NameCensus.

UK surname

Frake

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "fraken" meaning "to move quickly".

In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Frake surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 177, ranked #21,230, up from #24,992 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Loughborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southampton, Harborough and Leicester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Frake is 199 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 190.2%.

1881 census count

61

Ranked #24,992

Modern count

177

2016, ranked #21,230

Peak year

2002

199 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Frake had 61 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,992 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016, ranked #21,230.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 115 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Frake surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Frake surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Frake 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 43 #25,518
1861 historical 95 #21,768
1881 historical 61 #24,992
1891 historical 70 #28,073
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 115 #20,951
1997 modern 194 #17,978
1998 modern 198 #18,224
1999 modern 196 #18,464
2000 modern 190 #18,806
2001 modern 189 #18,590
2002 modern 199 #18,350
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 175 #19,805
2005 modern 162 #20,716
2006 modern 159 #21,148
2007 modern 159 #21,387
2008 modern 160 #21,521
2009 modern 172 #20,950
2010 modern 183 #20,586
2011 modern 181 #20,579
2012 modern 182 #20,440
2013 modern 186 #20,502
2014 modern 186 #20,664
2015 modern 178 #21,149
2016 modern 177 #21,230

Geography

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Where Frakes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Loughborough, Southampton St Mary and Donington, Castle. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Southampton, Harborough, Leicester, North Somerset and South Kesteven. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Loughborough Leicestershire
4 Southampton St Mary Hampshire
5 Donington, Castle Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Southampton 011 Southampton
2 Harborough 010 Harborough
3 Leicester 019 Leicester
4 North Somerset 007 North Somerset
5 South Kesteven 016 South Kesteven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Frake

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Frake

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Frake surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Frake household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Frake 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

Frake 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

Frake falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Frake

The surname FRAKE is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated as a topographic surname, referring to a person who lived near a freckle or a particular type of land formation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, where a person named Robert le Frake is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century in the Yorkshire region of England.

The name FRAKE is thought to be derived from the Old English word "frec," which means "bold" or "brave." It is possible that the name was initially given as a descriptive nickname to an individual with a bold or courageous character.

In the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, there is a reference to a William Frake from Cambridgeshire. This indicates that the name had spread to other parts of England by the late 13th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname FRAKE. One such person was John Frake, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in Dorset during the 16th century. He was born around 1520 and played a significant role in the local economy and community affairs.

Another notable FRAKE was Thomas Frake, a member of the English gentry who lived in Gloucestershire during the 17th century. He was born in 1632 and served as a Justice of the Peace, reflecting the family's social standing and influence in the region.

In the 18th century, a man named William Frake gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker in London. He was born in 1730 and his timepieces were highly regarded for their craftsmanship and accuracy.

The name FRAKE has also been associated with literary figures, such as Richard Frake, an English poet who lived in the late 18th century. He was born in 1765 and published several volumes of poetry, contributing to the literary culture of his time.

Finally, one cannot overlook the contributions of Elizabeth Frake, a prominent activist and advocate for women's rights in the late 19th century. Born in 1845, she was a vocal supporter of the suffrage movement and played a crucial role in advancing the cause of gender equality.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Frake families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Frake 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 16 Frakes recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.65x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 16 2.65x
Hampshire 7 5.65x
Leicestershire 7 10.44x
Sussex 6 5.88x
Kent 5 2.42x
Surrey 5 1.70x
Staffordshire 4 1.96x
Lincolnshire 3 3.10x
Worcestershire 3 3.80x
Derbyshire 2 2.11x
Durham 2 1.11x
Berkshire 1 2.20x
Royal Navy 1 13.87x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loughborough in Leicestershire leads with 7 Frakes recorded in 1881 and an index of 230.26x.

Place Total Index
Loughborough 7 230.26x
Southampton St Mary 7 89.86x
Bermondsey 5 27.78x
Compton 5 8333.33x
St Pancras London 5 10.27x
Woolwich 5 65.62x
Bethnal Green London 4 15.23x
Kingswinford 4 53.98x
Mile End Old Town London 4 31.08x
Bracebridge 3 681.82x
Bromley London 3 22.56x
Kidderminster Borough 3 64.94x
Bishopwearmouth 2 12.95x
Litchurch 2 52.49x
Reading St Mary 1 27.47x
Royal Navy 1 16.23x
Up Marden 1 1428.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 3
Elizabeth 3
Sarah 3
Annie 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Lydia 2
Margaret 2
Ann 1
Bertha 1
Clara 1
Fanny 1
Hannah 1
Lucretia 1
Lucy 1
Retta 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 6
Alfred 3
John 3
George 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Josiah 1
Leonard 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Thomas 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 Frake households.

FAQ

Frake surname: questions and answers

How common was the Frake surname in 1881?

In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Frake surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Frake surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016. That gives Frake a modern rank of #21,230.

What does the Frake surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "fraken" meaning "to move quickly".

What does the Frake map show?

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