UK surname
A surname possibly derived from the Dutch word 'weke' meaning 'marsh' or 'reedy place'.
In the 1881 census there were 76 people recorded with the Week surname, ranking it #22,745 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 11, ranked #37,501, down from #22,745 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Paddington, East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H and Bedwelty. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Week is 186 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 85.5%.
1881 census count
76
Ranked #22,745
Modern count
11
2016, ranked #37,501
Peak year
1891
186 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Week surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Week surname density by area, 1891 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 | 79 | #19,712 |
| 1861 | historical | 159 | #14,553 |
| 1881 | historical | 76 | #22,745 |
| 1891 | historical | 186 | #15,740 |
| 1901 | historical | 52 | #28,377 |
| 1911 | historical | 55 | #27,313 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 7 | #37,430 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 8 | #37,481 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 9 | #37,573 |
| 2010 | modern | 10 | #37,517 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 11 | #37,501 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Paddington, East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H, Bedwelty, Crediton, Colebroke, Shobrooke, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Cruwys Morchard and Camborne. 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 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | East Dean, Little Dean, Flaxley, Abinghall, Weston-under-Penyard (Ross, Herefordshire), Lea (Ross, H | Gloucestershire |
| 3 | Bedwelty | Monmouthshire |
| 4 | Crediton, Colebroke, Shobrooke, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Cruwys Morchard | Devon |
| 5 | Camborne | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Week 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 Week, 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 Week surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Week 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, Week 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 Week is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Week, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WEEK is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the late medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "wic," which referred to a dwelling, farm, or village. This name was often given to individuals who lived in or near a particular hamlet or settlement.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the WEEK surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, dating back to 1273. Here, a certain John atte Wike is mentioned, indicating the presence of this name in the region during that time. The spelling variations "Wike" and "Wyke" were also common in ancient records.
The WEEK name appears to have been particularly prevalent in the counties of Dorset, Somerset, and Devon in the southwestern part of England. Some historical references suggest a connection to the village of Week in Somerset, which may have contributed to the surname's origin.
In the 14th century, the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire list a Thomas del Wyke, showcasing the use of the preposition "del" to denote someone from a specific location. The Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1524 mention a John Wyke, further exemplifying the surname's evolution over time.
Notable individuals with the WEEK surname include:
1. Sir Thomas Wyke (c. 1520-1592), an English diplomat and ambassador during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. 2. John Wyke (c. 1545-1621), an English clergyman and author of theological works. 3. Robert Wyke (1789-1876), a British naval officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars. 4. Mary Wyke (1810-1887), a British philanthropist and social reformer known for her work in improving conditions for the poor. 5. William Wyke (1857-1924), a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
While the WEEK surname may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and origins can be traced back to the settlements and villages of medieval England, where it emerged as a descriptive name for those who dwelled in or near a particular location.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Week 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. Surrey leads with 17 Weeks recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.34x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 17 | 5.34x |
| Devon | 8 | 5.88x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 4.48x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 3.90x |
| Leicestershire | 5 | 6.90x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 0.61x |
| Wiltshire | 4 | 6.92x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.54x |
| Cornwall | 2 | 2.70x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.90x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 3.54x |
| Somerset | 2 | 1.90x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.82x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.69x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 2.22x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.13x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 2.12x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lamerton in Devon leads with 6 Weeks recorded in 1881 and an index of 2307.69x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lamerton | 6 | 2307.69x |
| Penge | 6 | 143.88x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 6 | 178.57x |
| Ashby De La Zouch | 5 | 297.62x |
| Bristol St Philip Jacob | 5 | 41.43x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 8.78x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 2 | 11.98x |
| Malmesbury St Paul | 2 | 400.00x |
| Probus | 2 | 666.67x |
| Southampton St Mary | 2 | 23.75x |
| Whitchurch | 2 | 465.12x |
| Alverstoke | 1 | 20.62x |
| Bedminster | 1 | 10.12x |
| Bedwellty | 1 | 11.99x |
| Broxbourne | 1 | 112.36x |
| Durrington | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Eastbourne | 1 | 19.72x |
| Great Budworth | 1 | 384.62x |
| Habberley | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.58x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 2.75x |
| Lilleshall | 1 | 116.28x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 1 | 27.10x |
| Newton Abbot St Mary | 1 | 87.72x |
| North Petherton | 1 | 117.65x |
| Portsea | 1 | 3.81x |
| Preston | 1 | 52.08x |
| Sevenoaks | 1 | 55.25x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.90x |
| Stranton | 1 | 15.27x |
| Thurlstone | 1 | 156.25x |
| West Derby | 1 | 4.41x |
| West Wellow | 1 | 769.23x |
| Whitechapel London | 1 | 15.53x |
| Withycombe Rawleigh | 1 | 140.85x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Week 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 Week 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 Week households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Mason | 3 |
| Accountant | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Assistant Grocer | 1 |
| Black Smith | 1 |
| Brickmaker | 1 |
| Butchers Porter | 1 |
| Cook Dom Sevt | 1 |
| Copper Miner | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Domestic Servant (General) | 1 |
| Engineer (Assistant)(C) | 1 |
| Farm Lab Indr | 1 |
| Gardener (ND) | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| House Maid | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid (Domestic) | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Local (Art) Student | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Naval Pensioner | 1 |
| Nurse Do Serv | 1 |
| Railway Signal Fitter | 1 |
| Retired Upholsterer | 1 |
| Shoemaker | 1 |
| Signal Fitter (Railway Contractor) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 76 people were recorded with the Week surname. That placed it at #22,745 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 11 in 2016. That gives Week a modern rank of #37,501.
A surname possibly derived from the Dutch word 'weke' meaning 'marsh' or 'reedy place'.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Week 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.