NameCensus.

UK surname

Matlock

Derived from a place name meaning "oak trees by a moot or meeting hill" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 163 people recorded with the Matlock surname, ranking it #14,689 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 212, ranked #18,843, down from #14,689 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Loughborough and Worplesdon , Ash. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Charnwood, Sutton and North West Leicestershire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matlock is 239 in 1997. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.1%.

1881 census count

163

Ranked #14,689

Modern count

212

2016, ranked #18,843

Peak year

1997

239 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Matlock had 163 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,689 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 212 in 2016, ranked #18,843.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 175 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Matlock surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Matlock surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Matlock 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 53 #23,739
1861 historical 132 #16,957
1881 historical 163 #14,689
1891 historical 150 #18,328
1901 historical 175 #16,469
1911 historical 146 #18,179
1997 modern 239 #15,718
1998 modern 230 #16,607
1999 modern 227 #16,834
2000 modern 229 #16,695
2001 modern 212 #17,324
2002 modern 220 #17,249
2003 modern 208 #17,685
2004 modern 219 #17,180
2005 modern 207 #17,731
2006 modern 208 #17,835
2007 modern 210 #17,904
2008 modern 211 #17,997
2009 modern 215 #18,179
2010 modern 220 #18,265
2011 modern 219 #18,145
2012 modern 216 #18,251
2013 modern 214 #18,671
2014 modern 211 #19,002
2015 modern 207 #19,155
2016 modern 212 #18,843

Geography

Back to top

Where Matlocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Loughborough, Worplesdon , Ash, Sheepshead and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Charnwood, Sutton, North West Leicestershire and South Cambridgeshire. 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 3
2 Loughborough Leicestershire
3 Worplesdon , Ash Surrey
4 Sheepshead Leicestershire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Charnwood 006 Charnwood
2 Sutton 019 Sutton
3 North West Leicestershire 002 North West Leicestershire
4 South Cambridgeshire 012 South Cambridgeshire
5 Sutton 004 Sutton

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Matlock

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Matlock

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Matlock surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Matlock household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Matlock is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Matlock 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

Matlock falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Matlock 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Matlock

The surname Matlock is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. Its earliest known roots can be traced to the place name Matlock, which refers to a town in Derbyshire, England. The name is derived from the Old English words 'mæt' meaning 'meeting' and 'loca' meaning 'enclosed place', suggesting it was once a gathering place surrounded by natural boundaries.

Matlock first appeared in written records in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled 'Metелoc'. This comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror documented the town's population and resources, providing valuable insights into its early history.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Matlock was William de Matlock, who lived in the 13th century and was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire in 1248. The Pipe Rolls were financial records maintained by the English Exchequer, indicating that William was likely a landowner or taxpayer in the region.

During the 14th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Matlok, Matloke, and Mattelok, reflecting the evolving nature of English orthography at the time. One notable bearer was John Matlok, who was recorded in the Cartulary of Burton Abbey in Staffordshire in 1389.

In the 16th century, the surname Matlock gained prominence with the rise of Sir John Matlock (1516-1588), a prominent English merchant and politician who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1573. He played a significant role in the city's governance and trade affairs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another influential figure was Sir John Matlock (1661-1720), a British naval officer who served as the Governor of Bermuda from 1701 to 1705. His tenure was marked by efforts to improve the island's defenses and infrastructure.

The surname Matlock also has connections to literary figures. One example is Mary Matlock (1684-1738), an English writer and poet whose works were published in various anthologies and magazines during the early 18th century.

In the 19th century, William Matlock (1802-1875) was a renowned American architect and engineer who designed several notable buildings, including the Old State House in Springfield, Illinois, and the Soldiers' Home in Hampton, Virginia.

