NameCensus.

UK surname

Mook

A surname of English origin meaning "monk."

In the 1881 census there were 89 people recorded with the Mook surname, ranking it #21,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 147, ranked #24,071, down from #21,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Westow, North Meols and Folkton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ryedale, Sefton and Selby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mook is 147 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 65.2%.

1881 census count

89

Ranked #21,091

Modern count

147

2016, ranked #24,071

Peak year

1891

147 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mook had 89 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016, ranked #24,071.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 147 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Mook surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mook surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mook 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 40 #26,118
1861 historical 142 #15,982
1881 historical 89 #21,091
1891 historical 147 #18,592
1901 historical 122 #20,344
1911 historical 141 #18,571
1997 modern 120 #24,158
1998 modern 125 #24,198
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 136 #23,155
2001 modern 127 #23,781
2002 modern 130 #23,903
2003 modern 129 #23,783
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 115 #25,702
2006 modern 116 #25,813
2007 modern 116 #26,209
2008 modern 120 #25,922
2009 modern 128 #25,427
2010 modern 139 #24,688
2011 modern 134 #25,050
2012 modern 130 #25,559
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 133 #25,851
2015 modern 141 #24,723
2016 modern 147 #24,071

Geography

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Where Mooks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Westow, North Meols, Folkton, Settrington and Scarborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ryedale, Sefton and Selby. 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 Westow Yorkshire, North Riding
2 North Meols Lancashire
3 Folkton Yorkshire, North Riding
4 Settrington Yorkshire, North Riding
5 Scarborough Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ryedale 007 Ryedale
2 Sefton 004 Sefton
3 Selby 007 Selby
4 Ryedale 002 Ryedale
5 Ryedale 008 Ryedale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mook

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mook

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

Central and City

Within London, Mook is most associated with areas classed as Central and City, 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

These high density central neighbourhoods are characterised by high levels of residential turnover. Few children are in evidence. Few individuals experience live with disability, with many in full-time employment or study. Levels of separation or divorce are low relative to the Supergroup average. The workforce is well-educated but not in the top flight of managerial occupations. Levels of affiliation to non-Christian religions are high.

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

Mook is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mook falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mook

The surname "MOOK" has its origins traced back to Scotland in the 15th century. It is derived from the Old English word "mook," which means "monk" or "one who lives in seclusion." This name was likely given to someone who lived a solitary life or was associated with a monastery.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "MOOK" can be found in the "Exchequer Rolls of Scotland" from the year 1456, where it was spelled as "Mooke." This suggests that the name had already been established in Scotland by the mid-15th century.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various records, including the "Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland" from 1541, where it was spelled as "Muik." This variation in spelling was common during that time period as standardized spellings were not yet established.

The name "MOOK" is also linked to several place names in Scotland, such as Mookhill in Ayrshire and Mookburn in Dumfriesshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling or derived their names from individuals bearing the surname.

One notable person with the surname "MOOK" was John Mook, a Scottish philosopher and theologian who lived in the late 16th century. He was born in Ayrshire around 1550 and became a professor of philosophy at the University of Glasgow in 1577.

Another individual of historical significance was William Mook, a Scottish merchant and explorer who traveled to the Americas in the early 17th century. He was born in Edinburgh in 1585 and is known for his journal documenting his experiences in the New World.

In the 18th century, the name "MOOK" appeared in the "Old Parochial Registers of Scotland," which recorded births, marriages, and deaths. One such entry from 1732 mentions a John Mook, who was born in Lanarkshire.

An influential figure from the 19th century was James Mook, a Scottish educator and author born in Glasgow in 1812. He wrote several books on teaching methods and served as the headmaster of a prestigious school in Edinburgh.

During the early 20th century, a notable person with the surname "MOOK" was Margaret Mook, a Scottish suffragette and activist born in Aberdeen in 1876. She played a significant role in the women's rights movement and advocated for voting rights for women.

While the surname "MOOK" is not as common as some other Scottish surnames, it has a rich history and can be traced back to its monastic roots in the 15th century. The name has been carried by scholars, merchants, explorers, educators, and activists throughout the centuries, leaving a lasting impact on Scottish history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mook families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mook 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. Yorkshire leads with 81 Mooks recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.52x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 81 9.52x
Lancashire 4 0.39x
Somerset 3 2.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Langton in Yorkshire leads with 12 Mooks recorded in 1881 and an index of 15000.00x.

Place Total Index
Langton 12 15000.00x
Westow 10 10000.00x
Settrington 9 5625.00x
Sinnington 9 10000.00x
Lissett 6 20000.00x
Allerston 5 3846.15x
Chadderton 4 80.32x
Folkton Flixton 4 4000.00x
Scarborough 4 51.75x
York St Lawrence 4 449.44x
Frome 3 90.91x
Ebberston 2 1176.47x
Hilderthorpe 2 465.12x
Hovingham 2 1111.11x
Middlesbrough 2 18.05x
Fraisthorpe 1 3333.33x
Howsham 1 2000.00x
New Malton 1 98.04x
Norton In Malton 1 97.09x
Scagglethorpe 1 1428.57x
Scampston 1 1428.57x
Swinton Broughton In 1 769.23x
Wintringham 1 1000.00x
York All Sts Peasholme 1 714.29x
York St Cuthbert 1 128.21x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

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 Mook households.

FAQ

Mook surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mook surname in 1881?

In 1881, 89 people were recorded with the Mook surname. That placed it at #21,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mook surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 147 in 2016. That gives Mook a modern rank of #24,071.

What does the Mook surname mean?

A surname of English origin meaning "monk."

What does the Mook map show?

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