UK surname
An English surname derived from the personal name "Jenkin", a pet form of John.
In the 1881 census there were 93 people recorded with the Jenkens surname, ranking it #20,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #20,593 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Michaelstone-super-Avon and Bibury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jenkens is 197 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 96.8%.
1881 census count
93
Ranked #20,593
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1851
197 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Jenkens surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Jenkens surname density by area, 1891 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 | 197 | #10,535 |
| 1861 | historical | 169 | #13,823 |
| 1881 | historical | 93 | #20,593 |
| 1891 | historical | 172 | #16,663 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 85 | #24,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 4 | #38,392 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Michaelstone-super-Avon, Bibury, St Pancras and St. Ninians. 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 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Michaelstone-super-Avon | Glamorganshire |
| 3 | Bibury | Gloucestershire |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St. Ninians | Stirling |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Jenkens 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 Jenkens, 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 Jenkens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Jenkens 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, Jenkens 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 Jenkens is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Jenkens, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Jenkens has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be a patronymic surname derived from the personal name "Jenkin," which is a diminutive form of the name John. The name Jenkin was particularly popular in medieval times and was often used to distinguish between individuals with the same first name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Jenkens can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a "Jenkyn le Clerke." This suggests that the name was in use among clerical individuals during that time period. The surname also appears in various other historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, which lists a "Johannes Jenkyn."
The surname Jenkens is closely related to other similar surnames such as Jenkins, Jenkin, and Jenkyns, which all share the same root and origin. These variations in spelling were common during the Middle Ages, as surnames were often recorded phonetically by scribes, leading to different spellings emerging over time.
Historically, the surname Jenkens was concentrated in certain regions of England, particularly in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire. This suggests that the name may have originated in these areas before gradually spreading to other parts of the country.
Notable individuals with the surname Jenkens throughout history include:
1. William Jenkens (c. 1592 - c. 1675), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works. 2. John Jenkens (c. 1633 - 1692), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Sandwich in Kent. 3. Edward Jenkens (c. 1674 - 1727), an English architect and surveyor who worked on several notable buildings in London, including the Church of St. Mary-le-Strand. 4. Thomas Jenkens (c. 1725 - 1798), a Welsh clergyman and author who wrote on various religious and historical topics. 5. Mary Jenkens (c. 1766 - 1838), an English writer and poet who published several works of poetry and prose during her lifetime.
While the surname Jenkens is not as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that can be traced back several centuries, with various notable individuals bearing the name throughout the ages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jenkens 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. Durham leads with 27 Jenkens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 27 | 10.01x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 0.99x |
| Perthshire | 8 | 19.65x |
| Worcestershire | 8 | 6.75x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 0.89x |
| Herefordshire | 7 | 18.82x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.46x |
| Midlothian | 4 | 3.29x |
| Kent | 3 | 0.97x |
| Carmarthenshire | 2 | 5.23x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.06x |
| Essex | 2 | 1.12x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.31x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.50x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.56x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.34x |
| Shropshire | 1 | 1.28x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.68x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.23x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Esh in Durham leads with 18 Jenkens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 918.37x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Esh | 18 | 918.37x |
| Perth West Church | 8 | 414.51x |
| Nether Hallam | 7 | 57.57x |
| Stoke Lacy | 7 | 7777.78x |
| Whitworth | 7 | 353.54x |
| Bethnal Green London | 6 | 15.22x |
| Worcester St John | 5 | 354.61x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 3 | 6.14x |
| Everton | 3 | 8.74x |
| Epping | 2 | 273.97x |
| Kearsley | 2 | 88.50x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 3.97x |
| Kings Norton | 2 | 18.83x |
| Southwick | 2 | 78.13x |
| Bideford | 1 | 49.51x |
| Buckland In Dover | 1 | 97.09x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.73x |
| Castleford | 1 | 30.58x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 3.66x |
| Cobham | 1 | 344.83x |
| Edinburgh St Andrews | 1 | 100.00x |
| Eglwys Cymmin | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Frome | 1 | 28.65x |
| Great Little Saughall | 1 | 454.55x |
| Greenwich | 1 | 6.93x |
| Hastings St Andrew | 1 | 181.82x |
| Ilfracombe | 1 | 51.55x |
| Llangendeirne | 1 | 140.85x |
| New Monkland | 1 | 11.53x |
| Seaford | 1 | 192.31x |
| Suckley | 1 | 526.32x |
| West Dean | 1 | 34.60x |
| Wrockwardine | 1 | 58.14x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jenkens surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Jenkens surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Jenkens households.
FAQ
In 1881, 93 people were recorded with the Jenkens surname. That placed it at #20,593 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Jenkens a modern rank of #38,594.
An English surname derived from the personal name "Jenkin", a pet form of John.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Jenkens 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.