NameCensus.

UK surname

Look

A surname derived from the Middle English word "loke," referring to someone who lived near an enclosure or lock.

In the 1881 census there were 155 people recorded with the Look surname, ranking it #15,174 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, down from #15,174 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street, London parishes and Ditcheat, West Bradley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Herefordshire and Basingstoke and Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Look is 518 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 18.7%.

1881 census count

155

Ranked #15,174

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

1861

518 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Look had 155 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,174 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 518 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Look surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Look surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Look 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 185 #11,077
1861 historical 518 #5,049
1881 historical 155 #15,174
1891 historical 267 #12,136
1901 historical 198 #15,213
1911 historical 222 #13,992
1997 modern 105 #26,188
1998 modern 110 #26,129
1999 modern 107 #26,754
2000 modern 102 #27,425
2001 modern 94 #28,246
2002 modern 101 #27,766
2003 modern 98 #28,046
2004 modern 107 #26,899
2005 modern 105 #27,203
2006 modern 101 #28,125
2007 modern 96 #29,339
2008 modern 104 #28,341
2009 modern 95 #30,393
2010 modern 110 #28,666
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 112 #28,174
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 116 #28,253
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Looks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street, London parishes, Ditcheat, West Bradley and Meare. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Herefordshire and Basingstoke and Deane. 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 Glastonbury St Benedict and St John, Street Somerset
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Ditcheat, West Bradley Somerset
5 Meare Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 012 Mendip
2 Mendip 014 Mendip
3 Herefordshire 023 Herefordshire, County of
4 Mendip 013 Mendip
5 Basingstoke and Deane 004 Basingstoke and Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Look

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Look

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Look surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Look household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Look is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Look is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Look 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 Look is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Look

The surname LOOK is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "lōc," which meant "enclosure" or "meadow." This suggests that the name may have been used to identify someone who lived near a meadow or enclosed area.

The earliest known record of the LOOK surname appears in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it is spelled "Lok." This document lists landowners and tenants in the area, indicating that the name was associated with landed gentry or freeholders at the time.

In the 14th century, the LOOK surname can be found in various court records and legal documents, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where it is spelled "Loke." These records provide insights into the lives and activities of individuals bearing the name during this period.

One notable bearer of the LOOK surname was John Loke, a wealthy merchant and landowner who lived in Norfolk in the late 15th century. Records indicate that he owned substantial properties and was involved in trade and commerce.

Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Lok (1515-1597), an English merchant and explorer who played a significant role in the early English voyages to the Americas. He financed several expeditions and wrote accounts of his travels, which provide valuable insights into the time period.

In the 17th century, the LOOK surname appears in parish records and other historical documents across various regions of England, indicating its widespread distribution. One example is William Looke (1620-1672), a clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

The LOOK surname also has variations in spelling, such as Looke, Lok, Loke, and Locke. These variations likely arose due to regional differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time.

Throughout history, the LOOK surname has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including merchants, landowners, clergymen, and explorers. While the name may have initially been associated with geographical features or occupations, it has since become a widespread surname with a rich history in England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Look families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Look 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. Somerset leads with 63 Looks recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.89x.

County Total Index
Somerset 63 25.89x
Middlesex 28 1.85x
Lancashire 9 0.50x
Surrey 8 1.09x
Warwickshire 7 1.84x
Hampshire 6 1.94x
Berkshire 5 4.41x
Northamptonshire 5 3.52x
Staffordshire 5 0.98x
Glamorgan 3 1.14x
Kent 3 0.58x
Norfolk 3 1.29x
Devon 2 0.64x
Gloucestershire 2 0.67x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.09x
Derbyshire 1 0.42x
Dorset 1 1.01x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.49x
Suffolk 1 0.54x
Sussex 1 0.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Butleigh in Somerset leads with 16 Looks recorded in 1881 and an index of 4000.00x.

Place Total Index
Butleigh 16 4000.00x
Ditcheat 14 3333.33x
Westminster St John 9 48.89x
Salford 8 15.16x
Aston 7 6.67x
Almsford 6 4000.00x
Meare 5 684.93x
Walsall Foreign 5 18.97x
West Pennard 5 1282.05x
Bermondsey 4 8.89x
Glastonbury 4 201.01x
Kings Worthy 4 1739.13x
Martock 4 253.16x
Newbury 4 110.19x
Barton St David 3 1764.71x
Cardiff St John 3 34.88x
Chelsea London 3 6.58x
Chiswick 3 36.32x
East Dereham 3 102.04x
Frimley 3 142.86x
St George Hanover Square 3 11.26x
Wellingborough 3 41.96x
Bristol St Nicholas 2 377.36x
Heston 2 39.84x
Lewisham 2 7.27x
Northover 2 4000.00x
Paddington London 2 3.60x
Shoreditch London 2 3.05x
St George Martyr London 2 65.36x
Tintinhull 2 952.38x
Westminster St Margaret 2 27.43x
Ashby St Ledgers 1 714.29x
Chatham 1 7.05x
Chesterfield 1 11.27x
East Budleigh 1 67.57x
Ellesborough 1 312.50x
Ipswich St Mathew 1 19.38x
Kettering 1 17.39x
Little Woolton 1 192.31x
Lockerley 1 322.58x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.90x
Portsea 1 1.65x
Preston 1 22.47x
Reading St Mary 1 11.00x
Stoke Damerel 1 4.54x
Streatham 1 8.91x
Westonsuper Mare 1 200.00x
Wootton Fitzpaine 1 833.33x
Yeovilton 1 833.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Elizabeth 5
Jane 5
Sarah 4
Fanny 3
Lucy 3
Ada 2
Ann 2
Anna 2
Bertha 2
Caroline 2
Edith 2
Emma 2
Emmeline 2
Florence 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Bessie 1
Betty 1
Charlotte 1
Drucilla 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Fanney 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Henrietta 1
Jenette 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lilian 1
May 1
Myra 1
Nellie 1
Pamela 1
Rebecca 1
Susanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 10
William 9
George 7
Thomas 6
Robert 5
Charles 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Henry 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alfred 2
James 2
Wm. 2
Augustus 1
Earnest 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Jane 1
Joseph 1
Julius 1
Mabey 1
Stanley 1
Tom 1
Wm.F. 1

FAQ

Look surname: questions and answers

How common was the Look surname in 1881?

In 1881, 155 people were recorded with the Look surname. That placed it at #15,174 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Look surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Look a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Look surname mean?

A surname derived from the Middle English word "loke," referring to someone who lived near an enclosure or lock.

What does the Look map show?

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