NameCensus.

UK surname

Docker

A surname potentially deriving from an occupational name for a docker or dock worker.

In the 1881 census there were 586 people recorded with the Docker surname, ranking it #5,952 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 653, ranked #8,152, down from #5,952 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kings Norton, London parishes and Dalton-in-Furness. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coventry, Bromsgrove and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Docker is 848 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.4%.

1881 census count

586

Ranked #5,952

Modern count

653

2016, ranked #8,152

Peak year

1911

848 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Docker had 586 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,952 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 653 in 2016, ranked #8,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 848 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Docker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Docker surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Docker 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 383 #6,247
1861 historical 408 #6,298
1881 historical 586 #5,952
1891 historical 686 #5,710
1901 historical 738 #6,008
1911 historical 848 #5,237
1997 modern 731 #7,000
1998 modern 757 #7,041
1999 modern 756 #7,105
2000 modern 721 #7,339
2001 modern 699 #7,375
2002 modern 717 #7,369
2003 modern 707 #7,322
2004 modern 687 #7,509
2005 modern 660 #7,688
2006 modern 666 #7,659
2007 modern 661 #7,764
2008 modern 673 #7,701
2009 modern 686 #7,759
2010 modern 699 #7,787
2011 modern 679 #7,873
2012 modern 653 #8,049
2013 modern 651 #8,213
2014 modern 647 #8,289
2015 modern 641 #8,287
2016 modern 653 #8,152

Geography

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Where Dockers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kings Norton, London parishes, Dalton-in-Furness and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Coventry, Bromsgrove, Birmingham and Sandwell. 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 Kings Norton Worcestershire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire
4 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Coventry 010 Coventry
2 Bromsgrove 004 Bromsgrove
3 Birmingham 005 Birmingham
4 Sandwell 022 Sandwell
5 Coventry 016 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Docker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Docker

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Docker 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

Docker 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

Docker falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Docker

The surname Docker is of English origin, first appearing in the late 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "docce," meaning a water-dock or a plant found in abundance along the edges of rivers and streams. The earliest known bearers of the name were likely those who lived near such bodies of water.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners in England, the name is listed as "de la Docke," indicating one who lived near a dock or water-dock. By the 14th century, the spelling had evolved to "Docker" and "Doker," as seen in the Poll Tax Returns of 1379 for Yorkshire.

The Dockers were particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, such as Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Northumberland. This is evidenced by the appearance of the name in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls for Northumberland in 1336, where one William Docker is listed.

In the 16th century, the name Docker can be found in the parish records of Kirkby Malham in Yorkshire, with the baptism of John Docker in 1567. Another notable bearer of the name was Thomas Docker (1556-1617), a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of York.

The Docker surname is also associated with the village of Docker, located in the East Riding of Yorkshire. This place-name is believed to have influenced the surname's spelling and pronunciation.

Other notable individuals with the Docker surname include:

1. John Docker (1752-1832), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. 2. William Docker (1789-1865), an English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including St. Katharine's Church. 3. Mary Docker (1850-1932), a British philanthropist and social reformer, known for her work in improving the living conditions of the poor in London's East End. 4. Thomas Docker (1878-1952), an Australian politician who served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives for the Labor Party. 5. Edward Docker (1892-1976), a British businessman and shipowner, who founded the Docker Group, a shipping and transportation company.

