NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilkes

A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Gilke, derived from the Old Norse words gil meaning "ravine" and kelda meaning "spring".

In the 1881 census there were 427 people recorded with the Gilkes surname, ranking it #7,608 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 975, ranked #5,924, up from #7,608 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Banbury and Hardingstone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cherwell and Stratford-on-Avon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilkes is 1,041 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 128.3%.

1881 census count

427

Ranked #7,608

Modern count

975

2016, ranked #5,924

Peak year

2002

1,041 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gilkes had 427 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,608 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 975 in 2016, ranked #5,924.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 788 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gilkes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gilkes surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gilkes 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 329 #7,079
1861 historical 345 #7,398
1881 historical 427 #7,608
1891 historical 536 #7,013
1901 historical 637 #6,748
1911 historical 788 #5,532
1997 modern 910 #5,924
1998 modern 1,040 #5,487
1999 modern 1,034 #5,562
2000 modern 1,019 #5,594
2001 modern 1,009 #5,544
2002 modern 1,041 #5,504
2003 modern 1,017 #5,516
2004 modern 996 #5,619
2005 modern 995 #5,575
2006 modern 997 #5,581
2007 modern 983 #5,686
2008 modern 1,003 #5,639
2009 modern 1,013 #5,705
2010 modern 1,030 #5,735
2011 modern 1,013 #5,756
2012 modern 989 #5,791
2013 modern 1,008 #5,779
2014 modern 990 #5,904
2015 modern 977 #5,919
2016 modern 975 #5,924

Geography

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Where Gilkes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Banbury, Hardingstone and Bugbrooke. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cherwell and Stratford-on-Avon. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Banbury Oxfordshire
4 Hardingstone Northamptonshire
5 Bugbrooke Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cherwell 004 Cherwell
2 Cherwell 002 Cherwell
3 Cherwell 005 Cherwell
4 Cherwell 006 Cherwell
5 Stratford-on-Avon 015 Stratford-on-Avon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gilkes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gilkes

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

Gilkes is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Gilkes

The surname Gilkes originated in England, derived from the Old English personal name Gylca or Gilca. It is believed to have emerged around the 11th century during the Norman conquest of England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gilkes can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and wealth in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Gilca," likely referring to an individual or a place named after that person.

The name Gilkes is thought to have originated in the northern counties of England, particularly in the regions of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumbria. It may have been derived from a place name or a topographic feature, such as a stream or hill, that bore the same name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Gilkes. One of the earliest recorded was John Gilkes (c. 1300-1370), a prominent English landowner and member of the gentry class in Lincolnshire during the 14th century.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Gilkes (1516-1589), a wealthy merchant and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the expansion of English trade with the Netherlands and the Baltic region.

In the 18th century, Robert Gilkes (1733-1801) was a renowned English engineer and inventor who developed several improvements to water wheels and pumping machinery. His innovations were widely adopted in the mining and textile industries of the Industrial Revolution.

During the 19th century, William Gilkes (1832-1912), a civil engineer and entrepreneur from Middlesbrough, founded the Gilkes engineering company, which specialized in the design and manufacture of water turbines and hydraulic machinery. The company continues to operate today, with a global presence in the hydropower industry.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Walter Gilkes (1875-1957), a British industrialist and philanthropist who served as the chairman of the Gilkes engineering company for several decades. He was also a prominent supporter of educational initiatives and played a significant role in the development of the city of Carlisle.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the surname Gilkes, reflecting its enduring presence and significance in various regions of England and across different fields of endeavor.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gilkes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilkes 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. Oxfordshire leads with 130 Gilkes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.78x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 130 50.78x
Middlesex 65 1.57x
Warwickshire 50 4.78x
Northamptonshire 35 8.98x
Gloucestershire 21 2.58x
Buckinghamshire 13 5.19x
Hampshire 13 1.53x
Kent 13 0.92x
Sussex 13 1.86x
Yorkshire 13 0.32x
Lancashire 10 0.20x
Surrey 10 0.50x
Staffordshire 7 0.50x
Huntingdonshire 6 7.29x
Berkshire 5 1.61x
Worcestershire 5 0.92x
Derbyshire 4 0.62x
Essex 4 0.49x
Herefordshire 2 1.18x
Norfolk 2 0.31x
Brecknockshire 1 1.21x
Lincolnshire 1 0.15x
Royal Navy 1 2.02x
Shropshire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hornton in Oxfordshire leads with 59 Gilkes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 8309.86x.

