UK surname
Derived from a Middle High German nickname for a squatter or hunchback, from the verb "hocken" meaning "to squat."
In the 1881 census there were 104 people recorded with the Hocker surname, ranking it #19,296 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 74, ranked #33,441, down from #19,296 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Paddington, London parishes and Gluvias. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hocker is 286 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.8%.
1881 census count
104
Ranked #19,296
Modern count
74
2016, ranked #33,441
Peak year
1861
286 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Hocker surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Hocker surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 141 | #13,507 |
| 1861 | historical | 286 | #8,793 |
| 1881 | historical | 104 | #19,296 |
| 1891 | historical | 225 | #13,714 |
| 1901 | historical | 111 | #21,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 104 | #22,209 |
| 1997 | modern | 64 | #31,233 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 63 | #31,798 |
| 2000 | modern | 69 | #31,273 |
| 2001 | modern | 68 | #31,195 |
| 2002 | modern | 67 | #31,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 64 | #32,056 |
| 2004 | modern | 67 | #31,976 |
| 2005 | modern | 64 | #32,482 |
| 2006 | modern | 66 | #32,629 |
| 2007 | modern | 69 | #32,662 |
| 2008 | modern | 72 | #32,656 |
| 2009 | modern | 74 | #32,835 |
| 2010 | modern | 75 | #33,081 |
| 2011 | modern | 66 | #33,768 |
| 2012 | modern | 70 | #33,638 |
| 2013 | modern | 72 | #33,631 |
| 2014 | modern | 75 | #33,473 |
| 2015 | modern | 68 | #33,854 |
| 2016 | modern | 74 | #33,441 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Paddington, London parishes, Gluvias, Lambeth and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Gluvias | Cornwall |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Hocker surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hocker, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Hocker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Hocker household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Hocker is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hocker is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Hocker, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Hocker is believed to have originated in Germany, with its roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the German word "Hocker," which means "one who sits on a bench." This occupation-based surname likely referred to someone who worked as a cobbler or shoemaker, as these tradesmen would often sit on benches while plying their craft.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hocker can be found in the Bremisches Urkundenbuch, a collection of documents from the city of Bremen, Germany, dated around the 14th century. In these records, the name appears as "Hockere," which is believed to be an early variant spelling.
The Hocker surname also has connections to various place names throughout Germany. For example, the town of Hockenheim in the state of Baden-Württemberg is thought to be derived from the same root word, suggesting that the Hocker family may have originated from or resided in this area.
Notable individuals with the Hocker surname throughout history include Johann Hocker (1498-1571), a German theologian and Reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. Another prominent figure was Johann Gottfried Hocker (1667-1743), a German jurist and author who wrote extensively on legal topics.
In the 16th century, the Hocker family had established itself as a respected lineage in the city of Nuremberg, Germany. Records from this time period mention several members of the family, including Hans Hocker (1512-1585), a wealthy merchant and city councillor.
Moving into the 18th century, we find Johann Christoph Hocker (1707-1771), a German composer and organist who made significant contributions to the development of church music. His works were widely performed and appreciated during his lifetime.
Another notable figure was Friedrich Hocker (1794-1857), a German politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Frankfurt Parliament during the revolutionary period of 1848-1849. He was a vocal advocate for liberal reforms and played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the time.
Throughout its long history, the Hocker surname has maintained a strong presence in various regions of Germany, and its origins as an occupation-based name have given it a unique and enduring legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hocker surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 48 Hockers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.69x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 48 | 4.69x |
| Surrey | 19 | 3.81x |
| Warwickshire | 9 | 3.48x |
| Cornwall | 8 | 6.90x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 1.99x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.33x |
| Devon | 3 | 1.41x |
| Huntingdonshire | 2 | 9.83x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.21x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 2.21x |
| Isle of Man | 1 | 5.26x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.66x |
| Rutland | 1 | 13.30x |
| Westmorland | 1 | 4.44x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paddington London in Middlesex leads with 13 Hockers recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Paddington London | 13 | 34.52x |
| Birmingham | 9 | 10.45x |
| Islington London | 9 | 9.07x |
| Lambeth | 8 | 8.96x |
| St Luke London | 8 | 48.69x |
| St Gluvias Penryn | 7 | 752.69x |
| Newington | 6 | 15.86x |
| St Marylebone London | 6 | 10.97x |
| Battersea | 4 | 10.61x |
| Westminster St James | 4 | 37.99x |
| Kensington London | 3 | 5.27x |
| Mangotsfield | 3 | 150.00x |
| St Michael Cornhill | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Cockington | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Huntingdon St Mary | 2 | 392.16x |
| Prescot | 2 | 90.91x |
| Salisbury The Close | 2 | 909.09x |
| Adlington | 1 | 87.72x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 6.46x |
| Budock | 1 | 114.94x |
| Habergham Eaves | 1 | 9.00x |
| Hincaster | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Malew | 1 | 60.24x |
| Pitminster | 1 | 208.33x |
| Reigate Foreign | 1 | 18.52x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 2.25x |
| South Luffenham | 1 | 833.33x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 10.38x |
| Tynemouth | 1 | 12.25x |
| West Teignmouth | 1 | 61.35x |
| Westbury On Trym | 1 | 14.68x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hocker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 6 |
| Elizabeth | 5 |
| Agnes | 4 |
| Ellen | 4 |
| Alice | 3 |
| Adelaide | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Elizth. | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Harriett | 2 |
| Jessie | 2 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Beatrice | 1 |
| Betsey | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Dora | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Grace | 1 |
| Honora | 1 |
| Louisa | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Phoebe | 1 |
| Polly | 1 |
| Rachael | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Ruth | 1 |
| Sarah | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
| Susanne | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hocker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 104 people were recorded with the Hocker surname. That placed it at #19,296 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 74 in 2016. That gives Hocker a modern rank of #33,441.
Derived from a Middle High German nickname for a squatter or hunchback, from the verb "hocken" meaning "to squat."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hocker bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.