NameCensus.

UK surname

Luck

An English surname derived from a nickname for a person considered fortunate or having good luck.

In the 1881 census there were 2,476 people recorded with the Luck surname, ranking it #1,799 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,503, ranked #2,642, down from #1,799 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Weston Favell and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Breckland, Wellingborough and Wealden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Luck is 3,185 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.1%.

1881 census count

2,476

Ranked #1,799

Modern count

2,503

2016, ranked #2,642

Peak year

1911

3,185 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Luck had 2,476 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,799 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,503 in 2016, ranked #2,642.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,185 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Luck surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Luck surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Luck 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 1,594 #1,806
1861 historical 2,085 #1,388
1881 historical 2,476 #1,799
1891 historical 2,907 #1,621
1901 historical 2,928 #1,912
1911 historical 3,185 #1,638
1997 modern 2,684 #2,379
1998 modern 2,792 #2,380
1999 modern 2,768 #2,413
2000 modern 2,737 #2,425
2001 modern 2,668 #2,431
2002 modern 2,662 #2,479
2003 modern 2,557 #2,508
2004 modern 2,548 #2,523
2005 modern 2,504 #2,534
2006 modern 2,538 #2,518
2007 modern 2,526 #2,542
2008 modern 2,521 #2,570
2009 modern 2,566 #2,584
2010 modern 2,632 #2,584
2011 modern 2,581 #2,596
2012 modern 2,581 #2,551
2013 modern 2,606 #2,571
2014 modern 2,594 #2,594
2015 modern 2,549 #2,609
2016 modern 2,503 #2,642

Geography

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Where Lucks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Weston Favell, Tunbridge, Bidborough and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Breckland, Wellingborough, Wealden, Northampton and Tunbridge Wells. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Weston Favell Northamptonshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Breckland 002 Breckland
2 Wellingborough 010 Wellingborough
3 Wealden 008 Wealden
4 Northampton 006 Northampton
5 Tunbridge Wells 013 Tunbridge Wells

Forenames

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First names often paired with Luck

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Luck

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Luck is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Luck is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Luck falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Luck

The surname Luck originated in England and can be traced back to the early 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "luc," meaning "good fortune" or "lucky." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who was considered particularly fortunate or prosperous.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Luck appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, which mentions a John Luck. The surname is also found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1279, which lists a William Luk.

During the Middle Ages, the name Luck was primarily concentrated in the counties of Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, and Gloucestershire. It is believed that the name may have originated in the village of Luckington, located in Wiltshire, which was formerly known as "Luckintone" in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Variations in the spelling of the name were common in medieval times, with records showing forms such as Luk, Lukke, and Lucke. This was likely due to the lack of standardized spelling conventions and the influence of local dialects.

One notable bearer of the surname Luck was Sir John Luck, a prominent English politician and military leader during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century. He served as the Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1471 and played a significant role in the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, where he fought for the Yorkist cause.

Another historical figure with the surname Luck was Thomas Luck (c. 1512-1582), an English Protestant reformer and clergyman. He served as the Archdeacon of Worcester and was known for his efforts in promoting the Reformation in the region.

In the 16th century, the surname Luck was also found in the records of the Stratford-upon-Avon area, where it is believed to have been associated with a family of yeomen farmers. One such individual was William Luck (c. 1540-1610), a landowner and notable figure in the local community.

During the 17th century, the Luck surname spread to other parts of England, including London and the surrounding counties. One notable bearer of the name from this period was John Luck (c. 1630-1695), a successful merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in London.

Another prominent figure was Sir Samuel Luck (1677-1741), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his support for the Whig party.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Luck families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Luck 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. Kent leads with 504 Lucks recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.12x.

County Total Index
Kent 504 6.12x
Middlesex 430 1.78x
Sussex 299 7.35x
Northamptonshire 220 9.70x
Surrey 211 1.80x
Hertfordshire 102 6.13x
Essex 80 1.68x
Norfolk 75 2.02x
Durham 57 0.79x
Hampshire 53 1.07x
Yorkshire 53 0.22x
Bedfordshire 47 3.76x
Lincolnshire 41 1.06x
Lancashire 34 0.12x
Warwickshire 25 0.41x
Worcestershire 22 0.70x
Northumberland 20 0.56x
Buckinghamshire 19 1.30x
Cheshire 19 0.36x
Leicestershire 19 0.71x
Staffordshire 18 0.22x
Devon 13 0.26x
Gloucestershire 13 0.27x
Nottinghamshire 12 0.37x
Suffolk 11 0.37x
Derbyshire 10 0.26x
Midlothian 10 0.31x
Somerset 8 0.21x
Huntingdonshire 7 1.46x
Berkshire 6 0.33x
Lanarkshire 6 0.08x
Rutland 5 2.82x
Cambridgeshire 4 0.26x
Dorset 4 0.25x
Kirkcudbrightshire 4 1.15x
Cumberland 3 0.14x
Royal Navy 3 1.04x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.21x
Angus 1 0.04x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.15x
Flintshire 1 0.15x
Renfrewshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tonbridge in Kent leads with 58 Lucks recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.54x.

