NameCensus.

UK surname

Polkinghorne

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Polking's valley or strip of land".

In the 1881 census there were 384 people recorded with the Polkinghorne surname, ranking it #8,195 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 279, ranked #15,534, down from #8,195 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Redruth, Illogan and Phillack. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Polkinghorne is 474 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.3%.

1881 census count

384

Ranked #8,195

Modern count

279

2016, ranked #15,534

Peak year

1901

474 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Polkinghorne had 384 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,195 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 279 in 2016, ranked #15,534.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 474 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Polkinghorne surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Polkinghorne surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Polkinghorne 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 247 #8,868
1861 historical 178 #13,202
1881 historical 384 #8,195
1891 historical 403 #8,822
1901 historical 474 #8,382
1911 historical 433 #8,762
1997 modern 325 #12,832
1998 modern 332 #12,990
1999 modern 321 #13,362
2000 modern 325 #13,221
2001 modern 317 #13,228
2002 modern 321 #13,378
2003 modern 301 #13,785
2004 modern 295 #14,025
2005 modern 293 #14,030
2006 modern 283 #14,432
2007 modern 294 #14,241
2008 modern 302 #14,069
2009 modern 294 #14,628
2010 modern 285 #15,276
2011 modern 280 #15,310
2012 modern 276 #15,427
2013 modern 287 #15,224
2014 modern 292 #15,129
2015 modern 282 #15,417
2016 modern 279 #15,534

Geography

Back to top

Where Polkinghornes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Redruth, Illogan, Phillack, Kenwyn, Tregavethan and Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Redruth Cornwall
2 Illogan Cornwall
3 Phillack Cornwall
4 Kenwyn, Tregavethan Cornwall
5 Plymouth St Andrew (incl. Eddystone Lighthouse in 1841) Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 055 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 053 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 043 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 007 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Polkinghorne

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Polkinghorne

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

Polkinghorne is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Polkinghorne falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Polkinghorne 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 Polkinghorne, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Polkinghorne

The surname Polkinghorne originated in Cornwall, England, during the medieval period. It is derived from the place name "Polkinghorne," which is a combination of the Cornish words "pol" (meaning pool or pit) and "kyn" (meaning head or end), indicating a location at the end of a pool or pit.

This surname is believed to have first appeared in written records in the late 13th century, with one of the earliest known references being in the Cornish Subsidy Rolls of 1327, which mentioned a Richard de Polkynghorne.

The Polkinghorne family was prominent in the Cornish mining industry during the 16th and 17th centuries. John Polkinghorne (c. 1560-1635), a notable figure in the family, was a successful mine owner and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the development of the Cornish tin mining industry.

In the 18th century, the Polkinghorne name appeared in various parish records throughout Cornwall, indicating the family's continued presence in the region. One notable individual was Reverend William Polkinghorne (1718-1788), a clergyman and writer who served as the vicar of St. Martin's Church in Looe, Cornwall.

During the 19th century, members of the Polkinghorne family migrated to other parts of the world, including Australia and North America. One prominent figure was John Cyril Polkinghorne (1823-1897), a Cornish mining engineer who played a crucial role in the development of the Australian mining industry.

Another notable individual was Sir John Polkinghorne (1863-1944), a British explorer and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of the Canadian railway system. He was knighted in 1918 for his services to the British Empire.

In more recent times, the Polkinghorne surname has been associated with notable figures in various fields, such as John Polkinghorne KBE FRS (1930-2021), an English theoretical physicist, theologian, and Anglican priest, who was a prominent voice in the dialogue between science and religion.

While the Polkinghorne surname has its roots in Cornwall, it has since spread to other parts of the world, with families bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Polkinghorne families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Polkinghorne 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. Cornwall leads with 296 Polkinghornes recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.80x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 296 69.80x
Devon 37 4.75x
Hampshire 9 1.17x
Yorkshire 8 0.22x
Cheshire 6 0.73x
Glamorgan 5 0.77x
Worcestershire 5 1.02x
Carmarthenshire 4 2.53x
Staffordshire 4 0.32x
Cumberland 3 0.93x
Middlesex 2 0.05x
Derbyshire 1 0.17x
Essex 1 0.14x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.20x
Royal Navy 1 2.24x
Surrey 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Illogan in Cornwall leads with 58 Polkinghornes recorded in 1881 and an index of 516.47x.

