NameCensus.

UK surname

Marks

An occupational surname for someone who lived near a boundary or border, or who was a marker of boundaries.

In the 1881 census there were 6,112 people recorded with the Marks surname, ranking it #715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8,890, ranked #735, down from #715 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Christ Church Spitalfields and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Uttlesford, Hertsmere and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marks is 9,344 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.5%.

1881 census count

6,112

Ranked #715

Modern count

8,890

2016, ranked #735

Peak year

1998

9,344 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Marks had 6,112 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #715 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 8,890 in 2016, ranked #735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8,988 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Marks surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Marks surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Marks 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 3,627 #783
1861 historical 3,944 #708
1881 historical 6,112 #715
1891 historical 6,861 #658
1901 historical 8,255 #650
1911 historical 8,988 #547
1997 modern 8,993 #701
1998 modern 9,344 #703
1999 modern 9,309 #711
2000 modern 9,178 #719
2001 modern 8,902 #725
2002 modern 9,144 #724
2003 modern 8,983 #716
2004 modern 8,915 #724
2005 modern 8,720 #728
2006 modern 8,672 #737
2007 modern 8,777 #734
2008 modern 8,699 #743
2009 modern 8,920 #742
2010 modern 9,179 #738
2011 modern 9,021 #741
2012 modern 8,855 #737
2013 modern 9,036 #733
2014 modern 9,068 #735
2015 modern 8,929 #738
2016 modern 8,890 #735

Geography

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Where Marks' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Christ Church Spitalfields, London parishes and St Mary Whitechapel. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Uttlesford, Hertsmere and Barnet. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Christ Church Spitalfields London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 1
4 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Uttlesford 002 Uttlesford
2 Hertsmere 013 Hertsmere
3 Barnet 033 Barnet
4 Barnet 014 Barnet
5 Barnet 037 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Marks

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Marks

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Marks is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Marks 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

Marks falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Marks

The surname Marks has its origins in England and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the personal name Mark, which itself comes from the Latin name Marcus, meaning "consecrated to the god Mars." The name Mark was popularized throughout Europe due to its association with the evangelist St. Mark.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Marks surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Marchus." This suggests that the surname was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Over time, the spelling evolved to include variations such as Markes, Markys, and Marks.

During the medieval period, the Marks surname was prevalent in various parts of England, particularly in counties like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. This is evident from records of individuals bearing the name, such as Walter Markes, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195.

The Marks surname has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such figure is Thomas Marks (1617-1667), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Norfolk and wrote several religious works. Another notable bearer of the surname was Sir John Marks (1632-1700), an English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1693.

In the realm of literature, the surname Marks is associated with the English poet and playwright Thomas Marks (1741-1809), known for his satirical works and comedies. Additionally, John Marks (1820-1888), an English artist and engraver, gained recognition for his landscape paintings and engravings depicting scenes from the English countryside.

Another notable figure with the Marks surname is Benjamin Marks (1830-1896), an English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the City of London School and the former headquarters of the Prudential Assurance Company.

