UK surname
Derived from the Greek word "markos," meaning an inhabitant of the Byzantine frontier regions.
In the 1881 census there were 93 people recorded with the Markes surname, ranking it #20,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 44, ranked #35,224, down from #20,593 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Budleigh, East and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Markes is 228 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.7%.
1881 census count
93
Ranked #20,593
Modern count
44
2016, ranked #35,224
Peak year
1861
228 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Markes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Markes surname density by area, 1891 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 | 125 | #14,700 |
| 1861 | historical | 228 | #10,703 |
| 1881 | historical | 93 | #20,593 |
| 1891 | historical | 121 | #21,169 |
| 1901 | historical | 80 | #25,251 |
| 1911 | historical | 77 | #25,106 |
| 1997 | modern | 41 | #33,552 |
| 1998 | modern | 41 | #33,747 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 45 | #33,526 |
| 2001 | modern | 48 | #33,129 |
| 2002 | modern | 50 | #33,282 |
| 2003 | modern | 45 | #33,803 |
| 2004 | modern | 41 | #34,306 |
| 2005 | modern | 41 | #34,478 |
| 2006 | modern | 38 | #35,003 |
| 2007 | modern | 37 | #35,215 |
| 2008 | modern | 43 | #34,931 |
| 2009 | modern | 43 | #35,088 |
| 2010 | modern | 46 | #35,062 |
| 2011 | modern | 48 | #34,926 |
| 2012 | modern | 37 | #35,531 |
| 2013 | modern | 40 | #35,439 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 41 | #35,383 |
| 2016 | modern | 44 | #35,224 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Budleigh, East, St Marylebone, Walsall and Sevenoaks. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Budleigh, East | Devon |
| 3 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Walsall | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Sevenoaks | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Markes 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 Markes, 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 Markes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Markes 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, Markes 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 Markes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Markes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Markes is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "mearc," which means "boundary" or "frontier." This name was initially used to identify individuals who lived near a boundary or border region.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Markes can be traced back to the 13th century in various parts of England, particularly in counties like Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. It was often spelled in different variations, such as Marke, Marks, and Markes, reflecting the regional dialects and spelling conventions of the time.
One of the earliest known references to the surname Markes can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, which mentions a certain John Markes. This document provides valuable insight into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that period.
During the Middle Ages, the surname Markes was sometimes associated with place names that incorporated the word "mark" or "march," referring to a boundary or borderland. For instance, the village of Marck in Calais, France, may have contributed to the surname's development.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Markes throughout history include:
1. William Markes (c. 1480 - 1537), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Calne during the reign of Henry VIII. 2. Robert Markes (1610 - 1685), a Puritan minister and author from Essex, England, known for his religious writings. 3. Thomas Markes (1735 - 1811), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and later became an Admiral of the Blue. 4. Elizabeth Markes (1792 - 1858), a British author and poet, recognized for her collections of poems and novels. 5. James Markes (1827 - 1901), a Scottish-born Australian explorer and surveyor, credited with discovering and mapping large portions of Western Australia's interior regions.
While the surname Markes has its roots in Old English, it has spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. Over time, it has undergone slight variations in spelling and pronunciation, reflecting the diverse linguistic influences encountered in different regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Markes 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. Lancashire leads with 14 Markes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.30x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 14 | 1.30x |
| Middlesex | 14 | 1.54x |
| Buckinghamshire | 9 | 16.41x |
| Staffordshire | 9 | 2.94x |
| Cornwall | 8 | 7.79x |
| Devon | 7 | 3.71x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.58x |
| Somerset | 6 | 4.11x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 2.81x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 1.75x |
| Caernarfonshire | 3 | 8.18x |
| Worcestershire | 3 | 2.53x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 2.13x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.50x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.56x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.34x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradwell in Buckinghamshire leads with 9 Markes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1168.83x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bradwell | 9 | 1168.83x |
| Walsall Foreign | 9 | 56.89x |
| St Austell | 8 | 227.92x |
| Manchester | 7 | 14.46x |
| St Botolph Aldgate | 7 | 564.52x |
| Habergham Eaves | 6 | 60.98x |
| Southwark St Olave | 5 | 724.64x |
| Stroud | 5 | 144.51x |
| Coventry St Michael | 4 | 54.42x |
| Bangor | 3 | 84.75x |
| Kensington London | 3 | 5.95x |
| Wilton | 3 | 789.47x |
| Halberton | 2 | 454.55x |
| Lower Mitton | 2 | 192.31x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 2 | 24.04x |
| Plympton St Mary | 2 | 183.49x |
| Reigate Foreign | 2 | 41.75x |
| St Marylebone London | 2 | 4.13x |
| Cheddon Fitzpaine | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Chester St John Baptist | 1 | 27.78x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.97x |
| Little Baddow | 1 | 588.24x |
| Odell | 1 | 769.23x |
| Old Monkland | 1 | 8.59x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 2.54x |
| Staplegrove | 1 | 555.56x |
| Taunton St Mary | 1 | 37.31x |
| Tenbury | 1 | 153.85x |
| Tiverton | 1 | 30.77x |
| West Derby | 1 | 3.18x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Markes 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 Markes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Markes households.
FAQ
In 1881, 93 people were recorded with the Markes surname. That placed it at #20,593 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 44 in 2016. That gives Markes a modern rank of #35,224.
Derived from the Greek word "markos," meaning an inhabitant of the Byzantine frontier regions.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Markes 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.