry 1
Humphry 1
Jacinth 1
Job 1
Johen 1
Langton 1
Liegh 1
Nicholas 1
Reginald 1
Richd.K. 1
Roland 1
S.F. 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Stanley 1
Wm.O. 1

FAQ

Coke surname: questions and answers

How common was the Coke surname in 1881?

In 1881, 376 people were recorded with the Coke surname. That placed it at #8,326 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Coke surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 566 in 2016. That gives Coke a modern rank of #9,075.

What does the Coke surname mean?

Derived from a place name or from the Old English word "coc," meaning a heap or mound.

What does the Coke map show?

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