Place Total Index
Hornton 59 8309.86x
Aston 17 5.91x
Wormleighton 14 4242.42x
Hardingstone 12 322.58x
Islington London 12 2.99x
Brighton 11 7.80x
E Adderbury 11 852.71x
Gt Rollright 8 1454.55x
Hook Norton 8 457.14x
Nether Heyford 8 695.65x
Ratley 8 1379.31x
W Shutford 8 1818.18x
Dallington 7 305.68x
Neithrop 7 81.40x
Westminster St John 7 13.86x
Barrow In Furness 6 8.97x
Birmingham 6 1.72x
Brightside Bierlow 6 7.45x
Bristol St Michael 6 86.08x
Bromley London 6 6.58x
Buckingham 6 117.65x
Chatham 6 15.42x
Cheltenham 6 9.56x
Gillingham 6 20.58x
Huntingdon St John 6 251.05x
Ryde 6 32.88x
Warborough 6 612.24x
Wednesfield 6 29.14x
Acton 5 20.58x
Banbury 5 97.47x
Basingstoke 5 51.18x
Bethnal Green London 5 2.78x
Chipping Norton 5 84.46x
Swalcliffe 5 561.80x
Brackley St Peter 4 149.25x
Enstone 4 254.78x
Liverpool 4 1.34x
Middlesbrough 4 7.48x
Moreton In Marsh 4 196.08x
Walton On Trent 4 634.92x
Bledington 3 576.92x
Chiswick 3 13.25x
Headingley Cum Burley 3 11.35x
Mile End Old Town London 3 3.40x
Penge 3 11.33x
Spitalfields London 3 9.62x
St Clement Danes London 3 34.97x
Stony Stratford East 3 291.26x
Whitechapel London 3 7.34x
Dinton 2 204.08x
Hackney London 2 0.86x
Headington 2 50.38x
Lambeth 2 0.55x
Leominster 2 28.41x
Leyton 2 14.18x
Lillington 2 149.25x
Newington 2 1.31x
Northampton All Sts 2 15.12x
Norwich All Sts 2 370.37x
Ratcliffe London 2 8.74x
St George Hanover Square 2 2.74x
St Pancras London 2 0.60x
Teddington London 2 21.30x
Tredington 2 135.14x
Upton Grey 2 338.98x
Welford 2 149.25x
Wimbledon 2 8.82x
Winslow 2 84.75x
Alderminster 1 142.86x
Bourton 1 140.85x
Chartham 1 28.33x
Hanley Castle 1 30.86x
Lewes All Sts 1 35.97x
Leyton Low 1 6.01x
Oxford St Thomas 1 8.37x
Paddington London 1 0.66x
Shrewsbury St Mary 1 7.08x
Spalding 1 7.60x
Stroud 1 6.32x
Wednesbury 1 2.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 18
Mary 17
Elizabeth 16
Ann 11
Jane 10
Emma 9
Ellen 7
Emily 7
Annie 6
Catherine 6
Eliza 6
Maria 6
Martha 6
Louisa 5
Alice 4
Amy 4
Fanny 4
Hannah 4
Ada 3
Edith 3
Agnes 2
Beatrice 2
Esther 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Rose 2
Betsy 1
Caroline 1
Charlotte 1
Eliz. 1
Elizab.May 1
Emilie 1
Emmeline 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Florence 1
Florentine 1
Hanah 1
Helen 1
Hester 1
Hetty 1
Hilda 1
Infant 1
Jemima 1
Lillie 1
Margret 1
Winefrede 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 36
John 29
Thomas 18
Charles 16
George 16
James 13
Arthur 8
Frederick 7
Joseph 6
Herbert 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Henry 3
Richard 3
Andrew 2
Caleb 2
Edgar 2
Edward 2
Eli 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Lewis 2
Robt. 2
Bernard 1
Edwd. 1
Elija 1
Elijah 1
F... 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
G.H. 1
Geo.Harry 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Josiah 1
Leslie 1
Martin 1
Nehemiah 1
Noah 1
Norton 1
Owen 1
Reginald 1
Rose 1
Solomon 1
Stephen 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Gilkes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gilkes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 427 people were recorded with the Gilkes surname. That placed it at #7,608 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gilkes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 975 in 2016. That gives Gilkes a modern rank of #5,924.

What does the Gilkes surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Gilke, derived from the Old Norse words gil meaning "ravine" and kelda meaning "spring".

What does the Gilkes map show?

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