UK surname
An English surname possibly derived from a place name referring to a distinct field.
In the 1881 census there were 82 people recorded with the Pickwick surname, ranking it #21,957 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 79, ranked #33,100, down from #21,957 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Englishcombe, Tiverton, London parishes and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pickwick is 135 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.7%.
1881 census count
82
Ranked #21,957
Modern count
79
2016, ranked #33,100
Peak year
1911
135 bearers
Map years
2
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Pickwick surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Pickwick surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 66 | #21,617 |
| 1861 | historical | 72 | #24,643 |
| 1881 | historical | 82 | #21,957 |
| 1891 | historical | 102 | #23,719 |
| 1901 | historical | 96 | #23,342 |
| 1911 | historical | 135 | #19,058 |
| 1997 | modern | 83 | #29,216 |
| 1998 | modern | 84 | #29,537 |
| 1999 | modern | 88 | #29,287 |
| 2000 | modern | 85 | #29,598 |
| 2001 | modern | 84 | #29,508 |
| 2002 | modern | 94 | #28,797 |
| 2003 | modern | 87 | #29,615 |
| 2004 | modern | 83 | #30,352 |
| 2005 | modern | 83 | #30,486 |
| 2006 | modern | 82 | #30,933 |
| 2007 | modern | 76 | #31,966 |
| 2008 | modern | 79 | #31,957 |
| 2009 | modern | 82 | #32,048 |
| 2010 | modern | 89 | #31,745 |
| 2011 | modern | 86 | #32,006 |
| 2012 | modern | 80 | #32,877 |
| 2013 | modern | 80 | #33,058 |
| 2014 | modern | 82 | #32,992 |
| 2015 | modern | 79 | #33,127 |
| 2016 | modern | 79 | #33,100 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Englishcombe, Tiverton, London parishes, Eccles, Lambeth and Lyncombe and Widcombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Englishcombe, Tiverton | Somerset |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Lyncombe and Widcombe | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Pickwick surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Pickwick, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Pickwick surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Pickwick household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Pickwick is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pickwick is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Pickwick, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Pickwick is of English origin, believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from a place name, specifically a village in the county of Wiltshire, near Bath. Records suggest that Pickwick, as a place, was known as Picewic in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name likely derives from Old English elements: "pic" meaning peak or pike and "wic" meaning a settlement or dwelling.
Pickwick's appearance in historical records is significant. The earliest mention of the surname dates back to the 13th century. One of the earlier recorded instances includes a Richard de Pykwyke, listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Wiltshire in 1327. Over time, alternative spellings such as Pyckwyk and Pykwik have been noted in various documents, reflecting the evolution of spelling conventions.
One prominent historical figure bearing the surname Pickwick is Moses Pickwick, born in the late 1700s and died in 1823. He was a notable coach proprietor based in Bath, whose business became so influential that Charles Dickens is said to have named his famous character Samuel Pickwick in "The Pickwick Papers" after him. This connection not only highlights the surname's presence in historical records but also its influence on literature and popular culture.
Another individual of note is Elizabeth Pickwick, born in 1735 and died in 1802, who was known in her community for her charitable works and contributions to local society. Her legacy includes multiple references in parish records and local histories, marking her as a significant figure in her time.
The 1760s saw another notable bearer of the surname, George Pickwick, a tradesman who established several prosperous businesses in Wiltshire. His success and influence made him a well-documented figure in local historical accounts, demonstrating the economic impact of those bearing the surname.
Elizabeth's brother, Thomas Pickwick, a landowner born in 1740 and died in 1795, also held a prominent position in the county. His estate management is recorded in various property and agricultural logs, showcasing the role of the Pickwick family in local land transactions and regional development.
Lastly, a record from the late 1500s mentions John Pickwick, a parish clerk in a Wiltshire village. His detailed notes and meticulous record-keeping provide a valuable glimpse into ecclesiastical and community life during his tenure, emphasizing the administrative presence of individuals with this surname.
Through these historical narratives and records, the surname Pickwick is vividly depicted as an emblem of regional influence and cultural heritage in Wiltshire.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pickwick surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Somerset leads with 24 Pickwicks recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | 24 | 18.64x |
| Middlesex | 16 | 2.00x |
| Surrey | 10 | 2.57x |
| Glamorgan | 9 | 6.46x |
| Wiltshire | 8 | 11.31x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 4.46x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.42x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 4.05x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.67x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.73x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Twerton in Somerset leads with 15 Pickwicks recorded in 1881 and an index of 1127.82x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Twerton | 15 | 1127.82x |
| Kensington London | 9 | 20.24x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 7 | 207.72x |
| Swansea Town | 7 | 61.30x |
| Newington | 6 | 20.30x |
| St Pancras London | 6 | 9.32x |
| Trowbridge | 5 | 159.74x |
| Lambeth | 4 | 5.73x |
| Minchinhampton | 4 | 320.00x |
| Toxteth Park | 4 | 12.45x |
| Oxford St Ebbe | 2 | 137.93x |
| Swindon | 2 | 36.43x |
| Bath St James | 1 | 74.63x |
| Bedwellty | 1 | 9.79x |
| Bradford On Avon | 1 | 44.25x |
| Bristol St George | 1 | 13.77x |
| Clifton | 1 | 12.61x |
| Horsley | 1 | 144.93x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.29x |
| Llanwonno | 1 | 20.00x |
| Neath | 1 | 35.34x |
| Reading St Giles | 1 | 16.98x |
| Walcot | 1 | 14.58x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Pickwick surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Pickwick surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Pickwick households.
FAQ
In 1881, 82 people were recorded with the Pickwick surname. That placed it at #21,957 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 79 in 2016. That gives Pickwick a modern rank of #33,100.
An English surname possibly derived from a place name referring to a distinct field.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Pickwick bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.