While these are a few notable examples, the surname Matlock has been borne by many individuals throughout history, each contributing to the rich tapestry of its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Matlock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Matlock 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 38 Matlocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.30x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 38 21.30x
Surrey 21 2.68x
Middlesex 16 0.99x
Suffolk 13 6.63x
Cambridgeshire 11 10.79x
Kent 8 1.46x
Monmouthshire 8 6.88x
Yorkshire 7 0.44x
Essex 6 1.89x
Cheshire 5 1.41x
Hampshire 5 1.52x
Nottinghamshire 5 2.30x
Oxfordshire 4 4.02x
Lancashire 3 0.16x
Derbyshire 2 0.79x
Durham 2 0.42x
Gloucestershire 2 0.63x
Norfolk 2 0.81x
Worcestershire 2 0.95x
Bedfordshire 1 1.20x
Channel Islands 1 2.10x
Lincolnshire 1 0.39x
Royal Navy 1 5.21x
Sussex 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loughborough in Leicestershire leads with 21 Matlocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 259.26x.

Place Total Index
Loughborough 21 259.26x
Leicester St Margaret 9 20.68x
Christchurch 8 222.22x
Stradishall 8 3809.52x
Stapleford 7 2258.06x
St Marylebone London 6 6.98x
Holdenhurst 5 57.80x
Poynton 5 420.17x
Sheepshed 5 204.08x
Tonbridge 5 25.25x
Nottingham St Mary 4 7.13x
Paddington London 4 6.76x
Penge 4 38.91x
Trumpington 4 769.23x
Watlington 4 392.16x
West Ham 4 5.70x
Croydon 3 6.89x
Gorleston 3 60.24x
Guildford St Mary 3 312.50x
Newington 3 5.05x
Bow London 2 9.76x
Darenth 2 235.29x
Gateshead 2 5.58x
Keighley 2 11.76x
Kingston On Thames 2 10.62x
Litchurch 2 19.72x
Liverpool 2 1.72x
Painswick 2 89.69x
Skircoat 2 31.80x
Warley Wigorn 2 298.51x
Worplesdon 2 210.53x
Bedford St Paul 1 17.48x
Belgrave 1 24.81x
Bingley 1 9.84x
Bromley London 1 2.82x
Camberwell 1 0.97x
Colchester St Giles 1 31.85x
Eaton St Andrew 1 144.93x
Elstead 1 263.16x
Fleckney 1 238.10x
Great Glenn 1 212.77x
Ipswich St Margaret 1 15.04x
Ipswich St Nicholas 1 92.59x
Isleworth 1 13.97x
Lewisham 1 3.42x
Mansfield 1 13.32x
North Meols 1 5.35x
Norwich St Mary In Marsh 1 357.14x
Peldon 1 400.00x
Reigate Foreign 1 11.78x
Royal Navy 1 6.10x
Ruswarp 1 56.50x
South Bersted 1 43.29x
St Peter Port 1 11.34x
Stoke 1 27.03x
Sutton In Keighley 1 111.11x
Twickenham 1 14.49x
Westborough 1 1000.00x
Westminster St 1 16.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Ann 6
Elizabeth 6
Hannah 5
Sarah 5
Edith 3
Ellen 3
Emma 3
Florence 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Jane 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Agness 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Catharine 1
Charlotte 1
Elleanor 1
Esther 1
Florry 1
Harriett 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Maryann 1
Maud 1
Milicent 1
Phillis 1
Rebecca 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1
Ruth 1
Sally 1
Sybil 1
Theresa 1
Violletta 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
George 11
John 9
Thomas 7
Henry 6
James 5
Charles 4
Joseph 3
Samuel 3
Frederick 2
Alfred 1
Archibal 1
Arthur 1
Frank 1
Harry 1
Jonathan 1
Joshua 1
Lewis 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Tom. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Matlock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Matlock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 163 people were recorded with the Matlock surname. That placed it at #14,689 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Matlock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 212 in 2016. That gives Matlock a modern rank of #18,843.

What does the Matlock surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "oak trees by a moot or meeting hill" in Old English.

What does the Matlock map show?

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