NameCensus.

UK surname

Tonkins

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "son of Thomas" or "son of Tom".

In the 1881 census there were 153 people recorded with the Tonkins surname, ranking it #15,320 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 148, ranked #23,958, down from #15,320 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St Leonard Shoreditch and Witheridge, Thelbridge. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Devon, Cornwall and Babergh.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tonkins is 166 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.3%.

1881 census count

153

Ranked #15,320

Modern count

148

2016, ranked #23,958

Peak year

1861

166 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tonkins had 153 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,320 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016, ranked #23,958.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 166 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tonkins surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tonkins surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tonkins 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 60 #22,584
1861 historical 166 #14,039
1881 historical 153 #15,320
1891 historical 154 #18,004
1901 historical 72 #26,162
1911 historical 140 #18,657
1997 modern 137 #22,301
1998 modern 141 #22,517
1999 modern 146 #22,202
2000 modern 147 #22,081
2001 modern 138 #22,647
2002 modern 149 #22,001
2003 modern 148 #21,866
2004 modern 150 #21,830
2005 modern 142 #22,577
2006 modern 150 #21,915
2007 modern 155 #21,726
2008 modern 151 #22,323
2009 modern 150 #22,937
2010 modern 159 #22,577
2011 modern 164 #21,900
2012 modern 150 #23,264
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 148 #23,958

Geography

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Where Tonkins' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, St Leonard Shoreditch, Witheridge, Thelbridge, London parishes and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Devon, Cornwall and Babergh. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 Witheridge, Thelbridge Devon
4 London parishes London 3
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Devon 013 North Devon
2 North Devon 014 North Devon
3 Cornwall 053 Cornwall
4 Babergh 007 Babergh
5 Cornwall 055 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tonkins

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tonkins

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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Tonkins is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

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

Tonkins is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tonkins falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tonkins

The surname Tonkins is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest known records dating back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "tun" meaning "farm" or "settlement" and "kin" meaning "family" or "relatives." This suggests that the name may have originated as a descriptive term for families who lived on a particular farm or settlement.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1190, where a person named Willelmus Tonekyn is recorded. This early spelling variation provides insight into the name's evolution over time.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various records, including the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a John Tonekyn. During this period, the name was also found in other counties, such as Wiltshire and Somerset, indicating its spread across different regions of England.

The Tonkins name has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Tonkins (c. 1594-1660), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Kilkhampton in Cornwall. He wrote a book titled "The Fanatick's Calendars" in 1641.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Thomas Tonkins (1678-1742), a British architect and surveyor who worked on several notable buildings in London, including the Church of St. George-in-the-East and the Household Cavalry Barracks.

In the 18th century, Edward Tonkins (1712-1758) was a notable English lawyer and antiquarian who served as the Town Clerk of Bristol and published works on the history and antiquities of the city.

Moving into the 19th century, William Tonkins (1795-1873) was a British painter and lithographer known for his landscapes and architectural scenes. His works were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other prestigious institutions.

Additionally, George Tonkins (1852-1920) was a British politician and businessman who served as a Member of Parliament for the Falmouth and Penryn constituency from 1900 to 1918.

While the surname Tonkins has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and historical events. The name has been associated with various professions and fields, reflecting its diverse and interesting history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tonkins families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tonkins 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. Devon leads with 46 Tonkins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.81x.

County Total Index
Devon 46 14.81x
Middlesex 14 0.94x
Essex 12 4.07x
Surrey 12 1.65x
Gloucestershire 10 3.42x
Yorkshire 10 0.68x
Wiltshire 8 6.06x
Cornwall 6 3.55x
Lancashire 6 0.34x
Warwickshire 6 1.59x
Shropshire 5 3.88x
Sussex 4 1.59x
Leicestershire 3 1.81x
Glamorgan 2 0.77x
Hertfordshire 2 1.94x
Cumberland 1 0.78x
Durham 1 0.23x
Hampshire 1 0.33x
Northamptonshire 1 0.71x
Oxfordshire 1 1.09x
Staffordshire 1 0.20x
Worcestershire 1 0.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Eston in Yorkshire leads with 10 Tonkins' recorded in 1881 and an index of 310.56x.

Place Total Index
Eston 10 310.56x
Lambeth 10 7.69x
Thelbridge 9 8181.82x
Barking 8 92.81x
Stratford Under Castle 8 5000.00x
Woolfardisworthy 8 1777.78x
Bristol St James St Paul 6 61.48x
Madron Penzance 6 97.72x
Sandford 5 657.89x
Whittington 5 462.96x
Brighton 4 7.88x
Bromley London 4 12.18x
Coldridge 4 1666.67x
Dalton In Furness 3 43.86x
Edgbaston 3 25.71x
Hanwell 3 113.21x
Leicester St Margaret 3 7.43x
Tormoham 3 22.83x
Bethnal Green London 2 3.09x
Bristol St Paul In 2 25.64x
Cardiff St Mary 2 13.98x
Eggesford 2 2222.22x
Exminster 2 178.57x
Hatfield Peverel 2 312.50x
Leamington Priors 2 21.60x
Liverpool 2 1.86x
Morchard Bishop 2 307.69x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 8.36x
Plympton St Mary 2 111.11x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 6.66x
West Ham 2 3.08x
Westminster St James 2 13.04x
Witheridge 2 384.62x
Ardwick 1 6.26x
Birmingham 1 0.80x
Bristol St Michael 1 39.84x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 3.63x
Burrington 1 250.00x
Chawleigh 1 294.12x
Chelsea London 1 2.22x
Cleator 1 18.69x
Cowley 1 34.72x
East Stonehouse 1 16.34x
Great Amwell 1 97.09x
Handsworth 1 8.06x
Kennerleigh 1 2000.00x
Kensington London 1 1.21x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 14.01x
Ribbesford 1 61.73x
Royston 1 113.64x
Southampton 1 416.67x
St Marylebone London 1 1.26x
Stoke 1 79.37x
Whitburn 1 97.09x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 10
Elizabeth 8
Alice 4
Emily 4
Ellen 3
Jane 3
Margaret 3
Martha 3
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Clara 2
Hannah 2
Louisa 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Augusta 1
Barbara 1
Caroline 1
Charity 1
Eda 1
Eliza 1
Elizbeth 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Mildred 1
Nancy 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
Sophy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
James 7
John 7
Henry 5
Robert 4
George 3
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Charles 2
Frank 2
Josiah 2
Richard 2
Walter 2
...nry 1
A. 1
Alfred 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Emanuel 1
Ernest 1
Harold 1
Joe 1
Jonathan 1
Lionel 1
Louis 1
Louisa 1
Norman 1
Rewben 1
Sampson 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1
Theadore 1
Thomas 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Tonkins surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tonkins surname in 1881?

In 1881, 153 people were recorded with the Tonkins surname. That placed it at #15,320 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tonkins surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016. That gives Tonkins a modern rank of #23,958.

What does the Tonkins surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name meaning "son of Thomas" or "son of Tom".

What does the Tonkins map show?

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