UK surname
A surname meaning "strong" or "powerful".
In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Starker surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #29,646 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Brigham and St Matthew Bethnal Green. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Starker is 123 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 82.1%.
1881 census count
28
Ranked #29,646
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1861
123 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Starker surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Starker surname density by area, 1891 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 | 38 | #26,502 |
| 1861 | historical | 123 | #17,914 |
| 1881 | historical | 28 | #29,646 |
| 1891 | historical | 102 | #23,719 |
| 1901 | historical | 45 | #29,156 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 11 | #37,217 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 10 | #37,504 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 5 | #38,228 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Brigham, St Matthew Bethnal Green, Jarrow and Whalley. 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 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 2 | Brigham | Cumberland |
| 3 | St Matthew Bethnal Green | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Jarrow | Durham |
| 5 | Whalley | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Starker 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 Starker, 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 Starker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Starker 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, Starker 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 Starker is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Starker, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname STARKER is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "stærca" which means "stiff" or "rigid." It is thought to have initially been an occupational name for someone who worked as a starcher, responsible for stiffening fabrics and clothing using various substances like starch.
This surname first appeared in historical records in the late 13th century, with one of the earliest documented instances being William le Starker, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. The 'le' prefix was commonly used at the time to denote a person's occupation or place of origin.
In the 14th century, the name was also found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, where a Walter Starker was mentioned in 1279. This record suggests that the name had spread beyond its initial roots in Worcestershire.
One of the earliest known bearers of the STARKER surname was John Starker, a merchant from London who was mentioned in the city's records in 1378. His profession as a merchant may have been connected to the trade of starched fabrics or clothing.
In the 16th century, the name appeared in various forms, including Starker, Starkar, and Starcare, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time. One notable individual was Thomas Starker, a landowner from Oxfordshire, who was born in 1512 and died in 1587.
During the 17th century, the STARKER surname was found in various parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing this name in counties such as Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. One prominent figure was Sir William Starker (1620-1689), a Member of Parliament for Worcestershire and a respected landowner.
In the 18th century, the STARKER surname continued to be present in various regions of England, with records indicating individuals bearing this name in counties like Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Shropshire. One notable person was Edward Starker (1712-1776), a successful merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire.
By the 19th century, the STARKER surname had spread across the British Isles and beyond, as the Industrial Revolution and increased mobility led to the dispersal of families bearing this name. Some notable individuals from this period include John Starker (1810-1888), a prominent industrialist from Manchester, and William Starker (1836-1912), a respected educator and headmaster in London.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Starker 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. Durham leads with 11 Starkers recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.55x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 11 | 13.55x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 2.96x |
| Lincolnshire | 5 | 11.46x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.62x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.75x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.45x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Darlington in Durham leads with 5 Starkers recorded in 1881 and an index of 159.74x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Darlington | 5 | 159.74x |
| Pinchbeck | 5 | 1785.71x |
| Westoe | 5 | 108.70x |
| Middlesbrough | 4 | 113.64x |
| Blackley | 1 | 175.44x |
| Burnley | 1 | 36.63x |
| Chapel Allerton | 1 | 250.00x |
| Croydon | 1 | 13.55x |
| Grindon | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Halifax | 1 | 25.19x |
| Holme On Wolds | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Princethorpe | 1 | 3333.33x |
| York St Margaret | 1 | 588.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Starker 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 Starker 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 Starker households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Brewer | 1 |
| Engine Man At Wks (Driver) | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Iron Works Laborer | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Members Of Religious Community | 1 |
| Shipwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Starker surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Starker a modern rank of #38,264.
A surname meaning "strong" or "powerful".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Starker 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.