NameCensus.

UK surname

Tokar

Occupational surname derived from the Polish word meaning "turner" or "lathe worker".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bradford, Newcastle upon Tyne and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tokar is 159 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

151

2016, ranked #23,615

Peak year

2014

159 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016, ranked #23,615.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Tokar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tokar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tokar 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
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1997 modern 10 #37,060
1998 modern 11 #36,908
1999 modern 9 #37,217
2000 modern 10 #37,001
2001 modern 10 #36,852
2002 modern 14 #36,484
2003 modern 17 #36,198
2004 modern 24 #35,697
2005 modern 36 #34,894
2006 modern 59 #33,330
2007 modern 73 #32,287
2008 modern 67 #33,135
2009 modern 96 #30,239
2010 modern 123 #26,728
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 143 #24,019
2013 modern 156 #23,004
2014 modern 159 #22,930
2015 modern 152 #23,507
2016 modern 151 #23,615

Geography

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Where Tokars 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 Bradford, Newcastle upon Tyne and Rotherham. 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 Bradford 037 Bradford
2 Bradford 030 Bradford
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 022 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Rotherham 017 Rotherham
5 Bradford 044 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tokar

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tokar

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Tokar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Tokar household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Tokar is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Tokar 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

Tokar 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 Tokar is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Tokar

The surname Tokar has its origins in Poland, dating back to the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Polish word "tokarz," which refers to a turner or lathe worker. This occupational surname suggests that the earliest bearers were involved in woodturning or related crafts.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Akta Grodzkie, a collection of Polish court records from the 15th and 16th centuries. In these documents, a certain Jan Tokar is mentioned in relation to a court case in the town of Krakow in the year 1487.

During the Middle Ages, the name Tokar likely had several spelling variations, including Tokarz, Tokarczyk, and Tokarczuk. These variations reflect the fluid nature of surname spellings in that era, which often depended on regional dialects and the preferences of scribes and record-keepers.

In the 16th century, the town of Tokarnia in central Poland was named after a family with the surname Tokar, indicating their presence and influence in the area. This place name connection further reinforces the deep roots of the surname in Polish history.

One notable historical figure bearing the Tokar surname was Jan Tokar (1540-1607), a Polish Renaissance painter and architect who contributed to the development of the Mannerist style in Poland. His works can be found in various churches and castles throughout the country.

Another significant bearer of the name was Michał Tokar (1767-1825), a Polish general who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and the November Uprising against the Russian Empire. He is remembered for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the 19th century, Józef Tokar (1818-1876) was a prominent Polish educator and writer who advocated for the use of the Polish language in schools and literature. His efforts played a crucial role in preserving Polish cultural identity during a period of foreign occupation.

The surname Tokar also found its way to other parts of Europe, particularly in regions with significant Polish populations. For instance, Grigory Tokar (1890-1937) was a Soviet military commander of Polish descent who played a role in the Russian Civil War and the early years of the Soviet Union.

In more recent times, Jerzy Tokar (1931-2010) was a respected Polish actor and director, known for his contributions to both stage and screen. He received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, cementing his place in the history of Polish theatre and film.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Tokar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Tokar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016. That gives Tokar a modern rank of #23,615.

What does the Tokar surname mean?

Occupational surname derived from the Polish word meaning "turner" or "lathe worker".

What does the Tokar map show?

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