NameCensus.

UK surname

Ker

A surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'ciar', meaning dusky or dark complexioned.

In the 1881 census there were 293 people recorded with the Ker surname, ranking it #9,884 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 439, ranked #11,007, down from #9,884 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kelso, Melrose and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Muirend and Old Cathcart, Kelso North and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ker is 617 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 49.8%.

1881 census count

293

Ranked #9,884

Modern count

439

2016, ranked #11,007

Peak year

1901

617 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ker had 293 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,884 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 439 in 2016, ranked #11,007.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 617 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Ker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ker surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ker 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 542 #4,654
1881 historical 293 #9,884
1891 historical 326 #10,405
1901 historical 617 #6,917
1997 modern 391 #11,196
1998 modern 400 #11,335
1999 modern 387 #11,722
2000 modern 390 #11,623
2001 modern 368 #11,952
2002 modern 393 #11,587
2003 modern 388 #11,508
2004 modern 379 #11,740
2005 modern 383 #11,565
2006 modern 398 #11,304
2007 modern 407 #11,228
2008 modern 414 #11,160
2009 modern 428 #11,112
2010 modern 439 #11,121
2011 modern 416 #11,492
2012 modern 417 #11,346
2013 modern 438 #11,071
2014 modern 455 #10,804
2015 modern 444 #10,935
2016 modern 439 #11,007

Geography

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Where Kers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kelso, Melrose, London parishes, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Muirend and Old Cathcart, Kelso North, Cardiff, Taunton Deane and Stockton-on-Tees. 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 Kelso Roxburgh
2 Melrose Roxburgh
3 London parishes London 3
4 Govan Combination Lanark
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Muirend and Old Cathcart Glasgow City
2 Kelso North Scottish Borders
3 Cardiff 010 Cardiff
4 Taunton Deane 003 Taunton Deane
5 Stockton-on-Tees 001 Stockton-on-Tees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ker

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Ker is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Ker is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ker falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ker

The surname Ker originated in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "carr," meaning a marsh or fen, referring to the geographical location where the family first settled.

The name is closely associated with the village of Ker, located in the Scottish Borders region. In the 12th century, the Ker family held lands in the area and became prominent landowners. The spelling variations of the name include Ker, Carr, Carre, and Karre.

One of the earliest recorded references to the surname Ker can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which lists Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name "Robert de Ker" appears on this document, indicating the family's significance in medieval Scotland.

In the 14th century, the Kers played a crucial role in the Scottish Wars of Independence against England. Sir Robert Ker, a prominent knight, fought alongside King Robert the Bruce and was rewarded with lands for his loyalty and bravery.

During the 16th century, the Kers continued to hold influential positions in Scotland. Sir Andrew Ker of Cessford (1492-1545) was a notable figure who served as the Warden of the Middle Marches, responsible for defending the Scottish Borders against English raids.

Another notable member of the Ker family was Mark Ker (1558-1609), who rose to prominence as a diplomat and ambassador for King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England). He played a crucial role in the union of the Scottish and English crowns.

In the 17th century, Robert Ker (1636-1696) was a renowned playwright and poet, known for his contributions to the Restoration literature of England. His most famous work was the tragedy "The Conspirancy," which was performed at the Theatre Royal in London.

The Ker family continued to hold significant positions in Scottish society throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Sir John Ker (1741-1804) was a prominent military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and later became the Governor of the British colony of Cape Breton Island.

