UK surname
A locative surname derived from a place name in England.
In the 1881 census there were 95 people recorded with the Rouke surname, ranking it #20,349 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 34, ranked #35,768, down from #20,349 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Pancras, Manchester and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rouke is 124 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 64.2%.
1881 census count
95
Ranked #20,349
Modern count
34
2016, ranked #35,768
Peak year
1861
124 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Rouke surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Rouke surname density by area, 1901 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 | 35 | #27,037 |
| 1861 | historical | 124 | #17,797 |
| 1881 | historical | 95 | #20,349 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 106 | #22,076 |
| 1911 | historical | 85 | #24,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 50 | #32,658 |
| 1998 | modern | 49 | #33,000 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 32 | #34,705 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 32 | #35,019 |
| 2005 | modern | 33 | #35,119 |
| 2006 | modern | 36 | #35,131 |
| 2007 | modern | 32 | #35,530 |
| 2008 | modern | 37 | #35,327 |
| 2009 | modern | 42 | #35,148 |
| 2010 | modern | 39 | #35,451 |
| 2011 | modern | 40 | #35,395 |
| 2012 | modern | 33 | #35,767 |
| 2013 | modern | 40 | #35,439 |
| 2014 | modern | 41 | #35,396 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 34 | #35,768 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Pancras, Manchester, St Marylebone, Liverpool and Easington. 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 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Easington | Durham |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Rouke 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 Rouke, 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 Rouke surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Rouke 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, Rouke 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 Rouke is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Rouke, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Rourke finds its origins in Ireland, specifically in the counties of Leitrim and Cavan. It dates back to the early medieval period, approximately the 11th century. The name is an anglicized form of the Gaelic "Ó Ruairc," meaning "descendant of Ruarc." The Gaelic personal name "Ruarc" itself is thought to derive from the Old Norse "Hroðrekr," which combines the elements for "fame" and "power." This points to a Viking influence, as Norsemen had significant interactions with Ireland during the time.
One of the earliest historical references to this surname can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. Here, Tighearnán Ó Ruairc, Lord of Breifne, is well-documented as an influential chieftain who died in 1172. The Annals provide significant information on the Ó Ruairc dynasty, tracing their power struggles and alliances over several centuries.
The earliest recorded example of the surname in a more anglicized form appears in the 16th century. Manuscripts from this period, such as the Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, list various members of the Rourke family in legal and land documents. The surname variants, including O'Rourke and O'Rorke, are noted in these records, indicating the family's integration into Anglophone administrative structures.
Another notable figure is Brian Ballach O'Rourke, the 1st Baron of Dromahaire, born circa 1540 and executed in 1591. He was a prominent Irish nobleman who resisted English rule. His rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I led to his apprehension and eventual execution, marking him as a significant historical figure.
Felim O'Rourke, son of Brian O'Rourke, also stands out in the annals of history. Born in 1565, he carried on his father's legacy but was eventually forced into submission by English forces in 1603. His life highlights the persistence of the Rourke family in resisting external domination.
In a different realm, Sir William O'Rourke (1680-1739) served as a distinguished officer in the Irish Brigade in the French Army. His military career exemplifies the diaspora's influence and integration into European societies.
Most notably in literature, Charles Rourke, born in 1838, gained recognition as a notable figure in Irish nationalist movements and contributed to the cultural resurgence in Ireland. His commitment to preserving Irish culture and heritage ensures the Rourke name remains synonymous with Irish pride and resistance.
While several variants of the name such as O'Rourke and O'Rorke exist, the surname Rourke has consistently symbolized strength, leadership, and resilience through these historical examples and their significant contributions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rouke 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. Lancashire leads with 40 Roukes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 40 | 3.64x |
| Yorkshire | 18 | 1.96x |
| Durham | 10 | 3.63x |
| Middlesex | 10 | 1.08x |
| Angus | 3 | 3.49x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 1.47x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 2.18x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.63x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.25x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 0.70x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.15x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.32x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.43x |
| Westmorland | 1 | 4.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 10 Roukes recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.97x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Rouke 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 Rouke 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 Rouke households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| Coal Miner | 4 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Dock Labourer | 2 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| General Labourer | 2 |
| Laborer | 2 |
| Ag Lab Unemployed | 1 |
| Ag Lab Wife | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Bath Attendant | 1 |
| Bombardier Royal Artillery | 1 |
| Brewer Labourer | 1 |
| Brokers Man (Oth) (Ctr) (Shoe M) | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Chem Works Lab | 1 |
| Coal Labourer | 1 |
| Commercial Traveller | 1 |
| Cotton Reeler | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Dom Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Sevt | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Druggist | 1 |
| Employed At Rope Works | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Labourer Wife | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Grinder In Mill | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Hawker Of Soft Goods | 1 |
| Housekeeper Genl Serv | 1 |
| Ironer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer (Gen) | 1 |
| Labr Iron Works | 1 |
| Leather Currier | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Out Door Pensioner | 1 |
| Paper Sorter | 1 |
| Photographer | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Porter Labourer | 1 |
| Poultry Dealer | 1 |
| Servant (Dom) | 1 |
| Sewing Machinist | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 95 people were recorded with the Rouke surname. That placed it at #20,349 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 34 in 2016. That gives Rouke a modern rank of #35,768.
A locative surname derived from a place name in England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Rouke 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.