NameCensus.

UK surname

Straker

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "dweller on the stony ground".

In the 1881 census there were 544 people recorded with the Straker surname, ranking it #6,344 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,183, ranked #5,024, up from #6,344 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sutton and Stoneferry, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Straker is 1,211 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 117.5%.

1881 census count

544

Ranked #6,344

Modern count

1,183

2016, ranked #5,024

Peak year

2014

1,211 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Straker had 544 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,344 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,183 in 2016, ranked #5,024.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 854 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Straker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Straker surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Straker 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 320 #7,250
1861 historical 266 #9,318
1881 historical 544 #6,344
1891 historical 570 #6,671
1901 historical 726 #6,102
1911 historical 854 #5,191
1997 modern 1,146 #4,896
1998 modern 1,190 #4,918
1999 modern 1,208 #4,905
2000 modern 1,202 #4,898
2001 modern 1,159 #4,959
2002 modern 1,172 #5,005
2003 modern 1,145 #5,011
2004 modern 1,145 #5,017
2005 modern 1,142 #4,968
2006 modern 1,152 #4,929
2007 modern 1,160 #4,949
2008 modern 1,156 #4,988
2009 modern 1,169 #5,052
2010 modern 1,209 #5,009
2011 modern 1,190 #5,018
2012 modern 1,149 #5,092
2013 modern 1,202 #4,973
2014 modern 1,211 #4,977
2015 modern 1,176 #5,061
2016 modern 1,183 #5,024

Geography

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Where Strakers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sutton and Stoneferry, London parishes, Gateshead, Leeds and Bedlington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland. 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 Sutton and Stoneferry Yorkshire, East Riding
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Bedlington Northumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 006 Northumberland
2 Northumberland 005 Northumberland
3 Northumberland 021 Northumberland
4 Northumberland 024 Northumberland
5 Northumberland 012 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Straker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Straker

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Straker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Straker household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Straker is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Straker 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

Straker falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Straker

The surname Straker has its origins in the northern English counties of Northumberland and Durham, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Middle English word "strake," which means "a streak or streak of color." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname given to someone who dyed cloth or worked with colored fabrics.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Straker can be found in the Assize Rolls of Northumberland from 1279, which mentions a person named Robert Straker. Another early record is from the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where a John Straker is listed.

In the 16th century, the surname Straker appeared in various spellings, such as Straker, Streaker, and Streyker, reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling during that era. One notable historical figure was John Straker (c. 1530-1590), a merchant and alderman from Newcastle upon Tyne, who served as the town's mayor in 1574.

During the 17th century, the surname Straker became more prominent in the county of Durham, with several references in parish records and local histories. One such record is from the Parish Registers of Lanchester, Durham, which mentions the marriage of Thomas Straker and Jane Stevenson in 1642.

In the 18th century, the Straker family had established themselves as landowners and influential members of the local gentry in the Durham area. A notable figure from this period was William Straker (1703-1782), a successful businessman and coal owner who owned extensive estates in the region.

The 19th century saw the Straker name spread further afield, with family members pursuing various professions and contributing to various fields. One prominent individual was John Straker (1816-1888), a civil engineer who played a significant role in the development of railways in England and India. Another notable figure was Sir John Straker (1848-1927), a successful industrialist and philanthropist who served as the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1902.

Throughout history, several other individuals with the surname Straker have made significant contributions in fields such as literature, academia, and the military. These include the author and journalist Cuthbert Straker (1876-1957), the physicist and academic Sir Graham Straker (1899-1987), and Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Straker (1869-1955), a highly decorated British Army officer who served in both World Wars.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Straker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Straker 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. Northumberland leads with 123 Strakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.58x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 123 15.58x
Yorkshire 120 2.28x
Middlesex 80 1.51x
Durham 72 4.56x
Surrey 33 1.28x
Lancashire 24 0.38x
Monmouthshire 24 6.26x
Kent 16 0.88x
Cheshire 15 1.28x
Essex 12 1.15x
Devon 9 0.81x
Hampshire 5 0.46x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.89x
Lincolnshire 2 0.24x
Somerset 2 0.23x
Sussex 2 0.22x
Dorset 1 0.29x
Warwickshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sutton Stoneferry in Yorkshire leads with 23 Strakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 152.82x.