Another notable figure was Lord Ralph Ker (1785-1842), a Scottish nobleman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Lord Privy Seal during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ker 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. Midlothian leads with 84 Kers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.30x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 84 10.30x
Roxburghshire 62 56.23x
Dumfriesshire 49 36.44x
Middlesex 46 0.76x
Surrey 40 1.35x
Lanarkshire 39 1.98x
Lancashire 39 0.54x
Peeblesshire 24 83.83x
Gloucestershire 23 1.93x
Renfrewshire 22 4.66x
Kent 18 0.87x
Warwickshire 14 0.91x
Northumberland 13 1.44x
Angus 11 1.95x
Ayrshire 11 2.41x
Sussex 11 1.07x
Wigtownshire 10 12.37x
Durham 9 0.50x
Fife 9 2.50x
Yorkshire 8 0.13x
Leicestershire 7 1.04x
Stirlingshire 7 3.12x
Cheshire 6 0.45x
Cumberland 6 1.14x
Hampshire 6 0.48x
Inverness-shire 6 3.30x
Worcestershire 5 0.63x
Banffshire 4 3.17x
Hertfordshire 4 0.95x
Cornwall 3 0.44x
Dunbartonshire 3 1.83x
Lincolnshire 3 0.31x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.35x
Berwickshire 2 2.71x
East Lothian 2 2.48x
Essex 2 0.17x
Kirkcudbrightshire 2 2.27x
Shropshire 2 0.38x
West Lothian 2 2.18x
Berkshire 1 0.22x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.39x
Devon 1 0.08x
Morayshire 1 1.06x
Norfolk 1 0.11x
Oxfordshire 1 0.27x
Selkirkshire 1 1.82x
Staffordshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 41 Kers recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.50x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 41 12.50x
Annan 37 320.35x
Melrose 25 262.33x
Govan 22 4.52x
West Calder 21 130.68x
Kelso 20 181.98x
West Greenock 19 22.44x
Aston 12 2.84x
Lambeth 12 2.26x
Hempstead 11 753.42x
Islington London 10 1.70x
Liverpool 10 2.28x
Peebles 10 118.20x
Stranraer 10 135.32x
Dundee 9 4.28x
Glasgow 9 2.57x
Hawick 9 36.47x
Barony 8 1.61x
Camberwell 8 2.06x
Dunfermline 8 14.44x
Innerleithen 8 105.26x
Kingston On Thames 8 11.23x
Kirkdale 8 6.58x
Lofthouse 8 88.79x
St Pancras London 8 1.63x
Baldernock 7 588.24x
Belgrave 7 45.96x
Greenwich 7 7.22x
Clifton 6 9.94x
Croy Dalcross 6 166.67x
Edinburgh Greenside 6 55.71x
Fulham London 6 6.80x
Garston 6 28.14x
Southampton St Mary 6 7.65x
Walton On Hill 6 15.33x
Westminster St Margaret 6 20.44x
Wigton 6 76.34x
Ardrossan 5 31.71x
Claughton With Grange 5 81.70x
Heene 5 282.49x
Iveston 5 59.95x
Kensington London 5 1.48x
Sprouston 5 233.64x
Stapleton 5 22.08x
Stobo 5 500.00x
Barnes 4 31.90x
Corstorphine 4 88.89x
Deskford 4 220.99x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 4 20.74x
Halesowen 4 57.31x
Hastings St Mary 4 15.66x
Hexham 4 28.53x
Kirkconnell 4 187.79x
Maidstone 4 6.47x
Stair 4 206.19x
Battersea 3 1.34x
Bethnal Green London 3 1.13x
Birkdale 3 16.41x
Edinburgh St Stephens 3 18.69x
Elswick 3 4.15x
Finchley 3 12.85x
Gateshead 3 2.21x
Gretna 3 118.58x
New Kilpatrick 3 19.28x
Stanstead Abbots 3 117.65x
Tattershall 3 300.00x
Tywardreath 3 67.72x
Wooler 3 94.04x
Aberdeen Old Machar 2 1.70x
Bridgnorth St Leonard 2 33.56x
Cheam 2 63.09x
Eyemouth 2 32.52x
Haddington 2 16.81x
Howick 2 307.69x
Margate St John Baptist 2 5.26x
Paisley Low Church 2 13.40x
Preston 2 1.03x
Speldhurst 2 18.92x
Yetholm 2 91.74x
Stoke Damerel 1 1.13x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 14
Jane 11
Margaret 10
Agnes 9
Mary 9
Annie 5
Emma 4
Isabella 4
Amy 3
Ann 3
Caroline 3
Charlotte 3
Eliza 3
Eva 3
Julia 3
Lucy 3
Alice 2
Anna 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Emily 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Jessey 2
Jessie 2
Laura 2
Maggie 2
Margarett 2
Sarah 2
Alieca 1
Anne 1
Augusta 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Blanche 1
E.M.K. 1
Elizth. 1
Ester 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Henrietta 1
James 1
Kate 1
Kathleen 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
Martha 1
Winnie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 20
John 15
Robert 13
James 9
Charles 6
George 6
Thomas 6
Andrew 4
David 4
Arthur 3
Francis 3
Harry 3
Walter 3
Alexander 2
Donald 2
Edward 2
Joseph 2
Thos. 2
A.E. 1
Abiah 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Chas. 1
Claude 1
E.M. 1
Edmund 1
Frank 1
Hugh 1
Jno. 1
Launcelot 1
Laurence 1
Lawrence 1
Mark 1
Matthew 1
Michael 1
Mortimer 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Rivers 1
Robin 1

FAQ

Ker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 293 people were recorded with the Ker surname. That placed it at #9,884 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 439 in 2016. That gives Ker a modern rank of #11,007.

What does the Ker surname mean?

A surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'ciar', meaning dusky or dark complexioned.

What does the Ker map show?

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