NameCensus.

UK surname

Mak

A Chinese surname meaning "free from" or "clean," or a nickname for someone with a humble personality.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Mak surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 844, ranked #6,621, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cambridge, Camden and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mak is 844 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11957.1%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

844

2016, ranked #6,621

Peak year

2016

844 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mak had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 844 in 2016, ranked #6,621.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mak surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mak surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mak 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 13 #30,970
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1997 modern 500 #9,304
1998 modern 558 #8,824
1999 modern 557 #8,897
2000 modern 565 #8,761
2001 modern 565 #8,627
2002 modern 593 #8,527
2003 modern 618 #8,139
2004 modern 637 #7,953
2005 modern 664 #7,660
2006 modern 692 #7,421
2007 modern 718 #7,283
2008 modern 722 #7,305
2009 modern 751 #7,235
2010 modern 791 #7,095
2011 modern 782 #7,080
2012 modern 771 #7,073
2013 modern 810 #6,879
2014 modern 820 #6,837
2015 modern 829 #6,722
2016 modern 844 #6,621

Geography

Back to top

Where Maks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cambridge, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham, Birmingham and Westminster. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
2 Camden 025 Camden
3 Hammersmith and Fulham 021 Hammersmith and Fulham
4 Birmingham 096 Birmingham
5 Westminster 018 Westminster

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mak

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mak

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Mak surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mak 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Mak 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

Mak is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mak falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mak is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Mak

The surname "MAK" is believed to have originated in Scotland during the medieval period. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "mac," which means "son of." This prefix was commonly used to denote a person's paternal lineage, indicating that the surname "Mak" likely referred to the son of someone with a particular name or occupation.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "Mak" can be traced back to the 13th century in Scotland. In the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a document recording the names of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England, several individuals bearing the surname "Mak" are listed, including Adam Mak and Gillemor Mak.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various Scottish records and manuscripts, such as the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1359, which mention a John Mak. The Mak surname was particularly prevalent in the regions of Angus, Fife, and Lothian during this time period.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname "Mak" was Sir John Mak, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. He played a significant role in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where the Scottish forces decisively defeated the English army.

Another prominent individual with the surname "Mak" was Robert Mak, a 15th-century Scottish poet and courtier. He served as a clerk to King James II of Scotland and is best known for his work "The Lament for the Makaris," a poetic tribute to his fellow Scottish poets who had passed away.

In the 16th century, the surname "Mak" appeared in various legal and ecclesiastical records across Scotland. For example, in the Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland from 1541, a Thomas Mak is mentioned as a resident of Edinburgh.

During the 17th century, the spelling variations of the surname became more diverse, with forms such as "Mack," "Mack," and "Mack" emerging. One notable figure from this era was John Mack, a Scottish minister and theologian born in 1624, who served as the principal of the University of Glasgow.

The surname "Mak" has also been associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Makerstoun in the Scottish Borders, which may have derived its name from the presence of individuals bearing the surname "Mak" in the area.

Throughout history, the surname "Mak" has been carried by numerous individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, soldiers, poets, and clergymen, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those bearing this ancient Scottish name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mak families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mak 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. Leicestershire leads with 5 Maks recorded in 1881 and an index of 77.16x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 5 77.16x
Lancashire 1 1.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barrow Upon Soar in Leicestershire leads with 5 Maks recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Barrow Upon Soar 5 10000.00x
Great Crosby 1 526.32x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Helen 1
Liley 1
Rosehetta 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Abraham 1
John 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mak households.

FAQ

Mak surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mak surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Mak surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mak surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 844 in 2016. That gives Mak a modern rank of #6,621.

What does the Mak surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "free from" or "clean," or a nickname for someone with a humble personality.

What does the Mak map show?

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