NameCensus.

UK surname

Ficken

A German surname derived from the vulgar verb meaning "to have sexual intercourse".

In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Ficken surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 89, ranked #32,297, down from #22,617 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St George in the East, St Mary Whitechapel and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Kesteven, Doncaster and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ficken is 149 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15.6%.

1881 census count

77

Ranked #22,617

Modern count

89

2016, ranked #32,297

Peak year

1911

149 bearers

Map years

4

1901 to 2006

Key insights

  • Ficken had 77 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,617 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 89 in 2016, ranked #32,297.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 149 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ficken surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ficken surname density by area, 2006 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ficken 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 45 #25,168
1861 historical 43 #28,562
1881 historical 77 #22,617
1891 historical 84 #26,229
1901 historical 115 #21,050
1911 historical 149 #17,937
1997 modern 114 #24,967
1998 modern 117 #25,190
1999 modern 120 #24,960
2000 modern 119 #25,072
2001 modern 114 #25,344
2002 modern 120 #25,110
2003 modern 113 #25,797
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 113 #25,974
2006 modern 104 #27,646
2007 modern 106 #27,722
2008 modern 106 #28,016
2009 modern 104 #28,982
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 104 #29,424
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 97 #31,239
2014 modern 98 #31,370
2015 modern 90 #32,245
2016 modern 89 #32,297

Geography

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Where Fickens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St George in the East, St Mary Whitechapel, London parishes, St Dunstan Stepney and St Leonard Bromley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Kesteven, Doncaster, East Devon, Bromley and Newham. 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 St George in the East London (East Districts)
2 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
5 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Kesteven 014 South Kesteven
2 Doncaster 024 Doncaster
3 East Devon 016 East Devon
4 Bromley 007 Bromley
5 Newham 009 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ficken

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ficken

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Ficken is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Ficken 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

Ficken 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 Ficken 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 Ficken, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ficken

The surname FICKEN has its origins in Germany, with records dating back to the late 15th century. The name is derived from the German verb "ficken," which means to copulate or have sexual intercourse. This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname or a derogatory term for someone involved in illicit or promiscuous activities.

One of the earliest documented instances of the FICKEN surname can be found in the Kirchenbücher (church records) of the town of Weimar in Thuringia, Germany. In 1487, a man named Hans FICKEN was recorded as a resident of the town. It is believed that this surname may have originated as a derogatory nickname given to someone who engaged in unsavory behavior or had a reputation for being overly promiscuous.

The FICKEN name also appears in various medieval German manuscripts and legal documents from the 16th and 17th centuries. For example, in 1568, a man named Johann FICKEN was listed as a witness in a legal proceeding in the city of Nuremberg. Additionally, a document from 1612 in the town of Bamberg mentions a certain Peter FICKEN as a landowner.

In the 18th century, the FICKEN surname began to spread more widely across German-speaking regions. Notable individuals with this surname include Johann Friedrich FICKEN (1714-1787), a renowned clockmaker from Dresden, and Karl Wilhelm FICKEN (1767-1842), a respected theologian and author from Göttingen.

Other historical figures bearing the FICKEN name include:

1. Heinrich FICKEN (1802-1879), a German architect known for designing several prominent buildings in Berlin. 2. Elise FICKEN (1832-1905), a acclaimed opera singer from Hamburg who performed throughout Europe. 3. Wilhelm FICKEN (1860-1932), a German politician and member of the Reichstag (parliament) during the late 19th century. 4. Friederike FICKEN (1876-1944), a pioneering female scientist and one of the first women to earn a doctorate in chemistry in Germany. 5. Franz FICKEN (1891-1971), a German military officer who served in both World Wars and received the Iron Cross for his service.

While the FICKEN surname may have originated from a derogatory term, it has been borne by many accomplished individuals throughout history, transcending its initial connotations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ficken families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ficken 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. Middlesex leads with 48 Fickens recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.39x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 48 6.39x
Northamptonshire 8 11.33x
Surrey 8 2.19x
Essex 5 3.37x
Lanarkshire 3 1.24x
Somerset 2 1.65x
Kent 1 0.39x
Lancashire 1 0.11x
Yorkshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George In East London in Middlesex leads with 12 Fickens recorded in 1881 and an index of 169.97x.

Place Total Index
St George In East London 12 169.97x
Bromley London 11 66.59x
Whitechapel London 11 148.65x
Kettering 8 279.72x
Clapham 6 63.90x
West Ham 5 15.28x
Limehouse London 4 48.48x
Govan 3 4.99x
Mile End Old Town London 3 18.76x
Clevedon 2 158.73x
Islington London 2 2.75x
Newington 2 7.21x
Shadwell London 2 95.24x
St Botolph Aldgate London 2 129.03x
Cliffe 1 172.41x
Liverpool 1 1.85x
Mile End New Town London 1 67.57x
Newby In Stokesley 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Jane 3
Martha 2
Rebecca 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Annie 1
Betsey 1
Charlotte 1
E. 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Johanna 1
Lily 1
Margaret 1
Mildred 1
R. 1
Sarah 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 12
Henry 8
James 4
William 4
Edward 2
Francis 2
A. 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Ambrose 1
Arthur 1
E. 1
Frank 1
Fredk. 1
Herman 1
Richard 1

FAQ

Ficken surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ficken surname in 1881?

In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Ficken surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ficken surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 89 in 2016. That gives Ficken a modern rank of #32,297.

What does the Ficken surname mean?

A German surname derived from the vulgar verb meaning "to have sexual intercourse".

What does the Ficken map show?

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