NameCensus.

UK surname

Ekins

A variant of the surname Atkins meaning "son of little Adam".

In the 1881 census there were 510 people recorded with the Ekins surname, ranking it #6,678 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 499, ranked #9,997, down from #6,678 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wellingborough, St Leonard Shoreditch and Risley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Northamptonshire, Darnley East and Waverley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ekins is 620 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.2%.

1881 census count

510

Ranked #6,678

Modern count

499

2016, ranked #9,997

Peak year

1911

620 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ekins had 510 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,678 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 499 in 2016, ranked #9,997.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 620 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Ekins surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ekins surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ekins 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 463 #5,359
1861 historical 381 #6,712
1881 historical 510 #6,678
1891 historical 516 #7,234
1901 historical 617 #6,917
1911 historical 620 #6,668
1997 modern 498 #9,324
1998 modern 514 #9,383
1999 modern 508 #9,535
2000 modern 501 #9,619
2001 modern 490 #9,619
2002 modern 488 #9,802
2003 modern 487 #9,677
2004 modern 480 #9,793
2005 modern 489 #9,594
2006 modern 478 #9,806
2007 modern 468 #10,039
2008 modern 474 #10,040
2009 modern 487 #10,059
2010 modern 502 #10,029
2011 modern 498 #9,982
2012 modern 481 #10,145
2013 modern 500 #10,023
2014 modern 511 #9,927
2015 modern 504 #9,944
2016 modern 499 #9,997

Geography

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Where Ekins' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wellingborough, St Leonard Shoreditch, Risley, London parishes and St Neots. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Northamptonshire, Darnley East, Waverley and Huntingdonshire. 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 Wellingborough Northamptonshire
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 Risley Bedfordshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Neots Huntingdonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Northamptonshire 009 East Northamptonshire
2 East Northamptonshire 008 East Northamptonshire
3 Darnley East Glasgow City
4 Waverley 005 Waverley
5 Huntingdonshire 017 Huntingdonshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ekins

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ekins

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Ekins surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Ekins household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Ekins is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ekins is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ekins falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ekins 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Ekins

The surname Ekins has its origins in England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "eken," meaning oak or oak tree, suggesting that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a prominent oak tree or in an area with a significant number of oak trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ekins can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated 1273, where it appears as "Ekeyn." This early spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time.

In the 14th century, the name Ekins appeared in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1332, where it was written as "Ekyn." This indicates that the name was present in different regions of England during this period.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Ekins. However, it does mention place names that may have contributed to the development of the surname, such as "Acton" (Oak Town) and "Okenhill" (Oak Hill).

One notable individual bearing the surname Ekins was Richard Ekins (1530-1590), an English printer and bookseller active in the 16th century. He is known for printing works by notable authors of the time, including John Foxe's "Book of Martyrs."

Another prominent figure was Nicholas Ekins (1635-1705), an English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of Ardfert and Aghadoe in Ireland. He published several works, including a translation of the Book of Common Prayer into the Irish language.

In the 18th century, John Ekins (1720-1789) gained recognition as a British naval officer and colonial administrator. He served as the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia from 1785 to 1789.

Moving into the 19th century, James Ekins (1800-1877) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the church of St. John the Evangelist in Fitzroy Square.

Lastly, Charles Ekins (1868-1931) was a British painter and illustrator known for his landscapes and portraiture. He exhibited his works at the Royal Academy and other prestigious venues in the early 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ekins families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ekins 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. Northamptonshire leads with 98 Ekins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.98x.