Place Total Index
Tonbridge 58 19.54x
Islington London 46 1.97x
Weston Favell 46 1010.99x
Deptford St Paul 44 6.93x
Northfleet 40 55.16x
Goudhurst 36 158.03x
West Ham 36 3.42x
Lambeth 34 1.62x
Eastbourne 33 17.63x
Chelsea London 32 4.40x
Beckley 29 285.15x
Maidstone 24 9.79x
Harpenden 23 90.69x
Clerkenwell London 22 3.86x
East Peckham 22 128.73x
Luton 22 10.17x
Newington 22 2.47x
St Pancras London 22 1.13x
Brighton 21 2.56x
Hackney London 21 1.55x
Lewisham 21 4.78x
Northampton Priory St 21 15.42x
Northampton St Sepulchre 21 18.19x
Stockton On Tees 21 6.07x
Wadhurst 20 74.88x
Wartling 20 404.04x
Brenchley 19 64.49x
Great Doddington 19 386.18x
Ealing 18 8.35x
Crayford 17 47.29x
East Dereham 17 36.28x
Salehurst 17 96.54x
Wollaston 17 136.22x
Camberwell 16 1.04x
Irchester 16 113.56x
Kensington London 16 1.19x
Mayfield 16 66.53x
St George Hanover Square 16 3.76x
St Marylebone London 16 1.24x
Tottenham 16 4.16x
Battersea 15 1.69x
Chatham 15 6.62x
Louth 15 16.97x
Portsea 15 1.55x
Shoreditch London 15 1.43x
South Mimms 15 45.34x
St George In East London 15 6.61x
Greenwich 14 3.65x
Mountfield 14 272.37x
Southwark St George Martyr 14 2.88x
Paddington London 13 1.47x
Ridgmont 13 211.04x
Aldershot 12 7.24x
Mile End Old Town London 12 2.34x
North Bedburn 12 59.82x
Northampton All Sts 12 15.59x
Kingston On Thames 11 3.90x
Lower Halstow 11 184.25x
Poplar London 11 2.42x
Wellingborough 11 9.64x
Broadwater 10 10.72x
Chipping Barnet 10 157.98x
Croydon 10 1.53x
East Barnet 10 30.32x
Guildford Holy Trinity 10 44.64x
Hambledon 10 80.39x
Hawkhurst 10 39.09x
Hemel Hempstead 10 13.35x
Lewes All Sts 10 61.73x
Macclesfield 10 4.22x
Northampton St Giles 10 11.57x
Preston 10 14.08x
St Albans St Michael 10 53.82x
Wells Next Sea 10 46.23x
Bethnal Green London 9 0.86x
Darlington 9 3.25x
Heathfield 9 54.61x
Rotherfield 9 25.13x
Spalding 9 11.76x
Wateringbury 9 83.72x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 125
Sarah 89
Elizabeth 80
Emma 49
Alice 46
Eliza 39
Ellen 37
Jane 36
Ann 33
Annie 32
Emily 31
Florence 24
Caroline 23
Charlotte 23
Louisa 22
Fanny 21
Edith 20
Hannah 20
Clara 17
Kate 17
Margaret 17
Harriett 16
Martha 16
Frances 15
Harriet 15
Anne 14
Ada 13
Minnie 12
Catherine 11
Lucy 11
Susan 11
Agnes 10
Maria 10
Elizth. 9
Sophia 8
Beatrice 7
Ethel 7
Julia 7
Rosa 7
Rose 7
Rebecca 6
Amelia 5
Amy 5
Esther 5
Lydia 5
Susannah 5
E. 4
Eleanor 4
Gertrude 4
Jessie 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 139
John 124
George 108
Thomas 86
Charles 61
James 61
Henry 59
Alfred 36
Frederick 34
Walter 27
Edward 26
Robert 26
Albert 24
Richard 24
Arthur 23
Harry 21
Samuel 18
Joseph 16
David 15
Edwin 12
Herbert 9
Frank 8
Stephen 8
Ernest 7
Wm. 7
Fredrick 6
Geo. 6
Isaac 6
Mark 6
Benjamin 5
Jabez 5
Thos. 5
Amos 4
Chas. 4
Edmund 4
Louis 4
Michael 4
Percy 4
Sidney 4
Alexander 3
Daniel 3
Francis 3
Herman 3
Horace 3
Matthew 3
Reginald 3
Reuben 3
Absalom 2
Philip 2
Ralph 2

FAQ

Luck surname: questions and answers

How common was the Luck surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,476 people were recorded with the Luck surname. That placed it at #1,799 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Luck surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,503 in 2016. That gives Luck a modern rank of #2,642.

What does the Luck surname mean?

An English surname derived from a nickname for a person considered fortunate or having good luck.

What does the Luck map show?

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