NameCensus.

UK surname

Weekes

Derived from a nickname for someone with a cheerful disposition or born on a Sunday.

In the 1881 census there were 758 people recorded with the Weekes surname, ranking it #4,871 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,596, ranked #2,560, up from #4,871 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Leeds and Dartford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Weekes is 2,667 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 242.5%.

1881 census count

758

Ranked #4,871

Modern count

2,596

2016, ranked #2,560

Peak year

2010

2,667 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Weekes had 758 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,871 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,596 in 2016, ranked #2,560.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,605 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Weekes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Weekes surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Weekes 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 576 #4,422
1861 historical 389 #6,580
1881 historical 758 #4,871
1891 historical 1,038 #4,024
1901 historical 1,372 #3,663
1911 historical 1,605 #3,028
1997 modern 2,443 #2,573
1998 modern 2,572 #2,539
1999 modern 2,609 #2,527
2000 modern 2,587 #2,535
2001 modern 2,535 #2,528
2002 modern 2,591 #2,540
2003 modern 2,528 #2,543
2004 modern 2,534 #2,537
2005 modern 2,465 #2,568
2006 modern 2,464 #2,575
2007 modern 2,482 #2,585
2008 modern 2,501 #2,581
2009 modern 2,548 #2,601
2010 modern 2,667 #2,550
2011 modern 2,625 #2,554
2012 modern 2,567 #2,563
2013 modern 2,633 #2,553
2014 modern 2,642 #2,551
2015 modern 2,606 #2,557
2016 modern 2,596 #2,560

Geography

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Where Weekes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Tunbridge, Bidborough and Wickham, East. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Leeds, Dartford, Mid Devon and Purbeck. 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 London parishes London 1
3 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
4 London parishes London 3
5 Wickham, East Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 034 Cornwall
2 Leeds 042 Leeds
3 Dartford 012 Dartford
4 Mid Devon 008 Mid Devon
5 Purbeck 006 Purbeck

Forenames

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First names often paired with Weekes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Weekes

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Weekes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Weekes 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Weekes is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Weekes is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Weekes falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Weekes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Weekes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Weekes

The surname Weekes is of English origin, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "wic," meaning a dwelling or a small village. This name was likely given to someone who lived in a small settlement or hamlet.

In the Domesday Book, a historical record compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, the name appears as "Wiche" and "Wike." These early spellings suggest that the surname Weekes evolved from these Old English forms over time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Weekes can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1296, where a John atte Wike is listed. The use of the preposition "atte" before the placename indicates that the surname was initially a locational name, referring to a person's place of origin or residence.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Weekes was primarily concentrated in the southern counties of England, particularly in Sussex, Hampshire, and Dorset. Notable individuals from this period include Sir Thomas Weekes (c. 1260-1335), a prominent landowner and knight who served under King Edward I and King Edward II.

In the 16th century, the surname Weekes can be found in various records, such as the Feet of Fines for Essex from 1557, which mentions a Robert Weekes. Another notable figure from this period is Richard Weekes (c. 1510-1578), a Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake during the Marian Persecutions.

The 17th century saw the surname Weekes spread to other parts of England, including the Midlands and the North. One notable bearer of the name was Sir Thomas Weekes (1623-1700), a wealthy merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1693.

In the 18th century, the surname Weekes continued to be prominent in various parts of England. Samuel Weekes (1733-1804) was a notable English Baptist minister and author, known for his works on theology and religious history.

During the 19th century, the surname Weekes also found its way to other parts of the British Empire, including Canada and Australia. One notable figure from this period was Sir John Weekes (1834-1912), a Canadian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Canadian Parliament.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Weekes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Weekes 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. Kent leads with 228 Weekes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.01x.

County Total Index
Kent 228 9.01x
Middlesex 103 1.39x
Devon 86 5.57x
Surrey 70 1.94x
Sussex 61 4.88x
Gloucestershire 31 2.13x
Cornwall 25 2.98x
Somerset 21 1.76x
Lancashire 15 0.17x
Yorkshire 14 0.19x
Essex 13 0.89x
Warwickshire 13 0.70x
Glamorgan 12 0.93x
Wiltshire 10 1.53x
Leicestershire 7 0.85x
Hampshire 6 0.39x
Staffordshire 6 0.24x
Anglesey 5 3.81x
Berkshire 5 0.90x
Monmouthshire 5 0.93x
Cheshire 4 0.24x
Derbyshire 4 0.34x
Hertfordshire 4 0.78x
Durham 2 0.09x
Midlothian 2 0.20x
Norfolk 2 0.18x
Royal Navy 2 2.26x
Worcestershire 2 0.21x
Herefordshire 1 0.33x
Lanarkshire 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. East Wickham in Kent leads with 41 Weekes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1366.67x.

