UK surname
An English surname possibly derived from the Old English words "wacian" meaning to watch or guard, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village.
In the 1881 census there were 107 people recorded with the Wakem surname, ranking it #18,982 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 69, ranked #33,762, down from #18,982 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy, Gerrans and Milton Abbot. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wakem is 107 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 35.5%.
1881 census count
107
Ranked #18,982
Modern count
69
2016, ranked #33,762
Peak year
1881
107 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wakem surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wakem surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 101 | #17,036 |
| 1861 | historical | 54 | #27,127 |
| 1881 | historical | 107 | #18,982 |
| 1891 | historical | 89 | #25,542 |
| 1901 | historical | 100 | #22,863 |
| 1911 | historical | 77 | #25,106 |
| 1997 | modern | 63 | #31,335 |
| 1998 | modern | 61 | #31,841 |
| 1999 | modern | 56 | #32,461 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 58 | #32,180 |
| 2002 | modern | 61 | #32,286 |
| 2003 | modern | 62 | #32,258 |
| 2004 | modern | 66 | #32,079 |
| 2005 | modern | 65 | #32,387 |
| 2006 | modern | 62 | #33,043 |
| 2007 | modern | 59 | #33,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 59 | #33,827 |
| 2009 | modern | 62 | #33,832 |
| 2010 | modern | 59 | #34,273 |
| 2011 | modern | 59 | #34,265 |
| 2012 | modern | 62 | #34,155 |
| 2013 | modern | 65 | #34,059 |
| 2014 | modern | 69 | #33,833 |
| 2015 | modern | 69 | #33,788 |
| 2016 | modern | 69 | #33,762 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy, Gerrans, Milton Abbot, Reigate and Calstock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tavistock. Whitechurch, St Peter Tavy | Devon |
| 2 | Gerrans | Cornwall |
| 3 | Milton Abbot | Devon |
| 4 | Reigate | Surrey |
| 5 | Calstock | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wakem surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wakem, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Wakem surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wakem household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Wakem is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wakem is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wakem, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "WAKEM" is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the county of Yorkshire in northern England. The name is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century.
One of the earliest records of the name can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where it appears as "Wakeman." This spelling variation suggests that the name may have derived from the Old English words "wacu" and "mann," meaning "watchman" or "guard." The name could have been an occupational surname, denoting an individual who served as a watchman or guardian, possibly employed by a local lord or landowner.
Another theory proposes that the name "WAKEM" may have originated from a place name, such as the village of Wakefield in West Yorkshire. This connection could indicate that the surname was initially a locational name, referring to someone who hailed from or lived near Wakefield or a similar location.
In the 16th century, the name appears in various records with spellings like "Wakeham," "Wakeham," and "Wakeham." One notable bearer of the name was John Wakeham (c. 1550-1607), an English merchant and Member of Parliament from Southampton.
During the 17th century, the name "WAKEM" seems to have gained prominence in the county of Gloucestershire. Records from this period mention individuals like Thomas Wakem (1623-1697), a landowner and local magistrate, and his son, William Wakem (1655-1721), who served as the Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1707.
Moving into the 18th and 19th centuries, the name "WAKEM" appears in various historical documents and records across different regions of England. Notable bearers include:
1. James Wakem (1760-1832), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. 2. Elizabeth Wakem (1787-1865), an English author and poet from Yorkshire. 3. Robert Wakem (1812-1892), a prominent architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London. 4. William Wakem (1835-1911), a British explorer and naturalist known for his expeditions to the Amazon rainforest. 5. Mary Wakem (1865-1935), a philanthropist and social reformer who established several charitable organizations in Manchester.
While the surname "WAKEM" may not be among the most widespread or common names, it has a rich history rooted in various regions of England, with bearers who have made significant contributions in various fields over several centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wakem surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cornwall leads with 41 Wakems recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.70x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 41 | 34.70x |
| Devon | 22 | 10.13x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 1.25x |
| Hampshire | 10 | 4.68x |
| Sussex | 10 | 5.68x |
| Hertfordshire | 3 | 4.17x |
| Surrey | 3 | 0.59x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.16x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.72x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.33x |
| West Lothian | 1 | 6.37x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Calstock in Cornwall leads with 16 Wakems recorded in 1881 and an index of 689.66x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Calstock | 16 | 689.66x |
| Lewannick | 10 | 4347.83x |
| Milton Abbott | 10 | 3225.81x |
| Tavistock | 9 | 364.37x |
| Bromley London | 7 | 30.49x |
| Bexhill | 6 | 681.82x |
| Christchurch | 6 | 129.31x |
| Menheniot | 5 | 1020.41x |
| Alverstoke | 4 | 51.68x |
| Broadwater | 4 | 99.01x |
| Botus Fleming | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Gerrans | 3 | 937.50x |
| Hemel Hempstead | 3 | 92.59x |
| Lambeth | 3 | 3.30x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 3.57x |
| Ratcliffe London | 2 | 34.72x |
| Tormoham | 2 | 21.76x |
| Toxteth Park | 2 | 4.77x |
| Aberystruth | 1 | 15.04x |
| Altarnun | 1 | 243.90x |
| Gwennap | 1 | 44.84x |
| Mylor | 1 | 126.58x |
| North Hill | 1 | 263.16x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 5.08x |
| Queensferry | 1 | 263.16x |
| Queensferry | 1 | 714.29x |
| Sydenham Damerel | 1 | 588.24x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wakem surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Wakem surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Wakem households.
FAQ
In 1881, 107 people were recorded with the Wakem surname. That placed it at #18,982 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 69 in 2016. That gives Wakem a modern rank of #33,762.
An English surname possibly derived from the Old English words "wacian" meaning to watch or guard, and "ham" meaning a homestead or village.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wakem bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.