NameCensus.

UK surname

Noke

An Old English locational surname referring to someone who lived near an oak tree.

In the 1881 census there were 298 people recorded with the Noke surname, ranking it #9,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 297, ranked #14,839, down from #9,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, Boyton with Corton and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include New Forest, Lichfield and Southampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Noke is 347 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.3%.

1881 census count

298

Ranked #9,765

Modern count

297

2016, ranked #14,839

Peak year

1911

347 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Noke had 298 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 297 in 2016, ranked #14,839.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 347 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Noke surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Noke surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Noke 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 206 #10,183
1861 historical 214 #11,365
1881 historical 298 #9,765
1891 historical 287 #11,473
1901 historical 332 #10,863
1911 historical 347 #10,318
1997 modern 335 #12,575
1998 modern 331 #13,018
1999 modern 333 #13,049
2000 modern 320 #13,360
2001 modern 312 #13,392
2002 modern 318 #13,475
2003 modern 309 #13,559
2004 modern 311 #13,549
2005 modern 299 #13,877
2006 modern 300 #13,911
2007 modern 307 #13,822
2008 modern 309 #13,860
2009 modern 309 #14,135
2010 modern 310 #14,378
2011 modern 322 #13,907
2012 modern 298 #14,565
2013 modern 296 #14,876
2014 modern 299 #14,880
2015 modern 292 #15,046
2016 modern 297 #14,839

Geography

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Where Nokes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick, Boyton with Corton, Lambeth, Oldswinford and Claines (pt), Warndon, Hinlip. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to New Forest, Lichfield, Southampton and Wiltshire. 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 Worcester St John Bedwardine, Kenswick Worcestershire
2 Boyton with Corton Wiltshire
3 Lambeth London (South Districts)
4 Oldswinford Worcestershire
5 Claines (pt), Warndon, Hinlip Worcestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 New Forest 001 New Forest
2 Lichfield 010 Lichfield
3 Southampton 025 Southampton
4 Southampton 026 Southampton
5 Wiltshire 051 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Noke

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Noke

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Noke is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Noke is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Noke falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Noke

The surname Noke has its origins in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "nok" or "noc," which referred to a small corner or nook of land. This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals who lived or worked on a small parcel of land or a secluded area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Noke can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire, dating back to 1273. The entry mentions a person named William Noke, providing evidence of the name's existence during that period. Other early records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, also feature individuals with the surname Noke.

In the 14th century, the surname Noke appeared in various forms, including Nock, Nocke, and Noke. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling during that time. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, indicating its strong regional roots.

Among the notable individuals with the surname Noke throughout history are:

1. John Noke (c. 1550-1592), an English poet and playwright known for his works such as "The Tragedy of Mustapha" and "The Tragedies of Gismond and Tancred."

2. William Noke (1655-1718), a prominent English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

3. Elizabeth Noke (1688-1759), an influential Quaker minister and writer from Gloucestershire, known for her advocacy of women's rights and religious tolerance.

4. Richard Noke (1780-1851), a renowned horticulturist and botanist from Oxfordshire, who introduced several new plant species to England and published numerous works on gardening and plant cultivation.

5. Henry Noke (1826-1899), a British soldier and explorer who participated in several expeditions to Africa and wrote extensively about his travels and encounters with indigenous cultures.

While the surname Noke has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, likely through migration and immigration. However, its historical significance remains deeply tied to its English origins and the early records that document its presence in various regions of the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Noke families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Noke 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. Worcestershire leads with 72 Nokes recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.76x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 72 19.76x
Wiltshire 35 14.19x
Middlesex 34 1.22x
Staffordshire 31 3.29x
Lancashire 21 0.63x
Warwickshire 20 2.84x
Surrey 19 1.40x
Yorkshire 17 0.61x
Somerset 7 1.56x
Kent 6 0.63x
Northumberland 6 1.45x
Leicestershire 5 1.62x
Northamptonshire 5 1.91x
Essex 3 0.54x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.80x
Dorset 2 1.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Boyton in Wiltshire leads with 30 Nokes recorded in 1881 and an index of 10344.83x.

Place Total Index
Boyton 30 10344.83x
Claines 25 250.00x
Birmingham 17 7.25x
Ashton Under Lyne 14 19.35x
Pedmore 14 2916.67x
Upperswinford 14 454.55x
Amblecote 10 373.13x
Leeds 10 6.41x
Burntwood Edial 9 149.75x
Stourbridge 8 85.38x
Frimley 7 180.88x
St Pancras London 7 3.12x
Camberwell 6 3.37x
Kingswinford 6 17.55x
Westgate 6 23.35x
Chelsea London 5 5.95x
Dartford 5 51.39x
Enville 5 675.68x
Leicester St Margaret 5 6.63x
Walcot 5 20.90x
Warkworth 5 211.86x
Westminster St 5 48.64x
Armley 4 32.81x
Gorton 4 12.85x
Lambeth 4 1.64x
Paddington London 4 3.90x
South Newton 4 625.00x
Hucknall Torkard 3 31.48x
Worcester St John 3 68.97x
Aston 2 1.03x
Barking 2 12.41x
Bath St James 2 42.74x
Chertsey 2 22.78x
Droitwich St Nicholas 2 148.15x
Ecclesfield 2 9.87x
Holwell 2 500.00x
Kensington London 2 1.29x
Mile End Old Town 2 4.54x
Newton 2 7.84x
Poplar London 2 3.80x
St Marylebone London 2 1.34x
Tottenham 2 4.50x
Wollaston 2 86.58x
Worcester St Martin 2 40.73x
Bexley 1 11.89x
Chilmark 1 188.68x
Fulham London 1 2.47x
Great Crosby 1 11.09x
Hornsey 1 2.83x
Isleworth 1 8.06x
Leamington 1 21.46x
Ombersley 1 49.26x
Scarborough 1 3.98x
West Ham 1 0.82x
Wolverhampton 1 1.38x
Worcester St Peter 1 14.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Sarah 10
Ann 8
Elizabeth 7
Emma 6
Emily 5
Maria 5
Caroline 4
Alice 3
Annie 3
Charlotte 3
Eliza 3
Ellen 3
Jane 3
Laura 3
Ada 2
Catherine 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Penelope 2
Betsy 1
Cary 1
Chas. 1
Christianna 1
Clara 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.A. 1
Elsie 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Florry 1
Grace 1
Harriette 1
Hester 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Ketura 1
Letitisha 1
Levina 1
Margaret 1
Marie 1
Mildred 1
Rosa 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 16
John 15
Thomas 15
George 14
William 12
Henry 7
Joseph 6
Edward 5
Richard 4
Albert 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Samuel 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
David 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
James 2
Robert 2
Adam 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Daniell 1
Edwd.C. 1
Edwin 1
Enock 1
Enos 1
Fredrick 1
Jerry 1
Luke 1
Peter 1
Ralph 1
Reginald 1
Ruben 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Valentine 1
Walter 1
Willm. 1
Wm.G. 1

FAQ

Noke surname: questions and answers

How common was the Noke surname in 1881?

In 1881, 298 people were recorded with the Noke surname. That placed it at #9,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Noke surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 297 in 2016. That gives Noke a modern rank of #14,839.

What does the Noke surname mean?

An Old English locational surname referring to someone who lived near an oak tree.

What does the Noke map show?

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