NameCensus.

UK surname

Nicks

A patronymic surname derived from the given name Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people."

In the 1881 census there were 200 people recorded with the Nicks surname, ranking it #12,836 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 277, ranked #15,619, down from #12,836 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Paignton, St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone and Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Devon, Teignbridge and West Oxfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nicks is 287 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.5%.

1881 census count

200

Ranked #12,836

Modern count

277

2016, ranked #15,619

Peak year

2014

287 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Nicks had 200 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,836 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 277 in 2016, ranked #15,619.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 286 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Nicks surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nicks surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Nicks 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 193 #10,704
1861 historical 241 #10,192
1881 historical 200 #12,836
1891 historical 241 #13,089
1901 historical 237 #13,574
1911 historical 286 #11,810
1997 modern 249 #15,319
1998 modern 265 #15,087
1999 modern 270 #14,992
2000 modern 266 #15,096
2001 modern 260 #15,113
2002 modern 263 #15,277
2003 modern 254 #15,454
2004 modern 250 #15,695
2005 modern 253 #15,514
2006 modern 261 #15,289
2007 modern 266 #15,261
2008 modern 269 #15,260
2009 modern 275 #15,349
2010 modern 279 #15,529
2011 modern 272 #15,653
2012 modern 261 #16,041
2013 modern 279 #15,574
2014 modern 287 #15,342
2015 modern 275 #15,707
2016 modern 277 #15,619

Geography

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Where Nicks' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Paignton, St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone, Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken and Woodbury, Aylesbeare. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mid Devon, Teignbridge, West Oxfordshire, County Durham and Gateshead. 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 Paignton Devon
2 St Thomas the Apostle, Whitestone Devon
3 Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish Devon
4 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
5 Woodbury, Aylesbeare Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mid Devon 009 Mid Devon
2 Teignbridge 010 Teignbridge
3 West Oxfordshire 001 West Oxfordshire
4 County Durham 048 County Durham
5 Gateshead 021 Gateshead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Nicks

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Nicks

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

London Fringe

Within London, Nicks is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Nicks is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Nicks falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Nicks is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Nicks

The surname Nicks is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Middle English nickname "Nicke," which was a diminutive form of the given name Nicholas. This name ultimately traces its roots back to the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Nicks can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like document compiled in 1273. Here, a certain Robertus Nicke is mentioned, likely indicating an early bearer of the surname.

Throughout the centuries, the Nicks surname has been subject to various spelling variations, including Nickes, Nyx, and Nykes. These variations were common due to the inconsistencies in record-keeping practices and the evolution of language over time.

In the 16th century, the surname appears in the records of the Parish of Kildwick in Yorkshire, where a John Nicks was mentioned in 1583. Around the same time, a Richard Nicks was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire in 1598.

One notable bearer of the Nicks surname was Sir Robert Nicks (1612-1672), an English politician who served as a member of Parliament for Tregony in Cornwall during the 17th century. He played a role in the English Civil War and was a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause.

Another historical figure was John Nicks (1838-1923), an English cricketer who played for the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in the late 19th century. He was a right-handed batsman and a skilled wicket-keeper.

In the realm of literature, mention should be made of William Nicks (1836-1910), an English poet and journalist who wrote under the pen name "Willian Holcombe." He published several volumes of poetry, including "Lyrics and Lays" and "Verses of a Vagrom."

Across the Atlantic, one notable bearer of the Nicks surname was Elijah Nicks (1790-1865), an American farmer and politician from Tennessee. He served as a member of the Tennessee State Senate in the 1830s.

Finally, Wilbur Nicks (1901-1977) was an American baseball player who played as an outfielder in the Negro leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. He spent several seasons with the Kansas City Monarchs and was known for his defensive skills and strong throwing arm.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Nicks families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Nicks 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 82 Nicks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.09x.

County Total Index
Devon 82 20.09x
Middlesex 35 1.79x
Warwickshire 29 5.87x
Surrey 9 0.94x
Somerset 8 2.54x
Monmouthshire 5 3.53x
Norfolk 5 1.66x
Worcestershire 5 1.95x
Gloucestershire 3 0.78x
Nottinghamshire 3 1.14x
Sussex 3 0.91x
Yorkshire 3 0.15x
Essex 2 0.52x
Leicestershire 2 0.92x
Kent 1 0.15x
Lancashire 1 0.04x
Lincolnshire 1 0.32x
Northumberland 1 0.34x
Royal Navy 1 4.28x
Staffordshire 1 0.15x
Suffolk 1 0.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Coventry St Michael in Warwickshire leads with 17 Nicks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 107.05x.

Place Total Index
Coventry St Michael 17 107.05x
Paignton 17 546.62x
Bradninch 15 1304.35x
Exeter St Sidwell 10 106.95x
Exeter Alphington 9 1200.00x
St Pancras London 9 5.70x
Exeter Heavitree 7 230.26x
St Luke London 7 22.26x
Abergavenny 5 94.16x
Binham 5 1562.50x
Exeter St Kerrian 5 1724.14x
Islington London 5 2.63x
Kings Norton 5 21.78x
Staines 5 161.29x
Lyncombe Widcombe 4 48.43x
Aylesbeare 3 508.47x
Edgbaston 3 19.57x
Englishcombe 3 857.14x
Lambeth 3 1.75x
Lympston 3 410.96x
Tormoham 3 17.37x
Ashburton 2 102.56x
Bermondsey 2 3.43x
Brighton 2 3.00x
Clifton 2 10.29x
East Budleigh 2 104.17x
Exeter St Edmund 2 227.27x
Exminster 2 136.05x
Harbury 2 250.00x
Ibstock 2 126.58x
Leek Wootten 2 740.74x
Nether Hallam 2 7.61x
Nottingham St Nicholas 2 55.56x
St George Hanover 2 7.82x
St Marylebone London 2 1.91x
Barnes 1 24.75x
Battersea 1 1.39x
Bristol St Augustine 1 16.13x
Camberwell 1 0.80x
Chertsey 1 16.21x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.71x
Clerkenwell London 1 2.16x
Colchester St Botolph 1 30.40x
Colchester St Mary At 1 72.99x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.94x
Ealing 1 5.71x
Eatington 1 212.77x
Exeter St Thomas The 1 24.04x
Foleshill 1 19.23x
Goodleigh 1 588.24x
Leamington Priors 1 8.22x
Lowestoft 1 8.87x
Marnham 1 769.23x
Moreton Morrell 1 588.24x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 26.04x
Pinchbeck 1 49.75x
Royal Navy 1 5.01x
Rugby 1 14.95x
St Martin In Fields 1 8.52x
Twickenham 1 11.89x
Wall 1 1250.00x
Westbourne 1 60.61x
Weston Super Mare 1 12.55x
Whitechapel London 1 5.18x
York Minster Yard W 1 222.22x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Nicks surname: questions and answers

How common was the Nicks surname in 1881?

In 1881, 200 people were recorded with the Nicks surname. That placed it at #12,836 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Nicks surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 277 in 2016. That gives Nicks a modern rank of #15,619.

What does the Nicks surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from the given name Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people."

What does the Nicks map show?

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