Place Total Index
Sutton Stoneferry 23 152.82x
Abergavenny 22 153.10x
Islington London 22 4.28x
Leeds 22 7.41x
Clerkenwell London 21 16.77x
Bedlington 15 56.90x
Darlington 14 22.97x
Salford 13 7.02x
Great Driffield 12 111.21x
Camberwell 11 3.25x
Coulsdon 11 234.04x
Holy Trinity 11 8.70x
Lambeth 11 2.38x
Widdrington 11 582.01x
Beverley St Martin 10 113.90x
Friern Barnet 9 76.99x
Lewisham 9 9.32x
Tynemouth 9 21.29x
West Layton 9 6428.57x
Alnwick 8 58.95x
Crossgate 8 115.94x
East Chevington 8 304.18x
Great Warford 8 1250.00x
Horton 8 205.13x
North Shields 8 50.76x
Tudhoe 8 57.93x
Witton Gilbert 8 128.41x
Cowpen 7 38.50x
Deptford St Paul 7 5.01x
Tavistock 7 55.64x
Bollin Fee 6 115.38x
Boulmer Seaton House 6 1500.00x
Byker 6 15.37x
Dagenham 6 96.31x
Hampstead London 6 7.26x
Hornsey 6 8.94x
Sculcoates 6 7.20x
Westoe 6 6.70x
Hackney London 5 1.68x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 5 7.31x
Preston 5 172.41x
Tollesbury 5 190.84x
Toxteth Park 5 2.34x
Wallsend 5 19.97x
Guyzance 4 1212.12x
Morpeth 4 43.10x
Portsea 4 1.88x
Seaton Delaval 4 57.72x
South Shields 4 28.45x
St Pancras London 4 0.94x
Willington 4 43.86x
Woodmansey Cum Beverley 4 404.04x
Amble 3 83.57x
Conside Knitsley 3 24.43x
Newchurch 3 5.82x
Pegswood 3 169.49x
Stockton On Tees 3 3.94x
Westgate 3 6.14x
Bothal Demesne 2 52.91x
Gate Fulford 2 16.29x
Newport 2 10.93x
North Sunderland 2 110.50x
Norton 2 34.48x
Poplar London 2 2.00x
Sutton 2 33.39x
Tormoham 2 4.28x
Twickenham 2 8.79x
West Derby 2 1.09x
Weston Super Mare 2 9.27x
Withernsea 2 327.87x
All Saints Cambridge 1 42.37x
Bishopwearmouth 1 0.74x
Blackburn 1 0.60x
Burton Pidsea 1 156.25x
Craster 1 250.00x
Edmonton 1 2.34x
Elswick 1 1.59x
Southcoates 1 3.43x
Swine 1 277.78x
Whitworth 1 8.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 38
Margaret 17
Sarah 14
Jane 13
Elizabeth 12
Ann 11
Agnes 9
Alice 9
Ada 8
Annie 8
Harriet 8
Caroline 7
Eliza 7
Edith 5
Ellen 5
Emily 5
Isabella 5
A. 4
Gertrude 4
Emma 3
Frances 3
Grace 3
Hannah 3
Kate 3
Lydia 3
Rachel 3
Barbara 2
Catherine 2
E. 2
Eleanor 2
Ellenor 2
Harriett 2
J. 2
Phillis 2
Rose 2
Anna 1
Anne 1
B.Mary 1
Cecilia 1
Charity 1
Christian 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Dorothea 1
F. 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Francesa 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 35
William 28
Thomas 24
George 18
James 16
Henry 10
Robert 9
Alfred 8
Charles 7
Richard 7
Joseph 6
Arthur 5
Frank 5
Matthew 5
Albert 4
Edwin 4
Herbert 4
Martin 4
Walter 4
Ernest 3
Fredk. 3
W. 3
Daniel 2
David 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Geo. 2
Harry 2
Howard 2
Jno. 2
Benjamin 1
Colin 1
Edgar 1
Ellen 1
Ethelbert 1
Ewd. 1
Fredric 1
Gerald 1
Hartley 1
J.K. 1
Jack 1
Jame 1
Lionel 1
Michael 1
Morton 1
Nathaniel 1
Percy 1
Robins 1
Robt. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Straker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Straker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 544 people were recorded with the Straker surname. That placed it at #6,344 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Straker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,183 in 2016. That gives Straker a modern rank of #5,024.

What does the Straker surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "dweller on the stony ground".

What does the Straker map show?

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