NameCensus.

UK surname

Fakes

A surname derived from the word "fake," possibly referring to someone who engaged in deceptive practices or forgery.

In the 1881 census there were 95 people recorded with the Fakes surname, ranking it #20,349 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 93, ranked #31,945, down from #20,349 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bardwell, Rochdale and Walsham-le-Willows. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Great Yarmouth, Test Valley and St Albans.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fakes is 147 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.1%.

1881 census count

95

Ranked #20,349

Modern count

93

2016, ranked #31,945

Peak year

1911

147 bearers

Map years

5

1891 to 2006

Key insights

  • Fakes had 95 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,349 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 93 in 2016, ranked #31,945.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 147 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Fakes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fakes surname density by area, 2006 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fakes 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 76 #20,127
1861 historical 54 #27,127
1881 historical 95 #20,349
1891 historical 119 #21,415
1901 historical 117 #20,830
1911 historical 147 #18,104
1997 modern 127 #23,352
1998 modern 125 #24,198
1999 modern 121 #24,855
2000 modern 128 #24,015
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 127 #24,267
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 115 #25,740
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 95 #29,493
2008 modern 94 #29,950
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 96 #30,854
2011 modern 93 #31,169
2012 modern 87 #32,180
2013 modern 97 #31,239
2014 modern 96 #31,667
2015 modern 95 #31,749
2016 modern 93 #31,945

Geography

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Where Fakes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bardwell, Rochdale, Walsham-le-Willows, London parishes and St James. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Great Yarmouth, Test Valley, St Albans and Hackney. 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 Bardwell Suffolk
2 Rochdale Lancashire
3 Walsham-le-Willows Suffolk
4 London parishes London 1
5 St James Suffolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Great Yarmouth 002 Great Yarmouth
2 Test Valley 008 Test Valley
3 St Albans 020 St Albans
4 Test Valley 005 Test Valley
5 Hackney 002 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fakes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fakes

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

Fakes is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Fakes falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Fakes

The surname "FAKES" is believed to have originated in Germany, with its roots dating back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the German word "faxe," which means "joke" or "prank." This suggests that the name may have been given as a nickname to someone with a humorous or mischievous personality.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the records of the town of Wittenberg, where a certain Johannes Fakes was listed as a resident in 1547. This particular spelling of the name is relatively rare, with more common variations including "Faxe" and "Fakse."

In the 17th century, the name appeared in various documents across Germany, including birth and marriage records. Notable bearers of the name during this period include Johann Faxe (1603-1678), a Lutheran theologian from Saxony, and Hans Faxe (1624-1701), a merchant from Hamburg.

As German immigrants began to settle in other parts of Europe and the Americas, the name "FAKES" spread to new regions. In England, for instance, a family by the name of Fakes can be traced back to the early 18th century, with their origins linked to the town of Fakes-upon-Avon in Warwickshire.

Another notable figure bearing this surname was Friedrich Fakes (1789-1863), a German writer and philosopher who was influential in the early Romantic movement. His works explored themes of individualism and the harmony between nature and humanity.

In the 19th century, the name "FAKES" appeared in various parts of the United States, particularly in areas with significant German immigrant populations. One such individual was Wilhelm Fakes (1843-1912), a farmer from Pennsylvania who was known for his innovative agricultural techniques.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Margarethe Fakes (1901-1985), a German artist whose paintings and sculptures were heavily influenced by the Expressionist movement. Her works often depicted scenes of everyday life and were characterized by bold colors and distorted forms.

Overall, the surname "FAKES" has a rich history that spans several centuries and countries, reflecting the diverse journeys and accomplishments of those who have borne this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fakes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fakes 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. Suffolk leads with 50 Fakes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 44.30x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 50 44.30x
Middlesex 9 0.97x
Norfolk 8 5.61x
Surrey 7 1.55x
Cumberland 6 7.52x
Yorkshire 5 0.54x
Lancashire 3 0.27x
Hampshire 2 1.05x
Kent 2 0.63x
Lincolnshire 2 1.35x
Worcestershire 1 0.83x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bury St Edmunds St James in Suffolk leads with 17 Fakes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 564.78x.

Place Total Index
Bury St Edmunds St James 17 564.78x
Walsham Le Willows 11 2894.74x
Battersea 7 20.53x
St Mary Within 6 600.00x
Clerkenwell London 5 22.86x
Hemsby 5 2380.95x
Batley 4 45.82x
Beyton 4 3636.36x
Great Barton 4 1538.46x
Great Livermere 4 4444.44x
Little Livermere 4 8000.00x
Castleton 3 27.32x
Wattisfield 3 2000.00x
Burwell 2 4000.00x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 2 94.34x
Christchurch 2 48.54x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 2 46.73x
Otford 2 454.55x
Dersingham 1 312.50x
Dudley 1 6.80x
Elland Cum Greetland 1 24.15x
Hampstead London 1 6.93x
Kensington London 1 1.94x
Pakenham 1 333.33x
St George Hanover Square 1 6.12x
St Marylebone London 1 2.02x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 8
Emma 5
Ellen 4
Sarah 4
Edith 3
Ann 2
Annie 2
Jane 2
Martha 2
Abigail 1
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Bessa 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Dinah 1
Ethel 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Jessie 1
Lucy 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Phoebe 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Fakes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fakes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 95 people were recorded with the Fakes surname. That placed it at #20,349 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fakes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 93 in 2016. That gives Fakes a modern rank of #31,945.

What does the Fakes surname mean?

A surname derived from the word "fake," possibly referring to someone who engaged in deceptive practices or forgery.

What does the Fakes map show?

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