NameCensus.

UK surname

Peek

An English occupational surname referring to someone who lived on or near a hill or mountain peak.

In the 1881 census there were 785 people recorded with the Peek surname, ranking it #4,732 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,199, ranked #4,962, down from #4,732 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, London parishes and Devonport Stoke Damerel. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Peek is 1,390 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 52.7%.

1881 census count

785

Ranked #4,732

Modern count

1,199

2016, ranked #4,962

Peak year

1998

1,390 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Peek had 785 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,732 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,199 in 2016, ranked #4,962.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,162 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Peek surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Peek surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Peek 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 609 #4,230
1861 historical 680 #3,951
1881 historical 785 #4,732
1891 historical 1,001 #4,147
1901 historical 869 #5,268
1911 historical 1,162 #4,022
1997 modern 1,351 #4,259
1998 modern 1,390 #4,302
1999 modern 1,380 #4,354
2000 modern 1,360 #4,404
2001 modern 1,340 #4,368
2002 modern 1,326 #4,491
2003 modern 1,304 #4,474
2004 modern 1,292 #4,512
2005 modern 1,257 #4,576
2006 modern 1,258 #4,572
2007 modern 1,232 #4,717
2008 modern 1,224 #4,771
2009 modern 1,270 #4,715
2010 modern 1,278 #4,781
2011 modern 1,254 #4,801
2012 modern 1,161 #5,045
2013 modern 1,204 #4,967
2014 modern 1,212 #4,972
2015 modern 1,204 #4,956
2016 modern 1,199 #4,962

Geography

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Where Peeks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin, London parishes, Devonport Stoke Damerel and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Waveney. 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 Dartmorth St Petrox, Dartmouth St Saviour, Townstall, Ashprington, Halwell, Blackawton, Stoke Flemin Devon
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Devonport Stoke Damerel Devon
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Waveney 012 Waveney
2 Waveney 006 Waveney
3 Waveney 007 Waveney
4 Waveney 003 Waveney
5 Waveney 008 Waveney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Peek

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Peek

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

Peek 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

Peek 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 Peek 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 Peek, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Peek

The surname PEEK is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "peak" or "peke," meaning a peak, point, or hill. The name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a prominent peak or hilltop.

The name PEEK can be traced back to the 12th century in England, where it was first recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire in 1176. It is believed to have originated in the northern counties of England, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire, where many early bearers of the name were found.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name PEEK appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as "Pec" or "Peke." This suggests that the name had established itself in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 13th century, the name PEEK was also found in various spellings, such as "Peake," "Peke," and "Peek." These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling during that period.

Notable individuals with the surname PEEK include Sir Henry Peke (c. 1343 - c. 1419), an English soldier and Member of Parliament during the reign of King Henry IV. Another prominent bearer of the name was Sir Robert Peke (c. 1380 - 1453), a English knight and landowner in Derbyshire.

During the 16th century, the name PEEK was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire. One notable figure from this period was William Peek (c. 1505 - 1588), a merchant and landowner from Yorkshire.

In the 17th century, the surname PEEK continued to be prominent in the northern counties of England. One notable individual was Sir William Peek (1628 - 1707), a wealthy merchant and politician from Yorkshire who served as Lord Mayor of York.

The 18th century saw the name PEEK spread further across England, with bearers of the name found in various counties. A notable figure from this period was Sir Henry Peek (1712 - 1798), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from Derbyshire.

