NameCensus.

UK surname

Colk

In the 1881 census there were 63 people recorded with the Colk surname, ranking it #24,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 201, ranked #19,525, up from #24,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Broadland, Norwich and North Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Colk is 205 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 219.0%.

1881 census count

63

Ranked #24,711

Modern count

201

2016, ranked #19,525

Peak year

2014

205 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Colk had 63 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 201 in 2016, ranked #19,525.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 85 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Colk surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Colk surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Colk 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 56 #26,864
1881 historical 63 #24,711
1891 historical 71 #27,934
1901 historical 62 #27,252
1911 historical 85 #24,322
1997 modern 180 #18,812
1998 modern 194 #18,451
1999 modern 195 #18,517
2000 modern 195 #18,494
2001 modern 191 #18,453
2002 modern 195 #18,590
2003 modern 194 #18,463
2004 modern 190 #18,792
2005 modern 191 #18,707
2006 modern 184 #19,254
2007 modern 183 #19,553
2008 modern 180 #19,946
2009 modern 175 #20,707
2010 modern 181 #20,738
2011 modern 185 #20,288
2012 modern 194 #19,606
2013 modern 197 #19,725
2014 modern 205 #19,375
2015 modern 201 #19,494
2016 modern 201 #19,525

Geography

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Where Colks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Broadland, Norwich and North Norfolk. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Broadland 001 Broadland
2 Broadland 008 Broadland
3 Norwich 002 Norwich
4 North Norfolk 012 North Norfolk
5 Norwich 013 Norwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Colk

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Colk

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Colk, 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 Colk surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Colk 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, Colk 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

Colk is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Colk falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Colk is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

1881 census detail

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Colk families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Colk 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. Norfolk leads with 41 Colks recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.40x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 41 43.40x
Yorkshire 19 3.12x
Middlesex 3 0.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 13 Colks recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.08x.

Place Total Index
Sheffield 13 67.08x
Irstead 7 23333.33x
Little Plumstead 7 10000.00x
Aylsham 5 892.86x
Brightside Bierlow 5 41.88x
Neatishead 5 4166.67x
Great Yarmouth 3 38.36x
Norwich St Stephen 3 344.83x
Haveringland 2 10000.00x
Paddington London 2 8.85x
Blofield 1 416.67x
Cawston 1 434.78x
East Dereham 1 84.03x
Kensington London 1 2.93x
Leeds 1 2.91x
Methwold 1 322.58x
North Walsham 1 147.06x
Southrepps 1 555.56x
Terrington St Clement 1 232.56x
Whitwell 1 1111.11x
Witton In Blofield 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 6
Ann 2
Eliza 2
Emma 2
Margrette 2
Ada 1
Anna 1
Charlotte 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizh.M. 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Georgiana 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Nellie 1
Rachael 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1
S. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 6
William 5
Robert 3
Samuel 3
James 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
Harry 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Joshua 1
M.P. 1
Philip 1
Thos. 1

Top occupations

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 Colk households.

FAQ

Colk surname: questions and answers

How common was the Colk surname in 1881?

In 1881, 63 people were recorded with the Colk surname. That placed it at #24,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Colk surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 201 in 2016. That gives Colk a modern rank of #19,525.

What does the Colk map show?

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