NameCensus.

UK surname

Prickett

An English occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of spiked fences or enclosures.

In the 1881 census there were 817 people recorded with the Prickett surname, ranking it #4,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 825, ranked #6,734, down from #4,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Mary, Lamberhurst and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Lakeland, Stratford-on-Avon and Northampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Prickett is 1,224 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 1.0%.

1881 census count

817

Ranked #4,581

Modern count

825

2016, ranked #6,734

Peak year

1911

1,224 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Prickett had 817 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 825 in 2016, ranked #6,734.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,224 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Prickett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Prickett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Prickett 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 600 #4,273
1861 historical 538 #4,878
1881 historical 817 #4,581
1891 historical 919 #4,499
1901 historical 1,118 #4,329
1911 historical 1,224 #3,859
1997 modern 947 #5,735
1998 modern 1,003 #5,663
1999 modern 1,008 #5,677
2000 modern 995 #5,713
2001 modern 977 #5,681
2002 modern 977 #5,802
2003 modern 947 #5,849
2004 modern 925 #5,951
2005 modern 910 #5,973
2006 modern 909 #5,995
2007 modern 901 #6,078
2008 modern 891 #6,172
2009 modern 901 #6,262
2010 modern 911 #6,332
2011 modern 894 #6,351
2012 modern 840 #6,586
2013 modern 843 #6,682
2014 modern 842 #6,706
2015 modern 830 #6,718
2016 modern 825 #6,734

Geography

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Where Pricketts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Mary, Lamberhurst, London parishes, Lambeth 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 South Lakeland, Stratford-on-Avon, Northampton and Basingstoke and Deane. 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 St Mary Pembrokeshire
2 Lamberhurst Sussex
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Lakeland 001 South Lakeland
2 Stratford-on-Avon 013 Stratford-on-Avon
3 Northampton 002 Northampton
4 Basingstoke and Deane 002 Basingstoke and Deane
5 Northampton 019 Northampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Prickett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Prickett

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

Professional Periphery

Within London, Prickett is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Prickett is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Prickett 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 Prickett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Prickett

The surname Prickett is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "prica," which means "to prick" or "to puncture." This name was likely given as an occupational surname to individuals who worked as prickers or prodders, possibly in trades such as tanning or wool combing.

The earliest known record of the name Prickett can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it appears as "Prickett." This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname Prickett appeared in several historical records, including the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, where it was recorded as "Prikkett." This variation in spelling was common during that time period.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Prickett was John Prickett, a merchant and Member of Parliament for Yarmouth in 1421. Another prominent figure was Robert Prickett, who was appointed as the Bishop of Chichester in 1459.

During the 16th century, the name Prickett was associated with several place names, such as Prickett's Hill in Gloucestershire and Prickett's Farm in Buckinghamshire. These place names suggest that the surname was well-established in various regions of England.

In the 17th century, one of the most notable individuals with the surname Prickett was John Prickett (1620-1685), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works, including "The Summe of Christian Religion" and "A Treatise on the Church of Christ."

Another prominent figure was Abraham Prickett (1693-1769), a British architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Church of St. Mary-le-Strand in London.

In the 18th century, James Prickett (1735-1806) was a renowned English engraver and artist known for his intricate copperplate engravings and illustrations.

During the 19th century, John Prickett (1808-1888) was a renowned English mathematician and educator who contributed significantly to the field of mathematics education.

Throughout its history, the surname Prickett has been associated with various professions, from merchants and clergymen to architects and mathematicians, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who have carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Prickett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Prickett 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 159 Pricketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.00x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 159 2.00x
Kent 81 2.98x
Oxfordshire 81 16.46x
Westmorland 70 39.97x
Surrey 64 1.65x
Pembrokeshire 54 21.32x
Lancashire 44 0.47x
Buckinghamshire 32 6.64x
Northamptonshire 32 4.27x
Sussex 22 1.64x
Gloucestershire 20 1.28x
Monmouthshire 17 2.95x
Carmarthenshire 15 4.47x
Warwickshire 14 0.70x
Glamorgan 13 0.94x
Hampshire 12 0.73x
Northumberland 12 1.01x
Essex 10 0.64x
Cumberland 9 1.31x
Cheshire 8 0.45x
Shropshire 7 1.02x
Leicestershire 5 0.57x
Worcestershire 5 0.48x
Berkshire 4 0.67x
Lincolnshire 4 0.31x
Yorkshire 4 0.05x
Somerset 3 0.23x
Staffordshire 3 0.11x
Dorset 2 0.38x
Rutland 2 3.42x
Wiltshire 2 0.28x
Bedfordshire 1 0.24x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.20x
Devon 1 0.06x
Durham 1 0.04x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.63x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.55x
Royal Navy 1 1.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Levens in Westmorland leads with 34 Pricketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1317.83x.

