NameCensus.

UK surname

Hawke

A surname derived from the Old English word 'hafoc', meaning hawk or a person that hunted with hawks.

In the 1881 census there were 1,669 people recorded with the Hawke surname, ranking it #2,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,500, ranked #4,123, down from #2,575 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bodmin, Roach and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Barnsley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hawke is 1,996 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.1%.

1881 census count

1,669

Ranked #2,575

Modern count

1,500

2016, ranked #4,123

Peak year

1911

1,996 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hawke had 1,669 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,575 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,500 in 2016, ranked #4,123.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,996 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hawke surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hawke surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hawke 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 1,279 #2,235
1861 historical 1,145 #2,455
1881 historical 1,669 #2,575
1891 historical 1,693 #2,668
1901 historical 1,901 #2,783
1911 historical 1,996 #2,491
1997 modern 1,605 #3,691
1998 modern 1,687 #3,656
1999 modern 1,663 #3,737
2000 modern 1,608 #3,836
2001 modern 1,555 #3,882
2002 modern 1,604 #3,841
2003 modern 1,566 #3,847
2004 modern 1,533 #3,928
2005 modern 1,507 #3,942
2006 modern 1,503 #3,957
2007 modern 1,509 #3,982
2008 modern 1,520 #3,967
2009 modern 1,558 #3,975
2010 modern 1,576 #4,009
2011 modern 1,531 #4,082
2012 modern 1,490 #4,118
2013 modern 1,521 #4,111
2014 modern 1,527 #4,116
2015 modern 1,502 #4,133
2016 modern 1,500 #4,123

Geography

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Where Hawkes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bodmin, Roach, London parishes, Wendron and St Austell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Barnsley. 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 Bodmin Cornwall
2 Roach Cornwall
3 London parishes London 3
4 Wendron Cornwall
5 St Austell Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 024 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 027 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 030 Cornwall
4 Barnsley 027 Barnsley
5 Cornwall 032 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hawke

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hawke

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Hawke is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hawke is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hawke falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Hawke

The surname Hawke originated in England and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word 'hafoc', meaning 'hawk', and likely referred to someone who was a falconer or keeper of hawks. The name was initially found in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire.

The earliest known record of the name Hawke appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1199, where it is written as 'Hauoc'. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 also mention a 'Richard Hauk' in Lincolnshire. Over time, the name evolved to its modern spelling of 'Hawke'.

In the 14th century, the Hawke family held lands in Brasted, Kent, and the name is mentioned in the Feet of Fines for that county in 1337. Another early reference can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327, where a 'John Hauk' is listed.

One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Hawke (c. 1520-1595), an English naval commander who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was knighted for his services in the English victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Another prominent figure was Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke (1705-1781), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in the Seven Years' War. He is best known for his victory over the French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.

The name Hawke is also associated with the town of Hawkesbury in New South Wales, Australia, which was named after Baron Hawkesbury, the Lord President of the Committee of Trade and Foreign Plantations in the late 18th century.

Other notable individuals with the surname Hawke include Benjamin Hawke (1676-1738), an English politician and landowner, and Ethan Hawke (born 1970), an American actor, writer, and director.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hawke families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hawke 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. Cornwall leads with 775 Hawkes recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.85x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 775 41.85x
Devon 203 5.96x
Yorkshire 181 1.12x
Middlesex 148 0.90x
Lancashire 61 0.31x
Surrey 41 0.51x
Glamorgan 26 0.91x
Durham 24 0.49x
Hampshire 24 0.72x
Kent 22 0.39x
Derbyshire 21 0.82x
Gloucestershire 18 0.56x
Leicestershire 15 0.83x
Buckinghamshire 13 1.31x
Somerset 12 0.46x
Northumberland 10 0.41x
Warwickshire 10 0.24x
Cumberland 9 0.64x
Worcestershire 9 0.42x
Oxfordshire 7 0.69x
Sussex 7 0.25x
Royal Navy 6 3.08x
Wiltshire 6 0.41x
Cheshire 5 0.14x
Hertfordshire 5 0.44x
Bedfordshire 3 0.35x
Essex 3 0.09x
Suffolk 3 0.15x
Channel Islands 2 0.41x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.09x
Dorset 1 0.09x
Lincolnshire 1 0.04x
Monmouthshire 1 0.08x
Norfolk 1 0.04x
Northamptonshire 1 0.07x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Helston in Cornwall leads with 53 Hawkes recorded in 1881 and an index of 275.32x.

