NameCensus.

UK surname

Tunks

A surname derived from a nickname for a mischievous or impish person.

In the 1881 census there were 184 people recorded with the Tunks surname, ranking it #13,551 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 224, ranked #18,164, down from #13,551 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kidderminster and Cardiff St John and St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Aylesbury Vale, Torridge and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tunks is 297 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.7%.

1881 census count

184

Ranked #13,551

Modern count

224

2016, ranked #18,164

Peak year

1911

297 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tunks had 184 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,551 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016, ranked #18,164.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 297 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tunks surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tunks surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tunks 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 245 #8,920
1861 historical 184 #12,856
1881 historical 184 #13,551
1891 historical 252 #12,685
1901 historical 266 #12,617
1911 historical 297 #11,524
1997 modern 249 #15,319
1998 modern 251 #15,631
1999 modern 262 #15,308
2000 modern 257 #15,468
2001 modern 250 #15,527
2002 modern 263 #15,277
2003 modern 244 #15,861
2004 modern 240 #16,144
2005 modern 231 #16,529
2006 modern 222 #17,092
2007 modern 222 #17,288
2008 modern 221 #17,495
2009 modern 229 #17,431
2010 modern 236 #17,427
2011 modern 230 #17,578
2012 modern 230 #17,479
2013 modern 228 #17,864
2014 modern 229 #17,925
2015 modern 227 #17,941
2016 modern 224 #18,164

Geography

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Where Tunks' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kidderminster, Cardiff St John and St Mary and Bitterley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Aylesbury Vale, Torridge, Shropshire and Chichester. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Kidderminster Worcestershire
4 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire
5 Bitterley Shropshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Aylesbury Vale 002 Aylesbury Vale
2 Aylesbury Vale 001 Aylesbury Vale
3 Torridge 004 Torridge
4 Shropshire 009 Shropshire
5 Chichester 004 Chichester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tunks

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tunks

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

Tunks 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

Tunks falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Tunks

The surname Tunks is believed to have originated in England, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. The name is thought to be derived from the Old English word "tunoc," which referred to a small, enclosed area of land or a farm. It is likely that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to someone who lived on or worked on such a plot of land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tunks can be found in the Hundredorum Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273, where it appears as "Tunok." This suggests that the name was already in use in the region during that time period.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "Tunke," "Tonke," and "Tonks," reflecting the variations in spelling that were common during that era. One notable early mention of the name can be found in the Poll Tax Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, where a "Johannes Tonke" is listed.

The Tunks surname has also been linked to certain place names in England, such as Tunstall, which is derived from the Old English words "tun" (meaning a farm or village) and "stallu" (meaning a place or clearing). It is possible that individuals from these areas adopted the name as a locational surname.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Tunks. One example is John Tunks (1644-1718), an English clergyman who served as the rector of Bletchingley in Surrey. Another is William Tunks (1835-1918), a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

Other notable figures with the surname Tunks include:

1. Edward Tunks (1809-1887), an English geologist and paleontologist. 2. Thomas Tunks (1766-1851), a British Army officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars. 3. Mary Tunks (1856-1932), a British author and novelist. 4. Henry Tunks (1788-1857), an English engraver and artist known for his topographical illustrations. 5. Elizabeth Tunks (1781-1854), a British diarist and writer whose journals provide valuable insights into life in the early 19th century.

While the surname Tunks is not among the most common in the English-speaking world, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tunks families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tunks 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. Middlesex leads with 42 Tunks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.34x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 42 2.34x
Sussex 35 11.57x
Shropshire 16 10.32x
Yorkshire 16 0.90x
Herefordshire 12 16.30x
Lancashire 12 0.56x
Surrey 9 1.03x
Warwickshire 9 1.99x
Buckinghamshire 8 7.37x
Essex 8 2.26x
Northamptonshire 6 3.55x
Kent 4 0.65x
Cheshire 2 0.50x
Worcestershire 2 0.85x
Hertfordshire 1 0.81x
Somerset 1 0.35x
Staffordshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Maresfield in Sussex leads with 19 Tunks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1484.38x.

Place Total Index
Maresfield 19 1484.38x
Kensington London 15 15.03x
Leominster Out 10 1449.28x
Bitterley 9 1475.41x
Cliffe 9 882.35x
Normanton 9 168.54x
Birmingham 8 5.30x
Buckingham 8 361.99x
Hayes 7 382.51x
Streatham 7 52.55x
West Ham 7 8.95x
Rainford 6 260.87x
St Marylebone London 6 6.26x
Erringden 5 434.78x
Hammersmith London 5 11.31x
Warrington 5 19.80x
Ashford 4 67.11x
Dawley 4 70.92x
Northampton All Sts 4 69.81x
Preston 4 75.76x
Norwood 3 73.17x
Cainham 2 277.78x
Cheam 2 212.77x
Chester St Oswald 2 27.89x
Paddington London 2 3.03x
St George Hanover 2 8.54x
Uckfield 2 151.52x
Brighton 1 1.64x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.96x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 7.40x
East Witton Without 1 769.23x
Grays Thurrock 1 30.40x
Huntspill 1 84.75x
Ickenham 1 400.00x
Kettering 1 14.64x
Kimbolton 1 263.16x
Mamble 1 714.29x
Rookwith 1 3333.33x
Stoke Prior 1 294.12x
Watford 1 10.43x
Wellingborough 1 11.78x
Wellington 1 11.47x
West Bromwich 1 277.78x
Westminster St 1 15.11x
Wombourn 1 89.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 9
Mary 8
Emily 7
Ann 6
Elizabeth 5
Lucy 5
Annie 4
Eliza 4
Alice 3
Caroline 3
Harriet 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Edith 2
Florence 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Maria 2
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Celia 1
Charlotte 1
Constant 1
Deborah 1
Dorcas 1
Eleanor 1
Ella 1
Endora 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Lalor 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Lousia 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Nelly 1
Rachel 1
Rosa 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
Henry 6
Joseph 6
Richard 6
George 5
James 5
John 5
Charles 4
Samuel 4
Thomas 4
Alfred 3
Benjamin 2
Frederick 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Allen 1
Austin 1
Ben 1
Chas. 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Isaac 1
Isiah 1
Israel 1
Joe 1
Leonard 1
Percy 1
Robert 1
Saml. 1
Sidney 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Tunks surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tunks surname in 1881?

In 1881, 184 people were recorded with the Tunks surname. That placed it at #13,551 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tunks surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016. That gives Tunks a modern rank of #18,164.

What does the Tunks surname mean?

A surname derived from a nickname for a mischievous or impish person.

What does the Tunks map show?

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