NameCensus.

UK surname

Thirsk

A surname originating from the town of Thirsk in North Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 252 people recorded with the Thirsk surname, ranking it #11,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 264, ranked #16,172, down from #11,012 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Sutton and Stoneferry, Hull Holy Trinity and Newbald. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Middlesbrough and Test Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Thirsk is 358 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 4.8%.

1881 census count

252

Ranked #11,012

Modern count

264

2016, ranked #16,172

Peak year

1911

358 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Thirsk had 252 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,012 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 264 in 2016, ranked #16,172.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 358 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Thirsk surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Thirsk surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Thirsk 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 108 #16,308
1861 historical 125 #17,678
1881 historical 252 #11,012
1891 historical 273 #11,918
1901 historical 299 #11,673
1911 historical 358 #10,110
1997 modern 278 #14,210
1998 modern 284 #14,402
1999 modern 288 #14,346
2000 modern 286 #14,385
2001 modern 293 #13,933
2002 modern 285 #14,483
2003 modern 291 #14,100
2004 modern 280 #14,530
2005 modern 292 #14,072
2006 modern 280 #14,535
2007 modern 279 #14,732
2008 modern 283 #14,724
2009 modern 291 #14,742
2010 modern 297 #14,841
2011 modern 286 #15,091
2012 modern 287 #14,978
2013 modern 279 #15,574
2014 modern 277 #15,734
2015 modern 275 #15,707
2016 modern 264 #16,172

Geography

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Where Thirsks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Sutton and Stoneferry, Hull Holy Trinity, Newbald, Manchester and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Middlesbrough, Test Valley and Gwynedd. 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 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 Newbald Yorkshire, East Riding
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 015 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Middlesbrough 003 Middlesbrough
3 Test Valley 003 Test Valley
4 Middlesbrough 011 Middlesbrough
5 Gwynedd 007 Gwynedd

Forenames

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First names often paired with Thirsk

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Thirsk

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Thirsk is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Thirsk is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Thirsk falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Thirsk

The surname Thirsk is of English origin, derived from the town of Thirsk located in North Yorkshire, England. It is believed to have originated during the Middle English period, around the 12th or 13th century.

The name Thirsk is thought to be derived from the Old Norse words "þriðjungr" and "skógr," meaning "third part" and "wood" respectively. This suggests that the town of Thirsk was originally located in an area that was divided into three parts or was part of a larger woodland region.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Thirsk can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1166, where a person named Willelmus de Thyrsc is listed. This indicates that the surname was already well-established by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as Thrisk, Thrisc, and Thrysk, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that period.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Thirsk. However, it does mention the town of Treske, which is believed to be an earlier spelling of Thirsk.

One notable bearer of the Thirsk surname was Sir William Thirsk (c. 1430-1499), a English knight and landowner who served as Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1478. He was also a member of the prestigious Order of the Garter.

Another prominent figure was John Thirsk (c. 1640-1701), an English physician and writer who authored several medical treatises, including "The True Guide to Health" and "The Sympathetic Physician."

In the 18th century, Thomas Thirsk (1719-1788) was a renowned English clockmaker and watchmaker based in York, whose timepieces were highly sought after by wealthy patrons.

During the 19th century, Mary Thirsk (1823-1898) was a prominent English educator and advocate for women's rights. She founded several schools and played a key role in the movement to improve educational opportunities for girls.

More recently, Joan Thirsk (1922-2013) was a renowned English historian and academic who specialized in the study of agrarian history and rural life in early modern England. She authored numerous books and articles on these subjects and was widely respected in her field.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Thirsk families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Thirsk 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. Yorkshire leads with 208 Thirsks recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.54x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 208 8.54x
Lancashire 27 0.93x
Norfolk 7 1.85x
Aberdeenshire 4 1.76x
Lanarkshire 2 0.25x
Durham 1 0.14x
Kent 1 0.12x
Lincolnshire 1 0.25x
Middlesex 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sculcoates in Yorkshire leads with 51 Thirsks recorded in 1881 and an index of 132.06x.

Place Total Index
Sculcoates 51 132.06x
Sutton Stoneferry 21 301.29x
Holy Trinity 18 30.72x
Holme On Spalding Moor 13 812.50x
North Newbald 12 2181.82x
Southcoates 12 88.76x
Accrington 9 33.94x
Hulme 9 14.78x
Moss Side 9 58.63x
Kirby Grindalyth 7 3181.82x
Spofforth 7 2121.21x
Beverley St Martin 6 147.42x
Beverley St Mary 6 168.54x
Hessle In Sculcoates 6 279.07x
Hotham 6 1935.48x
Templenewsam 6 340.91x
Bewholme Nunkeeling 5 2173.91x
Castleford 5 56.37x
Felmingham 5 1515.15x
Aberdeen Old Machar 4 8.42x
Hutton Lowcross 4 2000.00x
Kilham 4 392.16x
York St Saviour 3 128.76x
Brotherton 2 204.08x
Ellerby In Skirlaugh 2 689.66x
Glasgow 2 1.42x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 2 17.62x
Kirkburn Battleburn 2 1538.46x
Barrow On Humber 1 43.86x
Beverley St Nicholas 1 50.00x
Bishopwearmouth 1 1.59x
Drypool 1 26.81x
Goodmanham 1 384.62x
Market Weighton Arras 1 63.29x
Newington 1 14.90x
Norton In Malton 1 33.90x
Pocklington 1 43.48x
Scarborough 1 4.52x
Sigglesthorne 1 555.56x
South Newbald 1 769.23x
St George Hanover 1 3.12x
Walmer 1 27.40x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 16
Elizabeth 12
Ann 8
Sarah 8
Annie 6
Eliza 5
Emily 5
Jane 5
Esther 4
Margaret 4
Alice 3
Kate 3
Ada 2
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Agness 1
Amy 1
Anie 1
Bertha 1
Betsey 1
Charlotte 1
Christa. 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elisa 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Hanh. 1
Hariet 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Lillian 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Martha 1
Maude 1
Robert 1
Rose 1
Sara 1
Selina 1
Shailota 1
Susan 1
Sussamah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 17
Thomas 13
George 11
William 11
James 9
Joseph 7
Henry 5
Harry 4
Robert 4
Charles 3
Jas. 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Jabey 2
Jesse 2
Leonard 2
Richard 2
Albert 1
Atkinson 1
Bernard 1
Chas.Wilson 1
Eleazor 1
Emanuel 1
Emmanuel 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Geo.Willm. 1
Isaac 1
Jabas 1
Jabez 1
Jacob 1
Stephen 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1
Wilfred 1
Wilson 1

FAQ

Thirsk surname: questions and answers

How common was the Thirsk surname in 1881?

In 1881, 252 people were recorded with the Thirsk surname. That placed it at #11,012 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Thirsk surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 264 in 2016. That gives Thirsk a modern rank of #16,172.

What does the Thirsk surname mean?

A surname originating from the town of Thirsk in North Yorkshire, England.

What does the Thirsk map show?

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