NameCensus.

UK surname

Sek

A Turkic surname possibly derived from the word "sekmek" meaning "to jump" or "to leap."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Epping Forest, Portsmouth and Hounslow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sek is 103 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

102

2016, ranked #30,722

Peak year

2013

103 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016, ranked #30,722.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Sek surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sek surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sek 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
1997 modern 30 #34,701
1998 modern 33 #34,532
1999 modern 33 #34,610
2000 modern 35 #34,420
2001 modern 34 #34,356
2002 modern 35 #34,554
2003 modern 37 #34,432
2004 modern 38 #34,555
2005 modern 43 #34,328
2006 modern 56 #33,587
2007 modern 65 #33,045
2008 modern 75 #32,373
2009 modern 79 #32,372
2010 modern 82 #32,492
2011 modern 83 #32,336
2012 modern 100 #30,258
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 103 #30,539
2015 modern 98 #31,342
2016 modern 102 #30,722

Geography

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Where Seks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Epping Forest, Portsmouth, Hounslow and Bristol. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Epping Forest 014 Epping Forest
2 Portsmouth 023 Portsmouth
3 Hounslow 008 Hounslow
4 Hounslow 010 Hounslow
5 Bristol 019 Bristol, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sek

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sek

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sek, 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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Sek surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Sek household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Sek is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sek is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Sek falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sek is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Sek

The surname "SEK" originated in the Scandinavian region, particularly in Sweden and Norway, during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word "sekkr," which referred to a bag or sack. This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in trades or professions related to sack-making or carrying goods.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "SEK" can be traced back to the 14th century in the Diplomatarium Norvegicum, a collection of historical documents from Norway. The name appeared in various spellings, such as "Sek," "Sekk," and "Sekkr," indicating its evolution over time.

In the 16th century, the name "SEK" was mentioned in the Älvsborgs lösen, a historical register documenting individuals who contributed to the ransom paid for the liberation of the Swedish fortress Älvsborg from Danish occupation. This record provides evidence of the name's presence in Sweden during this period.

During the 17th century, a notable figure bearing the surname "SEK" was Hans Sek (1595-1672), a Swedish pastor and author from Östergötland. His writings and sermons contributed to the religious and literary landscape of the time.

In the 19th century, the name "SEK" gained prominence with the birth of Christian Frederik Sek (1820-1892), a Norwegian industrialist and entrepreneur. He founded the successful Sek Brewery in Christiania (now Oslo), which played a significant role in the development of the Norwegian brewing industry.

Another individual of note was Henrik Sek (1875-1942), a Swedish architect and urban planner. He was instrumental in the design and development of several notable buildings and urban projects in Stockholm, leaving a lasting impact on the city's architectural landscape.

It is worth mentioning that the name "SEK" has also been associated with certain place names in Scandinavia. For instance, the village of Sek in Norway and the Sek River in Sweden share this name, suggesting a connection between the surname and geographical locations.

Throughout history, the surname "SEK" has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including pastors, entrepreneurs, architects, and likely many others whose contributions may have been overlooked or undocumented.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Sek surname: questions and answers

How common is the Sek surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016. That gives Sek a modern rank of #30,722.

What does the Sek surname mean?

A Turkic surname possibly derived from the word "sekmek" meaning "to jump" or "to leap."

What does the Sek map show?

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