NameCensus.

UK surname

Lock

An English occupational surname for a locksmith or someone who made and repaired locks.

In the 1881 census there were 8,488 people recorded with the Lock surname, ranking it #499 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 9,991, ranked #641, down from #499 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset, Sedgemoor and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lock is 10,872 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17.7%.

1881 census count

8,488

Ranked #499

Modern count

9,991

2016, ranked #641

Peak year

1911

10,872 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lock had 8,488 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #499 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 9,991 in 2016, ranked #641.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10,872 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Lock surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lock surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lock 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 6,255 #443
1861 historical 5,505 #502
1881 historical 8,488 #499
1891 historical 8,941 #495
1901 historical 10,211 #512
1911 historical 10,872 #452
1997 modern 10,167 #605
1998 modern 10,447 #612
1999 modern 10,497 #615
2000 modern 10,487 #613
2001 modern 10,280 #612
2002 modern 10,430 #616
2003 modern 10,166 #620
2004 modern 10,118 #623
2005 modern 9,858 #631
2006 modern 9,792 #640
2007 modern 9,837 #641
2008 modern 9,886 #644
2009 modern 10,180 #638
2010 modern 10,395 #635
2011 modern 10,219 #638
2012 modern 10,064 #636
2013 modern 10,238 #633
2014 modern 10,260 #636
2015 modern 10,073 #641
2016 modern 9,991 #641

Geography

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Where Locks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset, Sedgemoor and North Devon. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller Somerset
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 007 South Somerset
2 Sedgemoor 009 Sedgemoor
3 North Devon 013 North Devon
4 South Somerset 004 South Somerset
5 North Devon 012 North Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lock

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lock

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Lock is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lock 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

Lock falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Lock

The surname LOCK is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval times. It is derived from the Old English word "loc," which means "lock" or "enclosure." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a lock or enclosure, or perhaps worked as a locksmith or gatekeeper.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LOCK can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Loca." This historical document provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames in England during the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the surname LOCK appeared in various court records and legal documents, such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire (1230) and the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire (1272). These records demonstrate the widespread usage of the name across different regions of England.

Over time, the surname underwent several spelling variations, including Lok, Lokke, and Locke. Some notable individuals with the surname LOCK throughout history include:

1. John Lock (c. 1554-1642), a pioneering English philosopher and physician who made significant contributions to the field of empiricism.

2. Matthew Lock (c. 1635-1677), an English composer known for his contributions to the development of English opera and theatrical music.

3. Anne Lock (1767-1854), a British botanist and plant illustrator who produced numerous detailed drawings of plants and flowers.

4. John Baskerville Lock (1805-1876), a British architect and engineer who designed several notable buildings in Birmingham, including the Birmingham Town Hall.

5. William Lock (1836-1913), a British sculptor and medallist who created numerous public monuments and sculptures, including the statue of Queen Victoria in Birmingham.

The surname LOCK has also been associated with various place names, such as Lockton in North Yorkshire, Lockington in Leicestershire, and Lockwood in West Yorkshire. These place names may have influenced the formation and distribution of the surname in different regions.