Place Total Index
Levens 34 1317.83x
Islington London 29 3.75x
Lambeth 27 3.89x
Tonbridge 19 19.37x
Witney 16 194.41x
Binsey 15 8823.53x
East Bedfont 15 378.79x
Paddington London 15 5.12x
Pembroke St Mary 14 42.92x
Hardmead 13 5200.00x
Crosthwaite Lyth 12 568.72x
Mile End Old Town 11 8.74x
Underbarrow Bradley 11 866.14x
Chepstow St Arvans 10 735.29x
Hornton 10 729.93x
Kensington London 10 2.26x
Maidstone 10 12.35x
Slebech 10 1010.10x
Wallsend 10 26.59x
Accrington 9 10.47x
Bromley London 9 5.13x
Heston 9 34.00x
Keswick 9 102.62x
Southwark Christchurch 9 24.10x
Warton With Lindeth 9 226.70x
Clerkenwell London 8 4.25x
Gillingham 8 14.27x
Helsington 8 842.11x
Hornsey 8 7.94x
Newport Pagnell 8 79.44x
South Stoneham 8 22.58x
Warkworth 8 118.52x
Drayton In Hales 7 49.33x
Harlington 7 166.67x
Lamberhurstsussex 7 400.00x
Lewisham 7 4.83x
Northampton Priory St 7 15.56x
Pembrey 7 45.31x
Torver 7 1272.73x
Water Stratford 7 1372.55x
West Moulsey 7 388.89x
Hailey 6 173.41x
Lancaster 6 10.66x
Norwood 6 32.93x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 6 102.74x
Southwark St Saviour 6 14.65x
Walthamstow 6 10.60x
Bromley 5 12.07x
Chelsea London 5 2.08x
Cheltenham 5 4.15x
Chepstow 5 50.97x
Cilycwm 5 168.35x
Dartford 5 17.99x
Daventry 5 47.17x
Goudhurst 5 66.40x
Harefield 5 121.95x
Hook Norton 5 148.37x
Jeffreston 5 370.37x
Kidderminster Borough 5 8.21x
Lamberhurst 5 147.49x
Newton With Scales 5 684.93x
Oxford St Giles 5 21.29x
Oxford St John 5 1351.35x
Richmond 5 9.19x
Roath 5 7.93x
Tackley 5 340.14x
Abingdon St Helen 4 22.87x
Aston 4 0.72x
Bridge 4 170.94x
Bristol St Peter 4 71.56x
Chalcombe 4 327.87x
Grantham 4 24.08x
Guston 4 370.37x
Kendal 4 12.48x
Martletwy 4 392.16x
Nonington 4 184.33x
Oystermouth 4 37.24x
Roch 4 273.97x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 2.49x
St Pancras London 4 0.62x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 50
John 49
Thomas 33
George 30
James 27
Henry 18
Charles 14
Joseph 13
Edward 12
Richard 12
Arthur 9
Frederick 9
Albert 7
Walter 6
Robert 4
Alfred 3
Herbert 3
Marmaduke 3
Phillip 3
Samuel 3
Thos. 3
Andrew 2
Anthony 2
Caleb 2
Charley 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Hector 2
Horatio 2
Jas. 2
Reginald 2
W. 2
Algernon 1
Benjaman 1
Benjamin 1
Bennett 1
C.J.H. 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Emanuel 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Jn. 1
Jno. 1
Jno.K. 1
Lionel 1
Llewellyn 1
Wilson 1

FAQ

Prickett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Prickett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 817 people were recorded with the Prickett surname. That placed it at #4,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Prickett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 825 in 2016. That gives Prickett a modern rank of #6,734.

What does the Prickett surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of spiked fences or enclosures.

What does the Prickett map show?

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