NameCensus.

UK surname

Kirkham

A locational surname denoting someone from any of the places named Kirkham in Lancashire or North Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 4,177 people recorded with the Kirkham surname, ranking it #1,076 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,170, ranked #1,096, down from #1,076 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolstanton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fylde, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kirkham is 6,437 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.7%.

1881 census count

4,177

Ranked #1,076

Modern count

6,170

2016, ranked #1,096

Peak year

1999

6,437 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kirkham had 4,177 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,076 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,170 in 2016, ranked #1,096.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,992 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kirkham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kirkham surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kirkham 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 2,390 #1,246
1861 historical 2,335 #1,261
1881 historical 4,177 #1,076
1891 historical 4,516 #1,040
1901 historical 5,421 #1,029
1911 historical 5,992 #865
1997 modern 5,796 #1,133
1998 modern 6,380 #1,073
1999 modern 6,437 #1,069
2000 modern 6,380 #1,071
2001 modern 6,266 #1,067
2002 modern 6,386 #1,070
2003 modern 6,214 #1,076
2004 modern 6,190 #1,079
2005 modern 6,120 #1,074
2006 modern 6,111 #1,071
2007 modern 6,134 #1,074
2008 modern 6,140 #1,078
2009 modern 6,265 #1,083
2010 modern 6,398 #1,086
2011 modern 6,327 #1,083
2012 modern 6,210 #1,079
2013 modern 6,256 #1,090
2014 modern 6,233 #1,101
2015 modern 6,164 #1,102
2016 modern 6,170 #1,096

Geography

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Where Kirkhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolstanton, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Manchester, Preston and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fylde, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent and Derbyshire Dales. 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 Wolstanton Staffordshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fylde 004 Fylde
2 Newcastle-under-Lyme 001 Newcastle-under-Lyme
3 Staffordshire Moorlands 002 Staffordshire Moorlands
4 Stoke-on-Trent 007 Stoke-on-Trent
5 Derbyshire Dales 003 Derbyshire Dales

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kirkham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kirkham

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kirkham 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

Kirkham is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kirkham falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Kirkham

The surname Kirkham has its origins in England and dates back to the 12th century. It is a locational name derived from the place name Kirkham, which means "church village" or "church homestead" in Old English. The name is believed to have originated in the county of Lancashire, where there are several places called Kirkham.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kirkham can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire from 1176, where it is spelled "Kircham." The Domesday Book of 1086 also mentions the village of Kirkham, which was then known as "Childreuualle."

In the 13th century, the name Kirkham was associated with a prominent family in Lancashire. Sir Walter de Kirkham was a knight who lived during the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272). His son, Sir Richard de Kirkham, was also a knight and served under King Edward I (1272-1307).

Another notable bearer of the name was William Kirkham (c. 1480-1572), an English translator and clergyman who was active during the Tudor period. He is best known for his translation of the Bible into English.

During the 17th century, the Kirkham family established themselves in the village of Kirkham in Lancashire. One member of this family, Thomas Kirkham (1604-1670), was a prominent Puritan minister who served as the vicar of Kirkham.

In the 18th century, the name Kirkham was associated with the philosophical and educational writings of Samuel Kirkham (1743-1805). He was an English grammarian and author of several influential textbooks on English grammar.

Another notable bearer of the name was John Kirkham (1770-1857), an English artist and engraver who was renowned for his landscape paintings and etchings of rural scenes in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

As the name Kirkham originated from a specific location in Lancashire, it is likely that many early bearers of the name were from that region. However, over time, the name spread to other parts of England and beyond, as people migrated and established new homes in different areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kirkham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kirkham 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. Lancashire leads with 1,559 Kirkhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.22x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,559 3.22x
Staffordshire 600 4.36x
Cheshire 393 4.37x
Yorkshire 259 0.64x
Nottinghamshire 231 4.20x
Middlesex 179 0.44x
Derbyshire 124 1.94x
Lincolnshire 110 1.69x
Shropshire 90 2.56x
Warwickshire 81 0.79x
Surrey 80 0.40x
Norfolk 53 0.85x
Durham 52 0.43x
Essex 52 0.65x
Leicestershire 30 0.66x
Northumberland 27 0.45x
Kent 26 0.19x
Somerset 26 0.40x
Lanarkshire 21 0.16x
Flintshire 16 1.46x
Montgomeryshire 14 1.50x
Gloucestershire 13 0.16x
Merionethshire 13 1.74x
Berkshire 12 0.39x
Northamptonshire 11 0.29x
Midlothian 10 0.18x
Sussex 10 0.15x
Hertfordshire 8 0.28x
Suffolk 8 0.16x
Worcestershire 8 0.15x
Denbighshire 7 0.45x
Cumberland 6 0.17x
Pembrokeshire 6 0.46x
Caernarfonshire 5 0.30x
Clackmannanshire 5 1.49x
Hampshire 5 0.06x
Cambridgeshire 4 0.16x
Monmouthshire 4 0.14x
Fife 3 0.12x
Renfrewshire 3 0.10x
Glamorgan 2 0.03x
Rutland 2 0.67x
Anglesey 1 0.14x
Ayrshire 1 0.03x
Cornwall 1 0.02x
Devon 1 0.01x
Dorset 1 0.04x
Herefordshire 1 0.06x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.12x
Isle of Man 1 0.13x
Oxfordshire 1 0.04x
Royal Navy 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over Darwen in Lancashire leads with 182 Kirkhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.11x.