While the surname LOCK may have originated from a specific occupation or location, it has since become a widespread surname across various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lock 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. Middlesex leads with 1,161 Locks recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.40x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1,161 1.40x
Devon 1,097 6.34x
Somerset 915 6.83x
Surrey 762 1.88x
Hampshire 634 3.72x
Kent 390 1.37x
Gloucestershire 288 1.77x
Dorset 276 5.06x
Norfolk 233 1.82x
Suffolk 223 2.20x
Lancashire 189 0.19x
Glamorgan 185 1.28x
Warwickshire 178 0.85x
Yorkshire 163 0.20x
Essex 161 0.98x
Oxfordshire 157 3.06x
Worcestershire 155 1.43x
Sussex 145 1.03x
Berkshire 106 1.70x
Leicestershire 100 1.08x
Durham 96 0.39x
Northamptonshire 85 1.09x
Wiltshire 72 0.98x
Staffordshire 65 0.23x
Cambridgeshire 63 1.20x
Hertfordshire 55 0.96x
Lincolnshire 55 0.41x
Channel Islands 52 2.11x
Herefordshire 46 1.35x
Northumberland 45 0.36x
Cornwall 40 0.42x
Monmouthshire 39 0.65x
Cumberland 28 0.39x
Derbyshire 28 0.22x
Pembrokeshire 26 0.98x
Shropshire 25 0.35x
Midlothian 24 0.22x
Cheshire 21 0.11x
Nottinghamshire 21 0.19x
Lanarkshire 13 0.05x
Royal Navy 13 1.31x
Wigtownshire 13 1.18x
Ayrshire 12 0.19x
Kirkcudbrightshire 12 1.00x
Bedfordshire 11 0.26x
Buckinghamshire 9 0.18x
Cardiganshire 9 0.44x
Rutland 8 1.31x
Carmarthenshire 5 0.14x
Isle of Man 5 0.32x
Angus 3 0.04x
Brecknockshire 2 0.12x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.01x
Denbighshire 1 0.03x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.05x
Peeblesshire 1 0.26x
Renfrewshire 1 0.02x
Ross-shire 1 0.04x
Stirlingshire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 146 Locks recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.01x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 146 2.01x
Islington London 93 1.15x
St Pancras London 92 1.37x
Camberwell 88 1.66x
Croydon 83 3.69x
Portsea 82 2.45x
Battersea 81 2.65x
Shoreditch London 78 2.16x
Barnstaple 72 26.50x
Northam 71 56.27x
St Marylebone London 69 1.55x
Aston 68 1.18x
Curry Rivell 68 151.85x
Hackney London 66 1.42x
Kensington London 61 1.32x
Milverton 61 123.51x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 54 3.52x
Southampton St Mary 52 4.85x
Bedminster 49 3.90x
Poplar London 49 3.12x
Titchfield 49 38.14x
Bermondsey 47 1.90x
Paddington London 47 1.54x
Birmingham 46 0.66x
Backwell 44 160.17x
Newington 43 1.40x
Plymouth St Andrew 43 3.22x
Bethnal Green London 37 1.02x
Greenwich 36 2.72x
Tiverton 35 11.74x
Brighton 34 1.20x
St George Hanover Square 34 2.32x
Brading 33 14.57x
Hammersmith London 33 1.61x
Tormoham 33 4.51x
Minster Lovell 32 219.93x
Tottenham 32 2.42x
West Ham 32 0.88x
Westminster St John 32 3.16x
Aller 31 230.14x
Stoke Damerel 31 2.56x
Woolwich 31 2.96x
Alverstoke 30 4.86x
Martock 30 34.47x
Mile End Old Town London 30 1.69x
St Luke London 30 2.25x
Tooting Graveney 28 24.83x
Deptford St Paul 27 1.23x
East Molesey 27 28.72x
Everton 27 0.86x
Exeter St Sidwell 27 6.81x
Kings Norton 27 2.77x
Llandaff 27 5.60x
Arreton 26 47.57x
Fordington 26 22.11x
Ilfracombe 26 14.59x
Nassington 26 127.58x
South Molton 26 27.33x
Assington 25 118.04x
Roath 25 3.80x
Stoke Ash 25 283.13x
Taunton St Mary 25 10.17x
Clerkenwell London 24 1.22x
Lee 24 5.83x
Reading St Giles 24 3.92x
Bromley London 23 1.26x
Cardiff St John 23 4.86x
Drayton 23 191.83x
Swansea Town 23 1.94x
Bishops Lydeard 22 64.40x
Chatham 22 2.82x
Chelsea London 22 0.88x
Huish Episcopi 22 115.49x
Old Sodbury 22 107.95x
Swimbridge 22 62.88x
Burghfield 21 56.86x
Nailsea 21 39.70x
North Molton 21 62.24x
Plymouth Charles The 21 2.75x
Wolverhampton 21 0.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 580
Elizabeth 329
Sarah 290
Ann 156
Jane 155
Eliza 145
Ellen 143
Alice 125
Emma 125
Emily 117
Annie 103
Fanny 77
Hannah 62
Maria 60
Louisa 59
Edith 58
Charlotte 56
Florence 51
Harriet 51
Caroline 49
Susan 49
Martha 47
Amelia 39
Catherine 37
Harriett 37
Lucy 37
Ada 35
Margaret 35
Anne 34
Kate 33
Agnes 31
Frances 29
Rose 27
Clara 26
Beatrice 22
Bessie 22
Grace 22
Jessie 22
Matilda 22
Minnie 21
Rebecca 21
Anna 20
Amy 19
Susannah 19
Julia 18
Maud 18
Sophia 17
Isabella 15
Ethel 14
Rachel 14

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 603
John 493
George 379
James 268
Henry 234
Charles 225
Thomas 217
Robert 116
Alfred 107
Frederick 96
Joseph 91
Albert 82
Samuel 77
Arthur 76
Edward 74
Walter 74
Richard 63
Frank 46
Harry 45
Ernest 41
Edwin 36
Francis 33
Wm. 28
Benjamin 25
Daniel 24
Herbert 24
Fred 16
David 15
Sidney 15
Stephen 15
Fredk. 13
Mark 13
Thos. 12
Leonard 11
Edmund 10
Geo. 10
Percy 9
Peter 9
Tom 9
Andrew 8
Isaac 8
Jesse 8
Frederic 7
Fredrick 7
Gilbert 7
Jonathan 7
Lewis 7
Saml. 7
Christopher 6
Jno. 6

FAQ

Lock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8,488 people were recorded with the Lock surname. That placed it at #499 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 9,991 in 2016. That gives Lock a modern rank of #641.

What does the Lock surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a locksmith or someone who made and repaired locks.

What does the Lock map show?

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