NameCensus.

UK surname

Tucker

An occupational surname referring to a fabric pleater or fold-stitcher.

In the 1881 census there were 16,480 people recorded with the Tucker surname, ranking it #234 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 20,292, ranked #295, down from #234 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mid Devon, South Hams and North Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tucker is 21,285 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23.1%.

1881 census count

16,480

Ranked #234

Modern count

20,292

2016, ranked #295

Peak year

1999

21,285 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tucker had 16,480 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #234 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 20,292 in 2016, ranked #295.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 21,032 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tucker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tucker surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tucker 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 11,412 #217
1861 historical 10,081 #256
1881 historical 16,480 #234
1891 historical 15,888 #266
1901 historical 19,664 #249
1911 historical 21,032 #207
1997 modern 20,446 #287
1998 modern 21,173 #287
1999 modern 21,285 #287
2000 modern 21,178 #287
2001 modern 20,569 #287
2002 modern 20,945 #288
2003 modern 20,465 #288
2004 modern 20,338 #290
2005 modern 19,808 #290
2006 modern 19,749 #290
2007 modern 19,830 #293
2008 modern 19,848 #293
2009 modern 20,407 #292
2010 modern 20,702 #292
2011 modern 20,515 #293
2012 modern 20,035 #292
2013 modern 20,511 #292
2014 modern 20,638 #293
2015 modern 20,424 #293
2016 modern 20,292 #295

Geography

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Where Tuckers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mid Devon, South Hams and North Devon. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 London parishes London 1
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mid Devon 011 Mid Devon
2 South Hams 011 South Hams
3 North Devon 013 North Devon
4 South Hams 010 South Hams
5 North Devon 006 North Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tucker

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tucker

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Tucker 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

Tucker is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Tucker falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tucker

The surname Tucker has its origins in England, where it first emerged as an occupational name during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old English word "tucian," which means "to make full" or "to tuck." It is believed that the name was initially given to those who worked as fullers, responsible for thickening and finishing woolen cloth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Tucker surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The surname appears as "le Tuckere" and is associated with individuals residing in various counties, including Essex, Suffolk, and Wiltshire.

In the 13th century, the surname was often spelled as "Toukere" or "Towkere," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. As the Tucker family proliferated, they established roots in various parts of England, with concentrations in counties like Somerset, Devon, and Gloucestershire.

One notable figure bearing the Tucker surname was Thomas Tucker (1554-1629), an English poet and composer who served as a chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent individual was Benjamin Tucker (1642-1708), an English philosopher and influential thinker during the Age of Enlightenment.

The Tucker name also gained prominence in the American colonies, where several individuals made significant contributions. Samuel Tucker (1747-1833) was a renowned naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War, while John Tucker (1719-1792) was a prominent merchant and politician in colonial Virginia.

In the 19th century, the Tucker surname was associated with several notable figures, including John Randolph Tucker (1823-1897), a lawyer and politician who served as the United States Attorney General under President Grover Cleveland. Additionally, Benjamin Ricketson Tucker (1854-1939) was an influential American anarchist and publisher of the periodical "Liberty."

Throughout its history, the Tucker surname has been linked to various place names, such as Tuckersville in Pennsylvania and Tucker County in West Virginia. These place names likely originated from the presence of Tucker families in those areas, reflecting their influence and contributions to the local communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tucker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tucker 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 3,578 Tuckers recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.63x.