While the name Docker may have evolved from humble beginnings, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, military personnel, architects, politicians, and philanthropists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Docker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Docker 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. Warwickshire leads with 252 Dockers recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.42x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 252 17.42x
Lancashire 76 1.12x
Middlesex 45 0.78x
Westmorland 39 30.94x
Surrey 30 1.07x
Worcestershire 30 4.01x
Staffordshire 18 0.93x
Cheshire 17 1.34x
Cumberland 17 3.44x
Kent 10 0.51x
Renfrewshire 9 2.02x
Devon 7 0.59x
Yorkshire 7 0.12x
Herefordshire 6 2.55x
Derbyshire 5 0.56x
Nottinghamshire 5 0.65x
Dorset 3 0.80x
Essex 2 0.18x
Gloucestershire 2 0.18x
Hertfordshire 2 0.51x
Brecknockshire 1 0.87x
Hampshire 1 0.09x
Morayshire 1 1.12x
Northumberland 1 0.12x
Royal Navy 1 1.46x
Shropshire 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 110 Dockers recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.82x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 110 22.82x
Aston 64 16.07x
Dalton In Furness 27 102.78x
Newington 22 10.38x
Coventry St Michael 21 45.19x
Welland 13 755.81x
Blackburn 10 5.52x
Coventry Holy Trinity 10 23.15x
Kings Norton 10 14.89x
East Greenock 9 21.44x
Wootton Wawen 9 197.37x
Newby 8 1666.67x
Tottenham 8 8.76x
Allesley 7 368.42x
Aspatria 7 147.37x
Gosforth 7 290.46x
Heston 7 36.75x
Hyde 7 18.74x
Prestwich 7 41.23x
St Pancras London 7 1.52x
Gillingham 6 14.87x
Great Torrington 6 88.63x
Newton In Ashton Under 6 48.04x
Solihull 6 57.69x
Tanworth 6 157.07x
West Derby 6 3.01x
Bampton 5 471.70x
Burton 5 375.94x
Camberwell 5 1.36x
Harborne 5 8.06x
Heap 5 13.85x
Holmer 5 117.92x
Northfield 5 35.19x
Nottingham St Mary 5 2.50x
Scalthwaiterigg 5 781.25x
St Marylebone London 5 1.63x
Barrow In Furness 4 4.32x
Crosthwaite Lyth 4 263.16x
Edgbaston 4 8.92x
Exhall 4 182.65x
Hampstead London 4 4.48x
Kirkby Lonsdale 4 117.30x
Lancaster 4 9.88x
St George Hanover Square 4 3.96x
St George In East London 4 7.41x
Walton On Hill 4 10.85x
Wolverhampton 4 2.69x
Barston 3 476.19x
Beckenham 3 11.73x
Brightside Bierlow 3 2.69x
Doncaster 3 7.22x
Hampton In Arden 3 236.22x
Handsworth 3 6.29x
Melcombe Regis 3 19.23x
Stainton 3 389.61x
Walsall Foreign 3 3.00x
Clitheroe 2 9.99x
Derby St Werburgh 2 3.86x
Hemel Hempstead 2 11.23x
Lambeth 2 0.40x
Ratcliffe London 2 6.31x
Stapenhill 2 14.96x
Stockport 2 3.07x
Thaxted 2 53.19x
Wednesbury 2 4.13x
Witherslack 2 186.92x
Bristol St Peter 1 24.88x
Everton 1 0.46x
Hereford St John 1 37.31x
Kirkdale 1 0.87x
Littleham 1 11.45x
Liverpool 1 0.24x
Longbenton 1 2.77x
Low Bolton 1 79.37x
Milverton 1 23.58x
Sale 1 6.44x
Shoreditch London 1 0.40x
Ulpha 1 172.41x
Undermilbeck 1 24.04x
Whitehaven 1 3.80x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Elizabeth 18
Eliza 16
Sarah 15
Ann 10
Ellen 10
Jane 10
Margaret 8
Ada 7
Alice 7
Annie 7
Emily 6
Agnes 5
Emma 5
Harriet 5
Martha 5
Charlotte 4
Edith 4
Florence 4
Louisa 4
Rosa 4
Ethel 3
Frances 3
Hannah 3
Rebecca 3
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Eleanor 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Maria 2
May 2
Myra 2
Selina 2
Adela 1
Bessey 1
Bilhah 1
Elenor 1
Ester 1
Esther 1
Idah 1
Jemina 1
Jessie 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
L. 1
L.M. 1
Laura 1
Treber 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 42
John 29
Thomas 27
George 26
James 24
Edward 15
Henry 14
Charles 10
Arthur 9
Frederick 9
Joseph 8
Robert 8
Alfred 6
Walter 5
Edwin 4
Richard 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Benjamin 3
Ernest 3
Harry 3
Percy 3
Anthony 2
Edmund 2
Fred 2
Leonard 2
Lewis 2
Ludford 2
Archibald 1
C. 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Dennis 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Jean 1
Ladford 1
Leslie 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Oliver 1
Patrick 1
Ralph 1
Raman 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Docker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Docker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 586 people were recorded with the Docker surname. That placed it at #5,952 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Docker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 653 in 2016. That gives Docker a modern rank of #8,152.

What does the Docker surname mean?

A surname potentially deriving from an occupational name for a docker or dock worker.

What does the Docker map show?

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