NameCensus.

UK surname

Marker

An occupational surname denoting a person who marked boundaries or was involved in the buying and selling of goods.

In the 1881 census there were 267 people recorded with the Marker surname, ranking it #10,573 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 260, ranked #16,349, down from #10,573 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Tormoham with Torquay, Budleigh, East and Llanelly. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Westminster, Wakefield and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marker is 719 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.6%.

1881 census count

267

Ranked #10,573

Modern count

260

2016, ranked #16,349

Peak year

1861

719 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Marker had 267 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,573 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 260 in 2016, ranked #16,349.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 719 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Marker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Marker surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Marker 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 251 #8,761
1861 historical 719 #3,785
1881 historical 267 #10,573
1891 historical 361 #9,589
1901 historical 220 #14,245
1911 historical 304 #11,342
1997 modern 231 #16,049
1998 modern 240 #16,117
1999 modern 232 #16,594
2000 modern 223 #16,978
2001 modern 220 #16,914
2002 modern 227 #16,877
2003 modern 227 #16,718
2004 modern 231 #16,591
2005 modern 227 #16,730
2006 modern 229 #16,748
2007 modern 226 #17,103
2008 modern 238 #16,640
2009 modern 240 #16,896
2010 modern 239 #17,280
2011 modern 254 #16,458
2012 modern 261 #16,041
2013 modern 249 #16,825
2014 modern 245 #17,140
2015 modern 252 #16,705
2016 modern 260 #16,349

Geography

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Where Markers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Tormoham with Torquay, Budleigh, East, Llanelly, Littleham (including pt Exmouth) and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Westminster, Wakefield, Taunton Deane, East Hampshire and Plymouth. 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 Tormoham with Torquay Devon
2 Budleigh, East Devon
3 Llanelly Carmarthenshire
4 Littleham (including pt Exmouth) Devon
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Westminster 012 Westminster
2 Wakefield 011 Wakefield
3 Taunton Deane 005 Taunton Deane
4 East Hampshire 006 East Hampshire
5 Plymouth 005 Plymouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Marker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Marker

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Marker is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Marker 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

Marker falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Marker

The surname Marker is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest known roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word "mære," meaning "boundary" or "landmark," suggesting that the name may have initially been given as an occupational surname to someone responsible for marking or maintaining boundaries or property lines.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1191, where a person named Richard le Merker is mentioned. This early spelling variation highlights the transition from the Old English root to its more modern form.

During the 13th century, the surname began to appear more frequently in various historical records across different regions of England. For instance, in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, a person named John le Markere is listed. This spelling variation further exemplifies the evolving nature of the name over time.

Interestingly, the surname Marker has also been associated with certain place names, such as the village of Markyate in Hertfordshire, which is believed to have derived from the Old English words "mære" and "geat," meaning "boundary gate." It is possible that some individuals with the surname may have originated from or had connections to this particular location.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Marker. One such person was William Marker (c. 1558-1624), an English clergyman who served as the Dean of Carlisle from 1610 until his death. Another prominent figure was Sir John Marker (1620-1688), an English lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Callington in Cornwall during the 17th century.

In the realm of literature, Christopher Marker (1921-2012) was a renowned French writer, filmmaker, and multimedia artist known for his influential works such as "La Jetée" and "Sans Soleil." His unique style and experimental approaches to storytelling have had a lasting impact on the world of cinema.

Additionally, the surname Marker has been associated with notable figures in various fields, including James Marker (1776-1853), an English businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the city of Leeds, and Frederick Marker (1842-1915), a German-born American architect who designed numerous notable buildings in New York City during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Marker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marker 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. Devon leads with 91 Markers recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.11x.

County Total Index
Devon 91 17.11x
Middlesex 38 1.49x
Carmarthenshire 31 28.78x
Yorkshire 12 0.47x
Glamorgan 11 2.47x
Lancashire 10 0.33x
Somerset 9 2.19x
Surrey 9 0.72x
Kent 7 0.80x
Warwickshire 7 1.09x
Sussex 6 1.39x
Cheshire 5 0.89x
Hampshire 4 0.76x
Renfrewshire 4 2.02x
Suffolk 4 1.29x
Durham 3 0.39x
Essex 3 0.59x
Staffordshire 2 0.23x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.65x
Cumberland 1 0.45x
Gloucestershire 1 0.20x
Midlothian 1 0.29x
Monmouthshire 1 0.54x
Royal Navy 1 3.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Budleigh in Devon leads with 24 Markers recorded in 1881 and an index of 956.18x.

