UK surname
A topographic surname derived from living near a body of water or lock gates.
In the 1881 census there were 57 people recorded with the Locks surname, ranking it #25,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #25,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes and Boston (incl. Boston allotments). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Locks is 199 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14.0%.
1881 census count
57
Ranked #25,575
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1861
199 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Locks surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Locks surname density by area, 1911 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 | 69 | #21,148 |
| 1861 | historical | 199 | #12,062 |
| 1881 | historical | 57 | #25,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 162 | #17,390 |
| 1901 | historical | 88 | #24,270 |
| 1911 | historical | 117 | #20,757 |
| 1997 | modern | 70 | #30,618 |
| 1998 | modern | 66 | #31,387 |
| 1999 | modern | 72 | #30,955 |
| 2000 | modern | 67 | #31,473 |
| 2001 | modern | 67 | #31,297 |
| 2002 | modern | 70 | #31,432 |
| 2003 | modern | 67 | #31,796 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 70 | #32,240 |
| 2007 | modern | 72 | #32,397 |
| 2008 | modern | 70 | #32,856 |
| 2009 | modern | 68 | #33,341 |
| 2010 | modern | 69 | #33,560 |
| 2011 | modern | 71 | #33,392 |
| 2012 | modern | 64 | #34,028 |
| 2013 | modern | 63 | #34,193 |
| 2014 | modern | 61 | #34,343 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Boston (incl. Boston allotments), Lambeth and St John Hackney. 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 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Boston (incl. Boston allotments) | Lincolnshire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Locks 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 Locks, 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 Locks surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Locks 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, Locks 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 Locks is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Locks, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname LOCKS is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "loc," meaning a lock or enclosure, referring to someone who lived near a type of enclosure or lock.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname LOCKS can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire, dated 1196, where a Robert de Lockes is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, the surname appears in various forms, such as Lok, Lokke, and Lockes, reflecting the variations in spelling during that time. One notable example is Richard Lok, a merchant and explorer from London, who was born around 1553 and is known for his travels to West Africa and the Americas.
The name LOCKS is also associated with several place names in England, such as Lockley in Shropshire and Lockinge in Berkshire, which may have contributed to the development of the surname. It is possible that some families adopted the surname based on their place of origin or residence.
Throughout history, the LOCKS surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life. One notable figure was John Locke, the renowned English philosopher and physician, who was born in 1632 and is considered one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. His works on natural rights, social contract theory, and empiricism had a profound impact on Western thought.
Another prominent individual with the LOCKS surname was Matthew Locke, an English composer born in 1621, who is considered one of the most significant figures in the development of English Baroque music. His works include operas, instrumental pieces, and music for the church.
In the 18th century, John Locke, born in 1764, was a notable English engineer who made significant contributions to the development of the modern water turbine and the use of compressed air in mining operations.
Moving into the 19th century, Mary Roberts Rinehart, born in 1876, was an American writer and playwright known for her mystery novels and plays. Her surname, Rinehart, is a variant of the LOCKS surname, reflecting the spelling variations that occurred over time.
Throughout its history, the LOCKS surname has been carried by individuals from different backgrounds and professions, reflecting the diverse experiences and contributions of those who bear this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Locks 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. Middlesex leads with 16 Locks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.04x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 16 | 3.04x |
| Lincolnshire | 14 | 16.62x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.56x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 5.14x |
| Sussex | 3 | 3.38x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 1.94x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 2.55x |
| Warwickshire | 2 | 1.51x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 2.54x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 3.00x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.21x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.91x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.96x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.56x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.16x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.56x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Boston in Lincolnshire leads with 9 Locks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 351.56x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | 9 | 351.56x |
| Hackney London | 6 | 20.32x |
| Battersea | 3 | 15.48x |
| Hornsey | 3 | 45.05x |
| Skegness | 3 | 1250.00x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 8.74x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 4.52x |
| Bromley London | 2 | 17.26x |
| Byker | 2 | 51.68x |
| Cheltenham | 2 | 25.09x |
| Hungarton | 2 | 2500.00x |
| Skirbeck | 2 | 425.53x |
| Spitalfields London | 2 | 50.51x |
| Blackburn | 1 | 6.01x |
| Brighton | 1 | 5.58x |
| Dorking | 1 | 58.14x |
| Hailsham | 1 | 185.19x |
| Hastings Holy Trinity | 1 | 153.85x |
| Hythe St Leonard | 1 | 156.25x |
| Loughborough | 1 | 37.74x |
| Muirkirk | 1 | 107.53x |
| Sedgley | 1 | 15.15x |
| Sutton On Hill | 1 | 1428.57x |
| West Ham | 1 | 4.36x |
| Whittlesey St Mary St | 1 | 85.47x |
| Willesden | 1 | 20.12x |
| Wolborough | 1 | 71.94x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Locks 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 Locks surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 57 people were recorded with the Locks surname. That placed it at #25,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Locks a modern rank of #34,017.
A topographic surname derived from living near a body of water or lock gates.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Locks 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.