While these are just a few examples, the Marks surname has a rich history that spans various fields and time periods, reflecting its enduring presence in England and its significance in the country's cultural and historical tapestry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Marks families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marks 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. Middlesex leads with 1,354 Marks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.26x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1,354 2.26x
Devon 508 4.08x
Somerset 505 5.25x
Surrey 498 1.71x
Lancashire 326 0.46x
Cornwall 314 4.64x
Yorkshire 247 0.42x
Hampshire 227 1.85x
Kent 193 0.95x
Warwickshire 166 1.10x
Glamorgan 155 1.49x
Wiltshire 152 2.88x
Gloucestershire 143 1.22x
Buckinghamshire 142 3.93x
Staffordshire 132 0.65x
Worcestershire 113 1.45x
Northamptonshire 94 1.67x
Berkshire 87 1.94x
Sussex 68 0.67x
Dorset 66 1.68x
Durham 62 0.35x
Lanarkshire 57 0.29x
Northumberland 55 0.62x
Carmarthenshire 52 2.06x
Essex 52 0.44x
Hertfordshire 40 0.97x
Monmouthshire 39 0.90x
Nottinghamshire 27 0.34x
Lincolnshire 23 0.24x
Suffolk 23 0.32x
Cheshire 21 0.16x
Derbyshire 21 0.22x
Bedfordshire 19 0.61x
Renfrewshire 19 0.41x
Caernarfonshire 18 0.74x
Oxfordshire 18 0.49x
Cambridgeshire 16 0.42x
Channel Islands 11 0.62x
Cardiganshire 10 0.69x
Shropshire 10 0.19x
Leicestershire 9 0.14x
Royal Navy 7 0.98x
Pembrokeshire 6 0.32x
Midlothian 5 0.06x
Angus 4 0.07x
Norfolk 4 0.04x
Ayrshire 2 0.04x
Rutland 2 0.46x
Stirlingshire 2 0.09x
Denbighshire 1 0.04x
Roxburghshire 1 0.09x
Westmorland 1 0.08x
Wigtownshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 131 Marks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.26x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 131 2.26x
Mile End Old Town 121 12.82x
Whitechapel London 110 18.67x
Spitalfields London 90 20.02x
Birmingham 80 1.59x
St George In East 80 19.67x
Bermondsey 74 4.16x
Hackney London 72 2.15x
Leeds 65 1.94x
Kensington London 64 1.93x
St Pancras London 63 1.31x
Battersea 58 2.64x
Great Horwood 57 391.21x
Manchester 57 1.79x
Bethnal Green London 56 2.16x
St Marylebone London 56 1.75x
Paddington London 53 2.41x
Shoreditch London 52 2.01x
Lambeth 50 0.96x
Bedminster 49 5.42x
Camberwell 49 1.28x
South Petherton 49 98.63x
Wellington 42 32.19x
Aston 41 0.99x
Hampstead London 41 4.40x
Liverpool 38 0.88x
North Petherton 38 48.96x
Stoke Upon Trent 36 1.68x
Cheetham 35 6.62x
Portsea 35 1.46x
St Botolph Aldgate 35 42.89x
Newington 34 1.54x
Everton 32 1.42x
Southwark St George Martyr 32 2.66x
Woodbury 32 86.74x
Cardiff St Mary 31 5.41x
Plymouth St Andrew 30 3.13x
Walcot 30 5.85x
Westgate 29 5.27x
Salford 28 1.34x
Brighton 27 1.33x
Edgbaston 27 5.78x
Drewsteignton 26 157.86x
Roath 26 5.50x
Wandsworth 26 4.52x
St Giles In Fields 25 12.13x
East Stonehouse 24 9.79x
Melksham 24 26.15x
Milton 24 161.29x
Whilton 24 331.49x
Folkestone 23 5.81x
Stoke Damerel 22 2.53x
Bow London 21 2.76x
Camborne 21 7.53x
Llanelly 21 3.70x
Mile End New Town 21 25.73x
Plymouth Charles The 21 3.83x
West Ham 21 0.81x
Gittisham 20 218.10x
Otterbourne 20 114.16x
St Anne Soho London 20 5.86x
Stoke Newington London 20 4.30x
Clifton 18 3.04x
Rotherhithe 18 2.44x
St Just In Penwith 18 13.71x
St Neot 18 67.52x
Greenwich 17 1.79x
Kingsbury Episcopi 17 54.56x
Lewisham 17 1.56x
Liskeard 17 15.01x
Marazion 17 209.88x
Redruth 17 8.88x
Winslow 17 49.96x
Leatherhead 16 21.93x
St Woollos 16 3.32x
Westoe 16 1.59x
Winkfield 16 21.49x
Govan 15 0.31x
Poplar London 15 1.33x
Swansea Town 15 1.76x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 293
Elizabeth 209
Sarah 204
Jane 107
Annie 95
Emma 94
Ann 87
Ellen 84
Eliza 80
Emily 76
Alice 59
Hannah 53
Louisa 50
Fanny 43
Catherine 41
Maria 41
Florence 40
Kate 40
Caroline 38
Charlotte 37
Harriet 37
Martha 37
Amelia 33
Edith 33
Esther 33
Rebecca 33
Susan 33
Anne 31
Rachel 30
Rose 27
Ada 25
Margaret 25
Amy 22
Bessie 22
Frances 21
Minnie 20
Harriett 19
Julia 19
Anna 18
Agnes 17
Lucy 17
Sophia 17
Eleanor 16
Matilda 16
Clara 15
Lydia 15
Leah 14
Phoebe 14
Henrietta 13
Jessie 13

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 342
John 275
Thomas 157
George 143
Henry 139
James 135
Charles 104
Joseph 97
Samuel 83
Richard 73
Alfred 69
Frederick 56
Edward 53
Robert 49
David 48
Albert 42
Arthur 41
Harry 38
Walter 34
Abraham 33
Isaac 29
Ernest 26
Francis 26
Frank 25
Lewis 21
Mark 20
Jacob 19
Solomon 19
Edwin 18
Morris 18
Benjamin 14
Herbert 14
Harris 13
Fred 12
Philip 12
Wm. 12
Elias 11
Fredk. 11
Sidney 11
Chas. 10
Louis 10
Michael 10
Aaron 9
Hyman 9
Daniel 8
Peter 8
Sydney 8
Thos. 8
Eli 7
Israel 6

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 Marks households.

FAQ

Marks surname: questions and answers

How common was the Marks surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6,112 people were recorded with the Marks surname. That placed it at #715 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Marks surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 8,890 in 2016. That gives Marks a modern rank of #735.

What does the Marks surname mean?

An occupational surname for someone who lived near a boundary or border, or who was a marker of boundaries.

What does the Marks map show?

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