Place Total Index
East Budleigh 24 956.18x
Llanelly 22 90.68x
Fulham London 13 35.08x
Plymouth St Andrew 13 31.72x
Tormoham 11 48.87x
Bridgewater 9 80.57x
Ottery St Mary 9 257.88x
Hackney London 7 4.89x
Tooting Graveney 7 201.73x
Huddersfield 6 16.26x
Loughor 6 254.24x
Aston 5 2.82x
Clerkenwell London 5 8.29x
Llanedy 5 246.31x
Pinhoe 5 1041.67x
Salford 5 5.61x
Dunwich 4 1818.18x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 7.77x
Gittisham 4 1025.64x
Portsea 4 3.90x
Stockport 4 13.78x
Swansea Town 4 10.96x
West Greenock 4 11.25x
Deptford St Paul 3 4.46x
Hulme 3 4.74x
Llanarthney 3 185.19x
Paddington London 3 3.19x
Payhembury 3 789.47x
Plumstead 3 10.32x
Plymouth Charles The 3 12.80x
West Ham 3 2.69x
Birmingham 2 0.93x
Chelsea London 2 2.60x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 16.42x
Exminster 2 104.71x
Hollington 2 130.72x
Hove 2 10.58x
Kensington London 2 1.41x
Sculcoates 2 4.98x
St Pancras London 2 0.97x
Uffculme 2 125.79x
Westoe 2 4.64x
Barnstaple 1 11.98x
Battersea 1 1.06x
Bishops Tawton 1 60.24x
Broad Clist 1 54.35x
Burnley 1 3.92x
Cardiff St John 1 6.88x
Cheltenham 1 2.59x
Christchurch 1 17.48x
Colyton 1 49.02x
Croydon 1 1.45x
Devonport 1 16.37x
East Stonehouse 1 9.54x
Enfield 1 5.96x
Eton 1 28.57x
Exeter Bedford Circus 1 833.33x
Exeter Heavitree 1 25.19x
Exeter St Leonard 1 68.49x
Exeter St Pancras 1 357.14x
Exeter St Petrock 1 588.24x
Great Bolton 1 2.49x
Hammersmith London 1 1.59x
Handsworth 1 4.70x
Islington London 1 0.40x
Lewisham 1 2.15x
Llanboidy 1 74.07x
Newhaven 1 28.57x
North Leith 1 6.31x
Royal Navy 1 3.84x
St George Bloomsbury 1 6.82x
St Mary Within 1 36.36x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.69x
Storrington 1 84.75x
Stranton 1 3.91x
Teigngrace 1 666.67x
Wolverhampton 1 1.51x
Yeardsley Cum Whaley 1 90.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 21
Elizabeth 11
Jane 7
Emily 5
Alice 4
Ann 4
Annie 4
Charlotte 4
Elizth. 4
Emma 4
Martha 4
Sarah 4
Isabella 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Edith 2
Frances 2
Gertrude 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Johanna 2
Laura 2
M. 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Rebecca 2
Bessie 1
Carline 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Constance 1
Doratha 1
Eliza 1
Ella 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Josepha 1
Justina 1
Kate 1
Keziah 1
M.A. 1
Maggie 1
Maude 1
Rose 1
Rossina 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 21
Thomas 13
John 12
Henry 8
James 8
George 7
Francis 6
Edward 4
Benjamin 3
Charles 3
Richard 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Alfred 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Auther 1
Bernard 1
Cecil 1
Charlie 1
Clement 1
David 1
Davied 1
Edwin 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Percy 1
Raymond 1
Reginald 1
Thos. 1
Thos.N. 1
Wallace 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Marker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Marker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 267 people were recorded with the Marker surname. That placed it at #10,573 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Marker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 260 in 2016. That gives Marker a modern rank of #16,349.

What does the Marker surname mean?

An occupational surname denoting a person who marked boundaries or was involved in the buying and selling of goods.

What does the Marker map show?

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