As the name PEEK evolved over the centuries, it also gave rise to various place names, such as Peek Hill in Derbyshire and Peek Green in Lancashire, which further reinforced the connection between the surname and its geographical origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Peek families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Peek 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. Middlesex leads with 187 Peeks recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 187 2.42x
Devon 106 6.60x
Norfolk 59 4.97x
Suffolk 58 6.17x
Lancashire 42 0.46x
Kent 36 1.37x
Surrey 35 0.93x
Nottinghamshire 26 2.50x
Warwickshire 25 1.28x
Huntingdonshire 23 15.01x
Hertfordshire 22 4.14x
Cornwall 17 1.95x
Buckinghamshire 16 3.43x
Yorkshire 15 0.20x
Cambridgeshire 14 2.86x
Essex 14 0.92x
Channel Islands 9 3.94x
Durham 9 0.39x
Glamorgan 7 0.52x
Lincolnshire 7 0.57x
Wiltshire 7 1.03x
Carmarthenshire 6 1.85x
Cheshire 6 0.35x
Dorset 6 1.18x
Gloucestershire 6 0.40x
Somerset 6 0.48x
Ayrshire 5 0.87x
Fife 4 0.88x
Sussex 4 0.31x
Bedfordshire 2 0.50x
Brecknockshire 2 1.30x
Hampshire 2 0.13x
Staffordshire 2 0.08x
Derbyshire 1 0.08x
Lanarkshire 1 0.04x
Leicestershire 1 0.12x
Merionethshire 1 0.71x
Northumberland 1 0.09x
Renfrewshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 38 Peeks recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.08x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 38 5.08x
Pakefield 23 987.12x
Hoo 21 601.72x
Norwood 17 96.37x
Stoke Damerel 17 15.12x
Shoreditch London 16 4.78x
Hemel Hempstead 15 62.60x
North Meols 15 16.74x
Tormoham 15 22.07x
Ottery St Mary 13 123.34x
Lowestoft 11 24.77x
Newington 11 3.86x
Bethnal Green London 10 2.98x
Bromley London 10 5.89x
East Dereham 10 66.71x
Langley Marish 10 174.52x
Tottenham 10 8.14x
Aston 9 1.68x
Great Yarmouth 9 9.16x
Kirkdale 9 5.84x
Marham 9 454.55x
Sprowston 9 172.08x
Alconbury 8 439.56x
Arnold 8 52.70x
Carlton 8 67.40x
Carlton Colville 8 231.88x
Chelsea London 8 3.44x
Godmanchester 8 138.17x
Nottingham St Mary 8 2.97x
Poplar London 8 5.49x
Soham 8 76.05x
Warwick St Mary 8 47.37x
Ogbourne St Andrew 7 598.29x
Paddington London 7 2.47x
St Sampson 7 67.96x
Throston 7 158.73x
Ulverston 7 26.25x
Willesden 7 9.62x
Woodbury 7 147.06x
Gorleston 6 25.13x
Kirkleatham 6 58.14x
Llanelly 6 8.19x
Newton Abbot St Mary 6 44.54x
North Walsham 6 70.18x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 4.85x
St Ives 6 75.57x
St Just In Penwith 6 35.40x
St Neot 6 174.42x
Tiverton 6 21.68x
Withiel Florey 6 845.07x
Clerkenwell London 5 2.75x
Cliffe 5 84.18x
Ealing 5 7.25x
Ecclesall Bierlow 5 3.22x
Hitchin 5 20.82x
Kensington London 5 1.17x
Largs 5 36.76x
Lawford 5 225.23x
Macclesfield 5 6.60x
Merthyr Tydfil 5 3.87x
Milton Abbott 5 215.52x
Portland 5 18.36x
Ratcliffe London 5 11.73x
St Pancras London 5 0.81x
Stoke 5 76.92x
Upton Cum Chalvey 5 26.90x
Whitchurch 5 177.31x
Burntisland 4 31.32x
Camberwell 4 0.81x
Chudleigh 4 78.28x
Henstead 4 281.69x
Lambeth 4 0.59x
St Giles In Fields 4 15.03x
Toxteth Park 4 1.29x
West Rudham 4 320.00x
Birmingham 3 0.46x
Croxton 3 389.61x
Greenwich 3 2.44x
Lewisham 3 2.14x
Wimbledon 3 7.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 48
George 39
John 33
Thomas 23
James 22
Henry 18
Arthur 12
Charles 12
Robert 12
Frederick 11
Joseph 11
Walter 10
Edward 9
Samuel 9
Alfred 7
Ernest 6
Richard 6
Frank 4
Herbert 4
Philip 4
Wm. 4
Albert 3
Chambers 3
Thos. 3
Amos 2
Christopher 2
Fred 2
Harry 2
Horace 2
Jonathan 2
Roland 2
Arther 1
Bertie 1
Cabel 1
Cecil 1
Edwin 1
Elizabeth 1
Emanuel 1
Ephraim 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Hugh 1
Infant 1
Jamie 1
Jas. 1
Jonathon 1
Joshua 1
Lawrence 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Peek surname: questions and answers

How common was the Peek surname in 1881?

In 1881, 785 people were recorded with the Peek surname. That placed it at #4,732 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Peek surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,199 in 2016. That gives Peek a modern rank of #4,962.

What does the Peek surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who lived on or near a hill or mountain peak.

What does the Peek map show?

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