NameCensus.

UK surname

Mock

An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of mockado, a woolen cloth.

In the 1881 census there were 331 people recorded with the Mock surname, ranking it #9,071 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 481, ranked #10,275, down from #9,071 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, Ilfracombe and Braunton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mock is 490 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45.3%.

1881 census count

331

Ranked #9,071

Modern count

481

2016, ranked #10,275

Peak year

1999

490 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mock had 331 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,071 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 481 in 2016, ranked #10,275.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 452 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Mock surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mock surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mock 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 288 #7,884
1861 historical 248 #9,947
1881 historical 331 #9,071
1891 historical 336 #10,158
1901 historical 410 #9,322
1911 historical 452 #8,476
1997 modern 485 #9,512
1998 modern 480 #9,909
1999 modern 490 #9,811
2000 modern 480 #9,932
2001 modern 475 #9,827
2002 modern 473 #10,043
2003 modern 459 #10,113
2004 modern 446 #10,391
2005 modern 452 #10,173
2006 modern 442 #10,388
2007 modern 442 #10,495
2008 modern 438 #10,668
2009 modern 455 #10,575
2010 modern 461 #10,701
2011 modern 456 #10,676
2012 modern 458 #10,528
2013 modern 482 #10,298
2014 modern 481 #10,387
2015 modern 478 #10,343
2016 modern 481 #10,275

Geography

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Where Mocks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton, Ilfracombe, Braunton, Landkey and Swansea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon and Pembrokeshire. 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 Barnstaple, Bishops Tawton Devon
2 Ilfracombe Devon
3 Braunton Devon
4 Landkey Devon
5 Swansea Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 010 North Devon
2 North Devon 012 North Devon
3 North Devon 007 North Devon
4 Pembrokeshire 008 Pembrokeshire
5 North Devon 009 North Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mock

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mock

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Mock surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Mock household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mock is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mock is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mock 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 Mock 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 Mock, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mock

The surname MOCK has its origins in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "moc," which referred to a mocking or derisive person, or someone who engaged in mockery or teasing.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279, where it appears as "Robert le Mock." This suggests that the name was used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a mocking or satirical personality.

In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "Mokke" and "Moke," further reinforcing its connection to the Old English word "moc." The presence of the name in medieval records indicates that it was an established surname during this period.

The MOCK surname is also associated with several place names, particularly in the counties of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. For instance, the village of Mock Beggars in Gloucestershire is believed to have derived its name from the surname, suggesting that the MOCK family may have had connections to the area.

One notable bearer of the MOCK surname was John Mock (c. 1499-1560), an English Protestant reformer and martyrologist who was burned at the stake for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary I. His account of the persecution of Protestants is recorded in John Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

Another figure of historical significance was Thomas Mock (1619-1692), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Rector of Greenford in Middlesex. He was known for his controversial writings on religious topics and his opposition to the Catholic Church.

In the 18th century, the MOCK surname gained further recognition with Sir Godfrey Mock (1732-1807), a prominent British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars.

Towards the end of the 19th century, John Mock (1861-1944), an English cricketer, made a name for himself as a right-handed batsman who played first-class cricket for Gloucestershire and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

The MOCK surname has also been associated with various locations and place names throughout England, such as Mock Beggar Hall in Gloucestershire, Mock Beggar's Hill in Worcestershire, and Mock Beggar's Bank in Somerset, further reflecting the historical presence and significance of this surname in different regions of the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mock families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mock 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 214 Mocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.84x.

County Total Index
Devon 214 31.84x
Glamorgan 34 6.05x
Middlesex 22 0.68x
Somerset 17 3.27x
Cornwall 15 4.10x
Lancashire 7 0.18x
Surrey 6 0.38x
Sussex 4 0.73x
Wiltshire 3 1.05x
Worcestershire 3 0.71x
Hampshire 2 0.30x
Gloucestershire 1 0.16x
Kent 1 0.09x
Monmouthshire 1 0.43x
Northumberland 1 0.21x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barnstaple in Devon leads with 51 Mocks recorded in 1881 and an index of 483.41x.

Place Total Index
Barnstaple 51 483.41x
Braunton 45 1973.68x
Ilfracombe 21 303.47x
Swansea Town 20 43.39x
Georgeham 16 1904.76x
Landkey 14 2121.21x
Exeter St Sidwell 9 58.48x
Mark 8 661.16x
St Stephen Coleman 8 930.23x
East Stonehouse 6 45.32x
Morthoe 6 1250.00x
Oystermouth 6 137.93x
Tawstock 6 504.20x
Exeter St Martin 5 2380.95x
Liverpool 5 2.15x
Swansea St Thomas 5 88.50x
Bideford 4 55.56x
Brighton 4 3.64x
Paddington London 4 3.37x
Poplar London 4 6.56x
St Austell 4 32.03x
St Decumans Watchet 4 303.03x
Swimbridge 4 294.12x
Barnes 3 45.11x
Bradford On Avon 3 32.82x
Chittlehampton 3 180.72x
Dudley 3 5.85x
Fremington 3 220.59x
Huntspill 3 140.85x
Moreton Hampstead 3 172.41x
Newlyn 3 192.31x
Pilton 3 135.14x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 5.79x
Creed 2 740.74x
Creed Grampound 2 454.55x
Exeter St David 2 34.84x
Kenwyn 2 20.92x
Mevagissey 2 82.30x
Plymouth Charles The 2 6.75x
Stoke Damerel 2 4.25x
Stonehouse East 2 58.65x
Willesden 2 6.57x
Alverstoke 1 4.18x
Bathwick 1 17.39x
Battersea 1 0.84x
Bermondsey 1 1.04x
Bromley London 1 1.41x
Cardiff St John 1 5.45x
Charlton Mackrell 1 312.50x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 1.64x
Clapham 1 2.48x
Exeter St Stephen 1 285.71x
Filleigh 1 270.27x
Great Bolton 1 1.97x
Greenwich 1 1.95x
Islington London 1 0.32x
Michaelstone Super Avon 1 16.42x
Newcastle On Tyne 1 192.31x
Okehampton 1 39.53x
Portsea 1 0.77x
Roath 1 3.92x
St George Hanover 1 2.37x
St Woollos 1 3.84x
West Down 1 169.49x
Westbury On Trym 1 4.66x
Whitechapel London 1 3.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 28
Elizabeth 12
Ann 9
Ellen 9
Annie 8
Emma 8
Sarah 8
Emily 6
Jane 5
Maria 5
Alice 4
Charlotte 4
Eliza 4
Harriet 4
Gertrude 3
Martha 3
Bessie 2
Blanche 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Grace 2
Hannah 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Matilda 2
Maude 2
Minnie 2
Rosina 2
Selina 2
Susanah 2
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Clara 1
Eleanor 1
Evelina 1
Faith 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Laura 1
Lena 1
Letitia 1
Lilian 1
Lilliaan 1
Lillian 1
Mabel 1
Margaret 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 18
James 13
Edward 8
George 8
Richard 7
Charles 5
Alfred 4
Henry 4
Thomas 3
Albert 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Percy 2
Peter 2
Samuel 2
Arthur 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Emmile 1
Fred 1
Fred.W. 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Kelso 1
Louis 1
Mary 1
Phillip 1
Richd.L. 1
Rictd. 1
Robert 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Varlot 1
Willie 1
Wm. 1
Wong 1

FAQ

Mock surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mock surname in 1881?

In 1881, 331 people were recorded with the Mock surname. That placed it at #9,071 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mock surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 481 in 2016. That gives Mock a modern rank of #10,275.

What does the Mock surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of mockado, a woolen cloth.

What does the Mock map show?

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