NameCensus.

UK surname

Pockett

A surname referring to a maker or seller of small bags or pouches.

In the 1881 census there were 247 people recorded with the Pockett surname, ranking it #11,173 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 445, ranked #10,890, up from #11,173 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Prestbury and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stroud and Cheltenham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pockett is 470 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 80.2%.

1881 census count

247

Ranked #11,173

Modern count

445

2016, ranked #10,890

Peak year

1999

470 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pockett had 247 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,173 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 445 in 2016, ranked #10,890.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 421 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pockett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pockett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pockett 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 119 #15,247
1861 historical 167 #13,956
1881 historical 247 #11,173
1891 historical 279 #11,698
1901 historical 376 #9,899
1911 historical 421 #8,950
1997 modern 446 #10,142
1998 modern 466 #10,140
1999 modern 470 #10,120
2000 modern 470 #10,089
2001 modern 460 #10,063
2002 modern 468 #10,117
2003 modern 448 #10,325
2004 modern 459 #10,137
2005 modern 447 #10,266
2006 modern 448 #10,269
2007 modern 441 #10,513
2008 modern 447 #10,481
2009 modern 450 #10,669
2010 modern 452 #10,880
2011 modern 454 #10,707
2012 modern 458 #10,528
2013 modern 461 #10,634
2014 modern 461 #10,694
2015 modern 448 #10,854
2016 modern 445 #10,890

Geography

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Where Pocketts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet,, Prestbury, London parishes, St Pancras and Cheltenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stroud and Cheltenham. 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 Churcham, Sandhurst, St Mary-de-Lode, St Catherine Longford, Barnwood, Wootton Ville, North Hamlet, Gloucestershire
2 Prestbury Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Cheltenham Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stroud 003 Stroud
2 Cheltenham 006 Cheltenham
3 Cheltenham 001 Cheltenham
4 Cheltenham 005 Cheltenham
5 Stroud 001 Stroud

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pockett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pockett

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Pockett is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pockett is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pockett falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pockett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Pockett

The surname Pockett originated in England, with records dating back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "pocca," meaning a small bag or pouch. The name may have initially referred to someone who made or sold small pouches or bags.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Yorkshire from 1273, which mentions a "Richard Poket." This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 13th century, likely referring to an occupation or trade.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "Poket," "Pokette," and "Pokott," reflecting the different spellings and pronunciations of the time. The Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1327 for Staffordshire list a "William Poket," while the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1381 mentions a "John Pockett."

The Pockett surname is also found in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. However, the spelling in the Domesday Book is slightly different, appearing as "Poche" or "Pochie."

One notable figure in history with the surname Pockett was Richard Pockett (1628-1695), an English clergyman and writer who served as the rector of Minting, Lincolnshire. Another was John Pockett (1740-1810), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 18th century, the name Pockett appeared in various parish records across England, particularly in counties such as Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Staffordshire. A famous bearer of the name was Thomas Pockett (1756-1836), an English businessman and philanthropist who founded the Pockett's Charity for the poor in Bristol.

The 19th century saw the emergence of several notable individuals with the Pockett surname. William Pockett (1814-1891) was an English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in London. Edward Pockett (1832-1908) was a British artist known for his landscape paintings, particularly those depicting scenes from the English countryside.

Throughout its history, the Pockett surname has maintained a strong presence in England, with various spellings and variations emerging over time. While the name may have originated from a humble occupation or trade, it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including clergymen, military officers, architects, artists, and philanthropists.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pockett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pockett 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. Gloucestershire leads with 104 Pocketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.01x.

County Total Index
Gloucestershire 104 22.01x
Middlesex 38 1.58x
Glamorgan 16 3.81x
Surrey 16 1.36x
Yorkshire 16 0.67x
Worcestershire 15 4.77x
Staffordshire 9 1.11x
Lancashire 7 0.24x
Herefordshire 6 6.07x
Kent 6 0.73x
Essex 5 1.05x
Sussex 4 0.98x
Wiltshire 2 0.94x
Hampshire 1 0.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.57x
Somerset 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Prestbury in Gloucestershire leads with 19 Pocketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1623.93x.

Place Total Index
Prestbury 19 1623.93x
St Pancras London 13 6.70x
Eastington 12 769.23x
Normanton 12 167.36x
Longney 11 3142.86x
Mile End Old Town 10 26.30x
Leigh 8 2857.14x
Newington 8 8.99x
Swansea Town 8 23.26x
Westbury On Severn 8 427.81x
Awre 7 721.65x
Crompton 7 86.00x
Quedgley 7 1794.87x
Colwall 6 491.80x
Neath 6 70.26x
Ripple 6 1000.00x
Brockworth 5 1351.35x
Cannock 5 35.24x
Blockley 4 224.72x
Brimpsfield 4 1290.32x
Chelsea London 4 5.51x
Eastbourne 4 21.40x
Rugeley 4 68.49x
Walthamstow 4 23.36x
Camberwell 3 1.95x
Canterbury St Mary 3 54.35x
Cheltenham 3 8.23x
Clifton 3 12.56x
Fretherne 3 1500.00x
Oldbury 3 19.38x
Southwark Christchurch 3 26.57x
Stanway 3 1200.00x
Arlingham 2 384.62x
Blaenhonddan 2 102.56x
Bromley London 2 3.77x
Hook 2 38.10x
Hornsey 2 6.56x
Islington London 2 0.86x
Minety 2 338.98x
Moreton Valence 2 714.29x
Woolwich 2 6.59x
Armley 1 9.50x
Bethnal Green London 1 0.96x
Bisley 1 185.19x
Bristol 1 227.27x
Charlton Kings 1 30.58x
Chigwell 1 22.27x
Chiswick 1 7.60x
Earls Croome 1 555.56x
Gloucester Holy Trinity 1 243.90x
Gloucester St John Baptist 1 32.79x
Howick 1 5000.00x
Kingstanley 1 57.14x
Kirkleatham 1 31.06x
Lambeth 1 0.48x
North Cerney 1 192.31x
Pembury 1 85.47x
St Luke London 1 2.59x
St Marylebone London 1 0.78x
Stroud 1 10.87x
Wembdon 1 86.96x
Whitechapel London 1 4.21x
Whitwell 1 172.41x
Wolverley 1 36.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Emma 11
Elizabeth 8
Sarah 7
Ellen 6
Lucy 6
Alice 5
Annie 5
Ann 4
Clara 3
Hannah 3
Julia 3
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Adalade 1
Agnes 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Angelina 1
Betsy 1
Blanch 1
Blanche 1
C.Amanda 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Dinah 1
Elizth. 1
Elspeth 1
Frances 1
Hester 1
Jesse 1
Margaret 1
Margurita 1
Prudence 1
Rosetta 1
S.A.Elizabeth 1
Sibella 1
Sophy 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 14
Charles 11
George 11
John 9
Henry 8
James 7
Thomas 7
Walter 7
Albert 4
Daniel 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Edgar 2
Joshua 2
Leonard 2
Thos. 2
Alfred 1
Allan 1
Alwyn 1
Arthur 1
Augustus 1
Charley 1
Chs. 1
Daniell 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Frederick 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Lewis 1
Oswald 1
Peter 1
Samuel 1
Soloman 1
Solomon 1
Tom 1
W. 1
W.Henry 1
Willy 1

FAQ

Pockett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pockett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 247 people were recorded with the Pockett surname. That placed it at #11,173 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pockett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 445 in 2016. That gives Pockett a modern rank of #10,890.

What does the Pockett surname mean?

A surname referring to a maker or seller of small bags or pouches.

What does the Pockett map show?

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