Place Total Index
East Wickham 41 1366.67x
Camberwell 22 4.65x
Kensington London 20 4.85x
Plymouth St Andrew 20 16.82x
Tonbridge 19 20.83x
Brighton 18 7.14x
Gillingham 18 34.52x
Plymouth Charles The 13 19.12x
Woolwich 13 13.91x
Battersea 12 4.40x
Islington London 12 1.67x
Plumstead 10 11.86x
Salehurst 10 184.84x
Aberdare 9 10.16x
Barrow Gurney 9 1153.85x
Dodbrooke 9 294.12x
Godalming 9 39.58x
Hawkhurst 9 114.50x
Lambeth 9 1.39x
Maker 9 116.13x
Southwark St George Martyr 9 6.03x
Aston 8 1.55x
Bexley 8 35.78x
Erith 8 32.10x
Northfleet 8 35.91x
Probus 8 232.56x
Shoreditch London 8 2.49x
St George Hanover 8 8.27x
Chagford 7 189.70x
Horton In Bradford 7 6.10x
Plymstock 7 86.63x
Shadwell London 7 33.73x
Ashford 6 24.36x
Charlton Next Woolwich 6 22.74x
Churchstow 6 645.16x
Clerkenwell London 6 3.43x
Downton 6 69.93x
Ewhurst 6 215.83x
Frindsbury 6 62.96x
Gorton 6 7.26x
Hadlow 6 95.69x
Hastings St Clement 6 51.02x
Horsemonden 6 162.60x
Paddington London 6 2.20x
Pluckley 6 256.41x
St Pancras London 6 1.01x
Stoke Damerel 6 5.56x
Walcot 6 9.44x
Berkeley Alkington 5 454.55x
Birmingham 5 0.80x
Clifton 5 6.80x
Halling 5 151.06x
Holyhead 5 20.41x
Leicester St Margaret 5 2.49x
Leyton Low 5 16.81x
North Nibley 5 240.38x
Ramsgate 5 12.11x
Rochester Castle 5 1562.50x
St Woollos 5 8.36x
Tavistock 5 28.44x
Thornbury 5 50.30x
Ticehurst 5 65.36x
Toxteth Park 5 1.68x
Wolverhampton 5 2.60x
Bethersden 4 155.04x
Cheltenham 4 3.57x
Dunkerton 4 154.44x
Loughton 4 55.33x
Macclesfield 4 5.50x
Merther 4 645.16x
Minster In Sheppey 4 9.54x
St Andrew Holborn 4 15.92x
St Luke London 4 3.36x
Newnham 3 379.75x
Pudsey 3 7.64x
Rochester St Nicholas 3 38.12x
Rotherhithe 3 3.28x
Shenley 3 89.02x
Tenterden 3 33.63x
Warfield 3 59.41x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 55
John 33
George 27
Thomas 27
James 23
Charles 16
Henry 16
Alfred 13
Frederick 13
Edward 11
Joseph 10
Albert 9
Samuel 9
Richard 8
Robert 7
Arthur 6
Wm. 6
Ernest 4
Francis 4
Walter 4
Amos 3
David 3
Frederic 3
Harry 3
Jesse 3
Philip 3
Thos. 3
Ambrose 2
Daniel 2
Edmund 2
Frank 2
Fredk. 2
Herbert 2
Jno. 2
Percy 2
Thos.E. 2
Alexander 1
Chas. 1
Christian 1
Earnest 1
Emmeline 1
Evan 1
F.H. 1
Laurence 1
Mark 1
Morgan 1
Nathaniel 1
Percival 1
Randall 1
Reginald 1

FAQ

Weekes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Weekes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 758 people were recorded with the Weekes surname. That placed it at #4,871 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Weekes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,596 in 2016. That gives Weekes a modern rank of #2,560.

What does the Weekes surname mean?

Derived from a nickname for someone with a cheerful disposition or born on a Sunday.

What does the Weekes map show?

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