Place Total Index
Over Darwen 182 47.11x
Preston 126 9.74x
Manchester 85 3.91x
Stoke Upon Trent 75 5.14x
Salford 64 4.50x
Runcorn 54 26.03x
Nottingham St Mary 53 3.73x
Burslem 50 12.69x
Toxteth Park 49 2.99x
Warrington 49 8.55x
Wolstanton 46 11.01x
Norton In Moors 45 61.80x
Aston 39 1.38x
Marton 39 121.27x
Leek Lowe 38 20.76x
Layton With Warbreck 33 18.59x
Gorton 31 6.82x
Macclesfield 31 7.75x
Everton 29 1.88x
Great Bolton 28 4.37x
Liverpool 28 0.95x
Oldham 28 1.79x
Saddleworth 28 8.99x
Wolverhampton 28 2.65x
Kirkdale 27 3.32x
St Anne Soho London 27 11.60x
Barrow In Furness 26 3.95x
Ecclesall Bierlow 26 3.17x
Leeds 26 1.14x
Birmingham 24 0.70x
Kingswinford 24 4.80x
Walsall Foreign 24 3.38x
Weeton With Preece 24 402.68x
West Derby 24 1.70x
St Marylebone London 23 1.06x
Chorlton On Medlock 22 2.86x
Tiverton 22 302.61x
Blackburn 21 1.63x
Calverton 20 115.07x
Hammersmith London 20 1.99x
Middlesbrough 20 3.80x
Standish With Langtree 20 33.58x
Bulwell 19 15.91x
St Pancras London 19 0.58x
Bollington In 18 22.48x
Broughton In Salford 18 4.07x
Fishwick 18 60.18x
Little Bolton 18 2.89x
Odd Rode 18 40.40x
Wolstanton Oldcott 18 36.12x
Ashton Under Lyne 17 1.61x
Barony 17 0.51x
Barton Upon Irwell 17 4.67x
Bishopwearmouth 17 1.63x
Great Yarmouth 17 3.28x
Stretford 17 6.39x
Wolstanton Thursfield 17 101.80x
Baschurch 16 66.42x
Bathwick 16 22.04x
Birkenhead 16 2.23x
Ecclesfield 16 5.40x
Hinckley 16 14.93x
Newton 16 4.29x
Openshaw 16 7.06x
Sheffield 16 1.24x
Tipton 16 3.80x
Castleton 15 3.11x
Elton 15 8.98x
Godley 15 77.24x
Monks Coppenhall 15 4.42x
Boston 14 7.08x
Brightside Bierlow 14 1.77x
Goosnargh 14 89.46x
North Meols 14 2.96x
Westby With Plumpton 14 187.67x
Anderton 13 271.40x
Eccleshill 13 123.22x
Sharples 13 24.78x
Southwark Christchurch 13 6.81x
Windle 13 4.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 319
Sarah 175
Elizabeth 163
Jane 104
Ann 98
Alice 84
Annie 79
Emma 65
Hannah 64
Ellen 60
Margaret 59
Eliza 53
Martha 49
Harriet 31
Louisa 21
Edith 20
Ada 19
Catherine 19
Emily 19
Frances 19
Maria 19
Agnes 18
Fanny 16
Florence 16
Betsy 15
Clara 15
Elizth. 13
Esther 13
Lucy 13
Harriett 12
Anne 11
Charlotte 11
Nancy 11
Betty 10
Ethel 10
Eleanor 9
Kate 9
Rebecca 9
Bertha 8
Caroline 8
Isabella 7
Susan 7
Amelia 6
Amy 6
Gertrude 6
Helen 6
Lydia 6
Minnie 6
Anna 5
Jessie 5

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 291
William 259
Thomas 185
George 146
James 137
Joseph 117
Robert 67
Richard 66
Henry 63
Charles 62
Samuel 59
Edward 42
Arthur 38
Walter 27
Frederick 26
Alfred 24
Albert 23
Harry 22
Benjamin 20
Isaac 20
Wm. 18
Frank 16
Francis 12
Fred 11
Thos. 11
Edwin 10
Peter 10
Daniel 8
Ernest 6
Mathew 6
Matthew 6
David 5
Eli 5
Herbert 5
Joshua 5
Stephen 5
Willm. 5
Alexander 4
Andrew 4
Fredk. 4
Hugh 4
Jno. 4
Jonathan 4
Chas. 3
Dennis 3
Frederic 3
Mark 3
Percy 3
Ralph 3
Wm.Hy. 3

FAQ

Kirkham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kirkham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,177 people were recorded with the Kirkham surname. That placed it at #1,076 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kirkham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,170 in 2016. That gives Kirkham a modern rank of #1,096.

What does the Kirkham surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone from any of the places named Kirkham in Lancashire or North Yorkshire, England.

What does the Kirkham map show?

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