NameCensus.

UK surname

Oke

Of English origin, an old spelling variant of 'oak' referencing the tree.

In the 1881 census there were 309 people recorded with the Oke surname, ranking it #9,517 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 975, ranked #5,924, up from #9,517 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sutcombe, Pancrassweek, Bideford and Bradworthy. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Torridge, Hackney and Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oke is 1,035 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 215.5%.

1881 census count

309

Ranked #9,517

Modern count

975

2016, ranked #5,924

Peak year

2010

1,035 bearers

Map years

6

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Oke had 309 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,517 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 975 in 2016, ranked #5,924.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 395 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Oke surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oke surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Oke 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 233 #9,272
1881 historical 309 #9,517
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 395 #9,562
1997 modern 643 #7,719
1998 modern 671 #7,727
1999 modern 667 #7,789
2000 modern 661 #7,833
2001 modern 656 #7,744
2002 modern 701 #7,501
2003 modern 752 #7,007
2004 modern 804 #6,642
2005 modern 852 #6,305
2006 modern 871 #6,204
2007 modern 898 #6,096
2008 modern 916 #6,058
2009 modern 993 #5,794
2010 modern 1,035 #5,715
2011 modern 990 #5,865
2012 modern 927 #6,109
2013 modern 948 #6,094
2014 modern 958 #6,091
2015 modern 958 #6,024
2016 modern 975 #5,924

Geography

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Where Okes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sutcombe, Pancrassweek, Bideford, Bradworthy, Hartland and Moorwinstow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Torridge, Hackney, Cornwall and Greenwich. 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 Sutcombe, Pancrassweek Devon
2 Bideford Devon
3 Bradworthy Devon
4 Hartland Devon
5 Moorwinstow Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Torridge 004 Torridge
2 Torridge 009 Torridge
3 Hackney 016 Hackney
4 Cornwall 039 Cornwall
5 Greenwich 007 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Oke

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Oke

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Oke surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Oke 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Oke is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Oke is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Oke falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Oke 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
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Oke

The surname OKE originates from England, where it first appeared in the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "ac", meaning "oak" or "oak tree". The name likely referred to someone who lived near a prominent oak tree or in an area with a significant oak forest.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname OKE can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John Oke is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in medieval England by the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname OKE appeared in various forms, including Oke, Ock, and Oke. These variations reflect the different dialects and spelling conventions of the time.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and properties in England compiled in 1086, does not directly mention the surname OKE. However, it does include references to place names containing the word "oak", such as Ockham in Surrey and Ockbrook in Derbyshire, suggesting the name's connection to these locations.

Notable individuals with the surname OKE throughout history include:

1. Sir Thomas Oke (c. 1530-1593), an English merchant and Lord Mayor of London in 1590. 2. Nicholas Oke (c. 1550-1613), an English clergyman and author of several religious works. 3. Andrew Oke (1759-1847), an English architect responsible for designing various churches and public buildings in Devon. 4. George Oke (1828-1901), a British artist and landscape painter known for his depictions of rural scenes. 5. John Oke (1909-1993), a British journalist and author who covered World War II and wrote several books on military history.

While the surname OKE has ancient roots in England, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora. However, this report focuses solely on the historical origins and notable bearers of the surname OKE, without delving into modern census data or its use as a first or given name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Oke families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oke 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 116 Okes recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.92x.

County Total Index
Devon 116 18.92x
Cornwall 97 29.08x
Lancashire 22 0.63x
Middlesex 18 0.61x
Hampshire 17 2.82x
Yorkshire 6 0.21x
Kent 5 0.50x
Monmouthshire 5 2.35x
Essex 4 0.69x
Surrey 4 0.28x
Pembrokeshire 3 3.20x
Channel Islands 1 1.15x
Durham 1 0.11x
Staffordshire 1 0.10x
Suffolk 1 0.28x
Sussex 1 0.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bradworthy in Devon leads with 31 Okes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3483.15x.

Place Total Index
Bradworthy 31 3483.15x
St Mary Magdalene 28 1142.86x
Morwenstow 16 1951.22x
Hartland 15 785.34x
Welcombe 14 6666.67x
Walton On Hill 12 63.36x
Bodmin 10 181.16x
Illogan 9 101.93x
Bideford 7 106.54x
Holsworthy 7 404.62x
Lanivet 7 673.08x
Lifton 7 472.97x
Little Hulton 7 120.90x
Redruth 7 74.23x
Clovelly 6 750.00x
Droxford 6 260.87x
Kensington London 6 3.66x
Christchurch 5 75.87x
Eston 5 78.62x
Shoreditch London 5 3.92x
Southampton All Sts 5 48.26x
Chertsey 4 43.10x
Exeter St David 4 76.34x
Hackney London 4 2.42x
Langtree 4 540.54x
Lanteglos 4 259.74x
Northam 4 89.49x
St Columb Major 4 144.40x
Ilfracombe 3 47.54x
Lee 3 20.56x
Plymouth St Andrew 3 6.35x
Romsey Extra 3 83.57x
St Breward 3 410.96x
Uzmaston 3 526.32x
Woolfardisworthy 3 337.08x
Chadwell St Mary 2 338.98x
Hammersmith London 2 2.76x
St Austell 2 17.54x
Stratton 2 110.50x
Toxteth Park 2 1.69x
West Ham 2 1.56x
Abbotsham 1 212.77x
Abbotts Ann 1 147.06x
Bessingby 1 714.29x
Black Torrington 1 113.64x
Brighton 1 1.00x
Cullompton 1 37.31x
Dartford 1 9.73x
Devonport 1 14.18x
Hintlesham 1 175.44x
Lanhydrock 1 526.32x
Parkham 1 123.46x
Pilton 1 49.51x
Plympton St Mary 1 28.25x
Poughill 1 243.90x
Ryde 1 7.71x
Sedgley 1 2.71x
Southampton St Mary 1 2.63x
St Anne Soho London 1 5.95x
St Blazey 1 34.13x
St Breock 1 55.56x
St Peter Port 1 6.19x
Stranton 1 3.39x
Sutton 1 8.53x
Tavistock 1 14.31x
Truro St Mary 1 35.71x
Woolwich 1 2.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 30
John 21
Thomas 12
James 8
Richard 8
Walter 8
Edward 7
Charles 6
Alfred 4
George 4
Henry 3
Edwin 2
Lewis 2
Robert 2
Silas 2
A.W.J. 1
Amos 1
Anthony 1
Bertie 1
Charley 1
Colston 1
Eber 1
Edgar 1
Ephraim 1
Ernest 1
Everard 1
Frances 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Harry 1
Hubert 1
Hugh 1
Joseph 1
Joshua 1
Mark 1
Marwood 1
Mentague 1
Michael 1
Nathan 1
Richd. 1
Samuel 1
Stanley 1
Titus 1
Tom 1
Willm.J. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Oke surname: questions and answers

How common was the Oke surname in 1881?

In 1881, 309 people were recorded with the Oke surname. That placed it at #9,517 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Oke surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 975 in 2016. That gives Oke a modern rank of #5,924.

What does the Oke surname mean?

Of English origin, an old spelling variant of 'oak' referencing the tree.

What does the Oke map show?

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