NameCensus.

UK surname

Ketch

A surname derived from an occupational term referring to a ship's boatswain or officer.

In the 1881 census there were 68 people recorded with the Ketch surname, ranking it #23,950 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 95, ranked #31,782, down from #23,950 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Warmington and Arlescote and Batley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bromley, Wolverhampton and Torbay.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ketch is 104 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.7%.

1881 census count

68

Ranked #23,950

Modern count

95

2016, ranked #31,782

Peak year

1998

104 bearers

Map years

2

1901 to 1998

Key insights

  • Ketch had 68 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,950 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 95 in 2016, ranked #31,782.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 102 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Ketch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ketch surname density by area, 1998 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ketch 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 52 #23,915
1861 historical 56 #26,864
1881 historical 68 #23,950
1891 historical 75 #27,414
1901 historical 102 #22,596
1911 historical 63 #26,537
1997 modern 103 #26,498
1998 modern 104 #26,981
1999 modern 99 #27,906
2000 modern 96 #28,299
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 102 #27,596
2003 modern 98 #28,046
2004 modern 91 #29,345
2005 modern 94 #28,973
2006 modern 87 #30,292
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 81 #31,713
2009 modern 91 #30,944
2010 modern 90 #31,621
2011 modern 86 #32,006
2012 modern 88 #32,064
2013 modern 93 #31,785
2014 modern 96 #31,667
2015 modern 95 #31,749
2016 modern 95 #31,782

Geography

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Where Ketchs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Warmington and Arlescote, Batley, Ilminster and Broughton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bromley, Wolverhampton, Torbay and Cambridge. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Warmington and Arlescote Oxfordshire
3 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Ilminster Somerset
5 Broughton Oxfordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bromley 019 Bromley
2 Wolverhampton 015 Wolverhampton
3 Wolverhampton 018 Wolverhampton
4 Torbay 003 Torbay
5 Cambridge 011 Cambridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ketch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ketch

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ketch, 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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Ketch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Ketch household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Ketch 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

Ketch is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ketch falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ketch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Ketch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ketch

The surname Ketch is believed to have originated in England, specifically in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, during the medieval period. It is likely derived from the Old English word "kecche," which means "to catch" or "to seize."

The earliest known record of the surname Ketch can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Kecche." This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their properties in England.

In the 13th century, the name Ketch was associated with various occupations, such as tax collectors, bailiffs, or law enforcement officials responsible for capturing and detaining individuals. The name may have been given to those who held these positions due to their role in "catching" or apprehending people.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Ketch was John Ketch, who lived from around 1615 to 1686. He was an infamous executioner in England, known for his brutality and efficiency in carrying out hangings. His name became synonymous with the term "hangman" and has been used as a verb meaning "to hang" or "to execute."

Another notable individual was William Ketch, born in 1641 in Yorkshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner in the 17th century, known for his involvement in the wool trade and his philanthropic endeavors.

In the 18th century, the Ketch surname was found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Norfolk. Some variants of the name included Ketche, Kecche, and Keche.

One well-known figure from this era was Sir Thomas Ketch, born in 1712 in Lincolnshire. He was a respected jurist and served as the Lord Chief Justice of England from 1765 to 1770.

Another notable individual was Elizabeth Ketch, born in 1753 in Norfolk. She was a renowned writer and poet, known for her romantic novels and her contributions to the literary scene of the time.

In the 19th century, the Ketch surname continued to be prevalent in England, with some families migrating to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. One notable figure from this period was Charles Ketch, born in 1822 in Yorkshire. He was a renowned engineer and inventor, credited with several innovations in textile manufacturing machinery.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ketch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ketch 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. Yorkshire leads with 9 Ketchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.50x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 9 1.50x
Glamorgan 8 7.60x
Warwickshire 8 5.25x
Oxfordshire 6 16.07x
Somerset 6 6.16x
Lancashire 5 0.70x
Middlesex 5 0.83x
Kent 3 1.45x
Surrey 3 1.02x
Essex 2 1.68x
Staffordshire 2 0.98x
Carmarthenshire 1 3.92x
Devon 1 0.79x
Durham 1 0.56x
Hampshire 1 0.81x
Northamptonshire 1 1.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 8 Ketchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.74x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 8 15.74x
Churwell 8 1951.22x
Llantwit Vairdre 8 677.97x
Broughton 5 4166.67x
Castleton 5 69.74x
Islington London 3 5.12x
Leeds 3 2000.00x
Taunton St Mary 3 167.60x
Handsworth 2 39.76x
Southwark St Saviour 2 64.31x
St Marylebone London 2 6.19x
Banbury 1 133.33x
Brentwood 1 136.99x
Chard 1 84.75x
Devonport 1 68.97x
Hylton 1 312.50x
Ilminster 1 147.06x
Kettering 1 43.48x
Leyton Low 1 41.15x
Llanelly 1 17.42x
Portsea 1 4.12x
Scarborough 1 18.35x
Taunton St James 1 70.42x
Wonersh 1 270.27x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Top occupations

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 Ketch households.

FAQ

Ketch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ketch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 68 people were recorded with the Ketch surname. That placed it at #23,950 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ketch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 95 in 2016. That gives Ketch a modern rank of #31,782.

What does the Ketch surname mean?

A surname derived from an occupational term referring to a ship's boatswain or officer.

What does the Ketch map show?

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