NameCensus.

UK surname

Deak

A surname originating from Hungary, derived from a Slavic word meaning "elder" or "clergyman".

In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Deak surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 127, ranked #26,566, up from #30,464 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Neath Port Talbot, Westminster and Bournemouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Deak is 131 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 477.3%.

1881 census count

22

Ranked #30,464

Modern count

127

2016, ranked #26,566

Peak year

2015

131 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Deak had 22 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,464 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016, ranked #26,566.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 50 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Deak surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Deak surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Deak 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 50 #27,636
1881 historical 22 #30,464
1891 historical 23 #32,389
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 28 #34,904
1998 modern 32 #34,633
1999 modern 32 #34,717
2000 modern 26 #35,295
2001 modern 27 #35,041
2002 modern 29 #35,030
2003 modern 34 #34,681
2004 modern 43 #34,149
2005 modern 48 #33,932
2006 modern 48 #34,245
2007 modern 60 #33,539
2008 modern 73 #32,555
2009 modern 69 #33,257
2010 modern 70 #33,480
2011 modern 74 #33,151
2012 modern 96 #30,949
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 121 #27,503
2015 modern 131 #25,979
2016 modern 127 #26,566

Geography

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Where Deaks 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 Neath Port Talbot, Westminster, Bournemouth and Swindon. 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 Neath Port Talbot 016 Neath Port Talbot
2 Neath Port Talbot 017 Neath Port Talbot
3 Westminster 012 Westminster
4 Bournemouth 018 Bournemouth
5 Swindon 023 Swindon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Deak

These lists show first names that appear often with the Deak 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 Deak

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Deak surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Deak 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Deak 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

Deak 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

Deak 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 Deak 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Deak

The surname DEAK is of Hungarian origin, with its roots dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to be derived from the Hungarian word "deák," which initially referred to a scholar or a clerk who could read and write, particularly in Latin.

In medieval times, the ability to read and write was a rare skill, and those who possessed it were highly respected. The term "deák" was used as a title of honor, recognizing an individual's literacy and scholarly pursuits. Over time, it evolved into a surname, indicating that an ancestor held this esteemed position or was associated with the clergy or educational institutions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname DEAK can be found in the 16th-century Hungarian chronicles, where it is mentioned in relation to various scholars and clergymen. These early references often appear in church records and official documents, reflecting the prominence of individuals bearing this surname in ecclesiastical and scholarly circles.

One notable figure with the surname DEAK was Ferenc Deák (1803-1876), a Hungarian statesman and political leader who played a pivotal role in the 1867 Austro-Hungarian Compromise. He was widely respected for his efforts in promoting Hungarian autonomy within the Austrian Empire and is considered a national hero in Hungary.

Another prominent individual was Judit Déak (1932-2020), an American historian and professor who specialized in Hungarian history and the Holocaust. She authored several books on these subjects, including "Essays on Hitler's Europe" and "Surviving the Holocaust in Hungary," shedding light on the experiences of Hungarian Jews during World War II.

In the realm of literature, the name DEAK is associated with the Hungarian writer and journalist, Sámuel Deák (1750-1824), who was a prominent figure in the Hungarian Enlightenment movement. His works, including plays and political writings, contributed significantly to the cultural and intellectual discourse of his time.

The surname DEAK can also be found in other historical records, such as land registries and census documents, indicating the presence of families with this surname across various regions of Hungary throughout the centuries.

It is worth noting that variations in spelling, such as Deak, Deák, and Deak, may have occurred due to regional dialects, transliterations, or personal preferences, but they all share the same linguistic and cultural origins within the Hungarian context.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Deak families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Deak 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. Lanarkshire leads with 9 Deaks recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.98x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 9 12.98x
Renfrewshire 5 30.08x
Lancashire 4 1.57x
Angus 1 5.03x
Cheshire 1 2.11x
Kent 1 1.37x
Yorkshire 1 0.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 9 Deaks recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.48x.

Place Total Index
Govan 9 52.48x
Port Glasgow 5 625.00x
Manchester 4 34.97x
Chester St Oswald 1 116.28x
Dundee 1 13.48x
Linthwaite 1 222.22x
Milton In Milton 1 322.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Catherine 2
Anne 1
Annie 1
Elizabeth 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 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 Deak households.

FAQ

Deak surname: questions and answers

How common was the Deak surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Deak surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Deak surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016. That gives Deak a modern rank of #26,566.

What does the Deak surname mean?

A surname originating from Hungary, derived from a Slavic word meaning "elder" or "clergyman".

What does the Deak map show?

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