County Total Index
Devon 3,578 10.63x
Middlesex 2,104 1.30x
Somerset 1,887 7.25x
Surrey 1,111 1.41x
Kent 965 1.75x
Glamorgan 747 2.65x
Gloucestershire 719 2.27x
Cornwall 649 3.55x
Wiltshire 604 4.22x
Dorset 433 4.08x
Lancashire 421 0.22x
Hampshire 376 1.13x
Monmouthshire 308 2.64x
Essex 261 0.82x
Yorkshire 244 0.15x
Berkshire 200 1.65x
Warwickshire 183 0.45x
Durham 179 0.37x
Sussex 162 0.59x
Buckinghamshire 133 1.36x
Nottinghamshire 99 0.45x
Northamptonshire 95 0.62x
Hertfordshire 88 0.79x
Staffordshire 79 0.14x
Channel Islands 66 1.38x
Northumberland 66 0.27x
Pembrokeshire 63 1.23x
Worcestershire 56 0.27x
Oxfordshire 54 0.54x
Derbyshire 52 0.21x
Suffolk 50 0.25x
Lincolnshire 48 0.19x
Bedfordshire 47 0.56x
Lanarkshire 46 0.09x
Carmarthenshire 45 0.66x
Cheshire 45 0.13x
Leicestershire 35 0.20x
Royal Navy 35 1.82x
Midlothian 34 0.16x
Renfrewshire 31 0.25x
Brecknockshire 20 0.62x
Shropshire 20 0.14x
Norfolk 19 0.08x
Merionethshire 12 0.41x
Angus 11 0.07x
Cumberland 10 0.07x
Aberdeenshire 9 0.06x
Cambridgeshire 8 0.08x
Huntingdonshire 8 0.25x
Montgomeryshire 8 0.22x
Anglesey 5 0.17x
Cardiganshire 5 0.13x
Fife 5 0.05x
Stirlingshire 5 0.08x
Ayrshire 4 0.03x
Flintshire 4 0.09x
Westmorland 4 0.11x
Denbighshire 3 0.05x
Rutland 3 0.25x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.03x
Herefordshire 2 0.03x
Ross-shire 2 0.05x
Berwickshire 1 0.05x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.02x
East Lothian 1 0.05x
West Lothian 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. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 257 Tuckers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.82x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 257 1.82x
St Pancras London 223 1.71x
Islington London 207 1.32x
Bedminster 171 6.99x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 169 5.66x
Camberwell 169 1.64x
Tormoham 166 11.66x
Swansea Town 157 6.80x
Hackney London 135 1.49x
Kensington London 127 1.41x
St Marylebone London 122 1.41x
Martock 121 71.53x
Plymouth St Andrew 120 4.63x
Stoke Damerel 119 5.05x
Battersea 118 1.98x
Birmingham 106 0.78x
Bradford On Avon 100 21.85x
Walcot 97 7.00x
Ilfracombe 94 27.14x
Bermondsey 93 1.93x
Bromley London 91 2.56x
Mile End Old Town 89 3.49x
Paddington London 86 1.45x
Newington 84 1.41x
Totnes 84 42.68x
Tiverton 81 13.97x
West Ham 79 1.12x
Bristol St James St Paul 76 7.19x
Georgeham 70 165.56x
Chelsea London 69 1.42x
Barnstaple 68 12.87x
Trevethin 68 6.16x
Cardiff St Mary 67 4.32x
Plymouth Charles The 65 4.38x
Portsea 64 0.99x
Roath 63 4.93x
Wedmore 63 37.21x
Braunton 62 54.34x
Clerkenwell London 60 1.57x
Fulham London 59 2.52x
Exeter St Thomas The 58 16.91x
Bristol St Paul In 57 6.75x
Poplar London 57 1.87x
Brixham 55 14.11x
Bristol St George 54 3.68x
Greenwich 54 2.10x
Bideford 53 14.70x
Brighton 53 0.96x
Clifton 53 3.31x
Exeter St Sidwell 53 6.88x
Aberystruth 52 5.05x
Aston 52 0.46x
Minster In Sheppey 52 5.69x
St George Hanover 52 2.46x
Gateshead 51 1.42x
Blackawton 50 85.24x
Yeovil 50 9.46x
Nottingham St Mary 49 0.87x
Shoreditch London 49 0.70x
Southampton St Mary 49 2.35x
St Woollos 49 3.76x
Westbury On Trym 49 4.56x
St George In East 48 4.37x
Morchard Bishop 47 66.93x
Deptford St Paul 46 1.08x
St Austell 46 7.35x
Othery 45 140.71x
Chulmleigh 44 57.41x
Gillingham 44 3.87x
Lyncombe Widcombe 44 6.46x
St Lawrence 44 11.60x
Trowbridge 44 6.96x
Limehouse London 43 2.42x
Ystradyfodwg 43 1.74x
Hammersmith London 42 1.05x
Bedwellty 41 1.99x
Calstock 41 11.42x
South Molton 41 22.18x
Plumstead 40 2.18x
St Teath 40 36.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1,116
Elizabeth 716
Sarah 519
Jane 292
Eliza 288
Ann 284
Emma 278
Emily 260
Ellen 259
Annie 225
Alice 217
Louisa 156
Florence 124
Susan 122
Charlotte 119
Maria 110
Martha 109
Edith 106
Hannah 105
Fanny 101
Margaret 101
Caroline 96
Harriet 94
Ada 80
Frances 77
Kate 73
Lucy 73
Catherine 72
Clara 68
Amelia 63
Anne 57
Bessie 55
Jessie 48
Matilda 46
Rose 42
Harriett 41
Agnes 38
Julia 38
Minnie 38
Selina 37
Rebecca 36
Anna 35
Grace 35
Amy 34
Ethel 34
Sophia 33
Laura 32
Lydia 29
Helen 28
Maud 28

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 1,126
John 949
George 618
James 430
Thomas 385
Henry 383
Charles 372
Alfred 194
Joseph 194
Edward 188
Frederick 188
Robert 174
Richard 168
Samuel 162
Albert 139
Arthur 135
Walter 116
Edwin 90
Frank 90
Ernest 77
Harry 73
Francis 72
Wm. 56
David 47
Herbert 47
Sidney 40
Benjamin 38
Fred 36
Stephen 30
Philip 27
Isaac 25
Percy 23
Sydney 23
Thos. 23
Daniel 21
Tom 21
Edmund 18
Fredk. 18
Fredrick 16
Geo. 16
Mark 16
Frederic 14
Nicholas 14
Patrick 12
Peter 12
Eli 11
Emanuel 11
Willie 11
Edgar 10
Elias 10

Top occupations

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 Tucker households.

FAQ

Tucker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tucker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16,480 people were recorded with the Tucker surname. That placed it at #234 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tucker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 20,292 in 2016. That gives Tucker a modern rank of #295.

What does the Tucker surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a fabric pleater or fold-stitcher.

What does the Tucker map show?

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