Place Total Index
Illogan 58 516.47x
Phillack 47 859.23x
Redruth 39 325.00x
Kenwyn 29 261.50x
St Columb Major 15 426.14x
Beerferris 14 921.05x
Camborne 14 80.14x
Gwennap 14 175.00x
St Breward 10 1075.27x
Plymouth Charles The 9 26.20x
Breage 8 206.72x
Madron Penzance 8 51.88x
York St Lawrence 8 206.72x
Egloshayle 7 351.76x
Portsea 7 4.65x
Stoke Damerel 7 12.83x
Chester St John Baptist 6 40.38x
Sithney 6 139.86x
Kidderminster Borough 5 17.46x
Liskeard 5 70.42x
Penarth 5 78.49x
St Erth 5 194.55x
Handsworth 4 12.84x
Llanstephan 4 256.41x
Marhamchurch 4 579.71x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 6.66x
Bodmin 3 42.74x
Eskdale Wasdale 3 434.78x
Gwinear 3 149.25x
Truro St Mary 3 84.27x
Islington London 2 0.55x
Saltash 2 60.79x
St Blazey 2 53.76x
St Minver 2 155.04x
Uny Lelant 2 87.34x
Bickington 1 322.58x
Budock 1 31.35x
Crowan 1 29.76x
Cury 1 178.57x
Exeter St Leonard 1 46.95x
Fowey 1 51.28x
Helston 1 22.68x
Kingsbridge 1 51.02x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.77x
Portsmouth 1 5.66x
Royal Navy 1 2.62x
Ryde 1 6.06x
St Cleer 1 27.17x
St Columb Minor 1 28.09x
St Just In Penwith 1 12.15x
Stratton 1 43.48x
Streatham 1 3.60x
Tywardreath 1 36.76x
West Ham 1 0.61x
Wilne 1 74.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Elizabeth 22
Jane 14
Eliza 11
Ann 10
Sarah 9
Bessie 6
Ellen 6
Annie 5
Beatrice 5
Susan 5
Emily 4
Charlotte 3
Elizth. 3
Emma 3
Grace 3
Rebecca 3
Ada 2
Catherine 2
Florence 2
Julia 2
Kezia 2
Marey 2
Martha 2
Maud 2
Minnie 2
Alice 1
Caroline 1
Charity 1
Christian 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Elizabeath 1
Esther 1
Eunice 1
Frances 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
J.J. 1
Janey 1
Jennetta 1
Leonora 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
M.J. 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Mariannie 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 28
John 25
Thomas 13
James 10
Charles 9
Richard 9
Edwin 8
Joseph 6
Samuel 5
Stephen 5
Edward 4
Bennett 3
Henry 3
Ths. 3
Willie 3
Alfred 2
Anthony 2
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Frank 2
George 2
Josias 2
Alb.E. 1
Albert 1
Bertie 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Eviln 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
Geo.H. 1
Georgie 1
Gilbart 1
Herbert 1
J. 1
Jas.F. 1
Jas.H. 1
Jas.J. 1
Jos. 1
Josiah 1
Matthew 1
Orlando 1
Robert 1
Roger 1
S. 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1
Wm.Hy. 1
Wm.J. 1

FAQ

Polkinghorne surname: questions and answers

How common was the Polkinghorne surname in 1881?

In 1881, 384 people were recorded with the Polkinghorne surname. That placed it at #8,195 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Polkinghorne surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 279 in 2016. That gives Polkinghorne a modern rank of #15,534.

What does the Polkinghorne surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "Polking's valley or strip of land".

What does the Polkinghorne map show?

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