Place Total Index
Helston 53 275.32x
St Cleer 49 305.11x
Roche 44 467.59x
Bodmin 43 140.34x
St Germans 43 332.82x
Stoke Damerel 39 16.36x
St Austell 36 56.87x
Kenwyn 35 72.27x
St Pancras London 30 2.28x
Linkinhorne 29 224.81x
St Ervan 27 1232.88x
Plymouth Charles The 22 14.66x
Hoyland Nether 20 50.30x
Islington London 20 1.26x
East Stonehouse 19 28.32x
Madron Penzance 19 28.21x
Falmouth 16 24.41x
Hetton Le Hole 16 25.94x
Saltash 16 111.42x
St Columb Major 16 104.10x
Toxteth Park 16 2.43x
Doncaster 15 12.67x
Ecclesall Bierlow 15 4.55x
Hallaton 15 373.13x
Nether Hallam 15 6.84x
Rawmarsh 15 26.19x
St Agnes 15 57.83x
Calstock 14 38.55x
Liskeard 14 45.18x
Plymouth St Andrew 14 5.34x
St Ives 14 38.63x
St Stephen In Brannel 14 82.89x
Ystradyfodwg 14 5.60x
Bradfield 13 20.80x
St Erme 13 457.75x
St Winnow 13 205.05x
Lambeth 12 0.84x
Newlyn 12 151.71x
St Endellion 12 186.92x
Werrington 12 326.09x
Dartmouth St Savior 11 270.94x
Hackney London 11 1.20x
Phillack 11 46.01x
Bethnal Green London 10 1.41x
Brightside Bierlow 10 3.15x
Chelsea London 10 2.03x
Cornworthy 10 425.53x
Habergham Eaves 10 5.64x
Mawgan In Pyder 10 252.53x
Michelmersh 10 153.85x
Sheffield 10 1.94x
Cramlington 9 27.99x
Croydon 9 2.03x
Holbrook 9 156.25x
North Petherwyn 9 187.11x
Gwennap 8 22.90x
Hampstead London 8 3.14x
Kidderminster Borough 8 6.40x
Lanteglos 8 93.46x
Maker 8 46.76x
Millom 8 18.54x
Portsea 8 1.22x
St Breock 8 79.92x
St Ive 8 67.34x
St Mewan 8 140.11x
St Paul Covent Garden 8 48.87x
Ashton Under Lyne 7 1.65x
Bedminster 7 2.83x
Callington 7 64.87x
Camberwell 7 0.67x
Chesham 7 19.20x
Hampton Poyle 7 972.22x
North Tamerton 7 261.19x
Tavistock 7 18.05x
Truro St Mary 7 44.99x
Wighill 7 507.25x
Wolborough 7 16.26x
Glossop Dale 6 5.00x
Kingswear 6 219.78x
Wath On Dearne 6 18.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 155
Elizabeth 65
Sarah 39
Jane 35
Annie 30
Ann 28
Eliza 28
Ellen 21
Emma 21
Bessie 15
Emily 15
Susan 14
Catherine 13
Caroline 12
Harriet 12
Alice 11
Edith 11
Fanny 11
Grace 11
Louisa 11
Margaret 11
Martha 11
Ada 9
Amelia 9
Kate 9
Charlotte 8
Jessie 8
Maria 8
Anna 7
Beatrice 7
Florence 7
Elizth. 6
Frances 6
Matilda 6
Anne 5
Clara 5
Eleanor 5
Hannah 5
Lucy 5
Mabel 5
Maud 5
Selina 5
Agnes 4
Ethel 4
Gertrude 4
Isabella 4
Rebecca 4
Betsy 3
Catharine 3
Ruth 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 114
John 109
Thomas 58
Richard 48
George 38
James 37
Samuel 27
Henry 24
Charles 23
Robert 22
Edward 17
Joseph 17
Frederick 14
Francis 13
Arthur 11
Ernest 11
Alfred 10
Edwin 9
Albert 8
Harry 8
Josiah 7
Wm. 7
Alexander 5
Philip 5
Stephen 5
Thos. 5
Walter 5
Fredrick 4
Isaac 4
Sidney 4
Tom 4
Willm. 4
Daniel 3
Frank 3
Fredk. 3
Geo. 3
Herbert 3
Percy 3
Willie 3
Charley 2
David 2
Earnest 2
Fred 2
Harold 2
Jno. 2
Leonard 2
Martin 2
Simon 2
Emanuel 1
Wm.Alfred 1

FAQ

Hawke surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hawke surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,669 people were recorded with the Hawke surname. That placed it at #2,575 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hawke surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,500 in 2016. That gives Hawke a modern rank of #4,123.

What does the Hawke surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English word 'hafoc', meaning hawk or a person that hunted with hawks.

What does the Hawke map show?

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