NameCensus.

UK surname

Pakenham

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "homestead or village of the Pakas or Pacas".

In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Pakenham surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 140, ranked #24,865, up from #28,965 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hammersmith and Fulham, East Devon and Sedgemoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pakenham is 140 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 324.2%.

1881 census count

33

Ranked #28,965

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

2016

140 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pakenham had 33 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,965 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 70 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Pakenham surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pakenham surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pakenham 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 17 #30,267
1861 historical 13 #32,208
1881 historical 33 #28,965
1891 historical 45 #30,747
1901 historical 50 #28,590
1911 historical 70 #25,853
1997 modern 118 #24,423
1998 modern 117 #25,190
1999 modern 120 #24,960
2000 modern 129 #23,901
2001 modern 119 #24,733
2002 modern 125 #24,492
2003 modern 124 #24,378
2004 modern 122 #24,812
2005 modern 117 #25,433
2006 modern 124 #24,750
2007 modern 138 #23,478
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 133 #25,177
2012 modern 130 #25,559
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 135 #25,581
2015 modern 136 #25,352
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

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Where Pakenhams are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hammersmith and Fulham, East Devon, Sedgemoor, Test Valley and Gedling. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hammersmith and Fulham 005 Hammersmith and Fulham
2 East Devon 020 East Devon
3 Sedgemoor 009 Sedgemoor
4 Test Valley 007 Test Valley
5 Gedling 012 Gedling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pakenham

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pakenham

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Pakenham surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Pakenham 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Pakenham is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Pakenham 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

Pakenham falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pakenham is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Pakenham

The surname Pakenham originated in England and dates back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English words "paec" meaning peak or hill, and "ham" meaning homestead or village. This suggests that the name originated from a place name referring to a homestead on a hill or near a peak.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. In this record, the name is listed as "Paccanham".

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the name appeared in various forms such as Pakkenham, Packenham, and Pakenham, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation common in those times. The name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk in eastern England.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Sir Edmund Pakenham (c. 1195-1259), who served as Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk during the reign of King Henry III. Another notable figure was Sir John Pakenham (c. 1390-1456), who was a member of the English Parliament and fought in the Hundred Years' War against France.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Pakenham family gained prominence and owned several estates in Suffolk, including Pakenham Manor and Bury St. Edmunds. Sir Edward Pakenham (1550-1624) was a prominent lawyer and served as the Recorder of Bury St. Edmunds.

In the 18th century, Edward Michael Pakenham (1778-1815) was a British Army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars. He was killed in action at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 while leading the British forces against the Americans.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sir Francis Pakenham (1832-1905), who was a British diplomat and served as the Governor of Cape Colony (now part of South Africa) from 1858 to 1862.

Throughout its history, the Pakenham surname has been associated with various place names in England, such as Pakenham in Suffolk, which was recorded as "Paccanham" in the Domesday Book. The name has also been linked to other locations like Pakenham in Bedfordshire and Pakenham in Lincolnshire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pakenham families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pakenham 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. Somerset leads with 7 Pakenhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.52x.

County Total Index
Somerset 7 13.52x
Sussex 6 11.06x
Gloucestershire 5 7.93x
Devon 3 4.48x
Hampshire 3 4.55x
Lancashire 2 0.52x
Middlesex 2 0.62x
Berkshire 1 4.14x
Buckinghamshire 1 5.14x
Kent 1 0.91x
Staffordshire 1 0.92x
Warwickshire 1 1.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wivelsfield in Sussex leads with 6 Pakenhams recorded in 1881 and an index of 2857.14x.

Place Total Index
Wivelsfield 6 2857.14x
Walcot 5 181.16x
Cheltenham 3 61.60x
Clifton 2 62.70x
Paddington London 2 16.91x
Preston 2 19.59x
St Michael Winchester 2 1538.46x
Stoke Damerel 2 42.64x
Bathwick 1 175.44x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 370.37x
Edgbaston 1 39.68x
Eton 1 227.27x
Greenwich 1 19.53x
Holdenhurst 1 57.80x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 73.53x
Wargrave 1 476.19x
Yarlett 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 3
Emma 2
A.S. 1
Clara 1
Eveleen 1
Florence 1
Georgina 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Katherine 1
Margaret 1
Sarah 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 2
Arthur 1
Edwd.M. 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Hugh 1
Montagu 1
Richard 1
Stanley 1
Thos.Lord 1
Walter 1
William 1
Willm. 1

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 Pakenham households.

FAQ

Pakenham surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pakenham surname in 1881?

In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Pakenham surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pakenham surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Pakenham a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Pakenham surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "homestead or village of the Pakas or Pacas".

What does the Pakenham map show?

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