County Total Index
Northamptonshire 98 20.98x
Huntingdonshire 91 92.30x
Middlesex 89 1.79x
Bedfordshire 63 24.50x
Surrey 22 0.91x
Warwickshire 19 1.52x
Berkshire 14 3.76x
Kent 14 0.83x
Hertfordshire 10 2.92x
Cambridgeshire 9 2.86x
Derbyshire 7 0.90x
Lincolnshire 7 0.88x
Devon 6 0.58x
Norfolk 6 0.79x
Essex 5 0.51x
Suffolk 5 0.83x
Yorkshire 5 0.10x
Cheshire 4 0.36x
Lancashire 4 0.07x
Midlothian 4 0.60x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.60x
Worcestershire 4 0.62x
Gloucestershire 3 0.31x
Northumberland 3 0.41x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.67x
Hampshire 2 0.20x
Leicestershire 2 0.36x
Sussex 2 0.24x
Denbighshire 1 0.53x
Royal Navy 1 1.69x
Rutland 1 2.74x
Staffordshire 1 0.06x
Wiltshire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 26 Ekins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.40x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 26 5.40x
Rushden 19 304.00x
Great Staughton 18 942.41x
Raunds 18 378.15x
St Neots 18 335.82x
Shoreditch London 16 7.43x
Wellingborough 16 68.14x
Riseley 15 920.25x
Warboys 15 526.32x
Northampton St Peter 14 492.96x
Roxton 13 1382.98x
Bedford St Paul 10 56.72x
Hackney London 10 3.59x
Leamington Priors 10 32.46x
Gillingham 8 22.90x
Rugby 8 47.23x
Woking 8 54.87x
Fulham London 7 9.72x
Warfield 7 207.10x
Abbots Ripton 6 895.52x
Blunham 6 344.83x
Brixworth 6 300.00x
Chelveston Cum Caldecott 6 833.33x
Derby St Werburgh 6 13.37x
Yeldon 6 1463.41x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.32x
Bovey Tracey 5 138.12x
Clewer 5 32.74x
Hammersmith London 5 4.09x
Higham Ferrers 5 196.85x
Huntingdon St John 5 174.83x
Little Stukeley 5 1000.00x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 5.00x
Spalding 5 31.73x
Wisbech St Peter 5 31.71x
Bedford St Peter 4 59.88x
Claines 4 22.48x
Dovercourt 4 115.94x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 1.49x
Emneth 4 235.29x
Graffham 4 689.66x
Hertford St Andrew 4 94.56x
Kimbolton 4 192.31x
Lambeth 4 0.92x
Lower Bebington 4 61.44x
Manningham 4 6.60x
Nottingham St Mary 4 2.31x
Sharnbrook 4 281.69x
Somersham 4 167.36x
St Albans 4 57.06x
St Marylebone London 4 1.51x
St Pancras London 4 1.00x
Woodhurst 4 714.29x
Biggleswade 3 35.63x
Brampton 3 146.34x
Bromley London 3 2.75x
Canterbury St Paul 3 98.68x
Chatteris 3 37.41x
Elswick 3 5.09x
Gorleston 3 19.53x
Hargrave 3 491.80x
Paddington London 3 1.64x
Pirbright 3 243.90x
Welford 3 189.87x
Buckden 2 112.99x
Downham Market 2 38.17x
Finedon 2 48.90x
Harpurhey 2 24.45x
Kensington London 2 0.72x
Leicester St Margaret 2 1.49x
Liverpool 2 0.56x
New Windsor 2 15.96x
Newport Pagnell 2 31.85x
Northampton All Sts 2 12.62x
Northampton St Sepulchre 2 8.42x
Prestbury 2 82.99x
Wortham 2 123.46x
Cheltenham 1 1.33x
Littleham 1 13.23x
Sawtry All Sts 1 86.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 33
George 27
Thomas 26
John 24
Charles 11
Arthur 9
Henry 8
Edward 7
Samuel 7
James 6
Robert 6
Joseph 5
Alfred 4
Harry 4
Walter 4
Ernest 3
Jabez 3
Lewis 3
Albert 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Martin 2
Wm. 2
David 1
Edmond 1
Edwd.Heny. 1
Edwin 1
Ekin 1
Fosberry 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Frederick 1
Harold 1
Harris 1
Leonard 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Maximillian 1
Nevill 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Roger 1
Solomon 1
Sydney 1
Tom 1
W.J. 1

FAQ

Ekins surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ekins surname in 1881?

In 1881, 510 people were recorded with the Ekins surname. That placed it at #6,678 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ekins surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 499 in 2016. That gives Ekins a modern rank of #9,997.

What does the Ekins surname mean?

A variant of the surname Atkins meaning "son of little Adam".

What does the Ekins map show?

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