NameCensus.

UK surname

Wickett

A variant form of the surname Wickett, from a place name derived from the Old English "wic" meaning village or dwelling.

In the 1881 census there were 329 people recorded with the Wickett surname, ranking it #9,107 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 531, ranked #9,559, down from #9,107 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kilkhampton, Redruth and Sutcombe, Pancrassweek. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Torridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wickett is 592 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 61.4%.

1881 census count

329

Ranked #9,107

Modern count

531

2016, ranked #9,559

Peak year

1999

592 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wickett had 329 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,107 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 531 in 2016, ranked #9,559.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 509 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wickett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wickett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wickett 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 246 #8,891
1861 historical 235 #10,427
1881 historical 329 #9,107
1891 historical 354 #9,741
1901 historical 443 #8,804
1911 historical 509 #7,732
1997 modern 541 #8,772
1998 modern 587 #8,518
1999 modern 592 #8,517
2000 modern 585 #8,555
2001 modern 565 #8,627
2002 modern 579 #8,649
2003 modern 554 #8,788
2004 modern 551 #8,845
2005 modern 534 #8,997
2006 modern 526 #9,124
2007 modern 528 #9,174
2008 modern 530 #9,219
2009 modern 544 #9,247
2010 modern 558 #9,260
2011 modern 552 #9,243
2012 modern 548 #9,194
2013 modern 545 #9,410
2014 modern 547 #9,426
2015 modern 544 #9,406
2016 modern 531 #9,559

Geography

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Where Wicketts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kilkhampton, Redruth, Sutcombe, Pancrassweek, North Petherwin and Bradworthy. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall and Torridge. 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 Kilkhampton Cornwall
2 Redruth Cornwall
3 Sutcombe, Pancrassweek Devon
4 North Petherwin Cornwall
5 Bradworthy Devon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 002 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 003 Cornwall
4 Torridge 008 Torridge
5 Cornwall 005 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wickett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wickett

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Wickett is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wickett is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wickett falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wickett

The surname Wickett finds its origins in England, with historical evidence tracing it back to medieval times. The name likely originates from the southwestern counties of Devon and Cornwall, areas known for their distinctive dialects and rich linguistic history. The earliest roots of Wickett can be traced to Old English. The name is believed to derive from the combination of the Old English elements "wic," meaning a dwelling place or dairy farm, and "et," a diminutive suffix, together suggesting "little farm" or "small settlement."

The surname Wickett appears in a variety of spellings in historical records, including Wyket and Wicket. Earliest references to the name appear in medieval manuscripts and legal documents. For example, the name Wyket is noted in a 13th-century feudal roster, indicating the presence of this surname as early as that period. Additionally, various legal documents from the 14th century, such as tax records and land grants, reference individuals with the name Wickett, suggesting that the name had already become established in the southwest of England by this time.

Among the earliest recorded bearers of the surname is John Wicket, listed in Devon county records from 1327. Another historical figure, Richard Wicket, appears in a 1435 land grant in Cornwall, indicating the spread of the surname within the southwestern region. Records from the 16th century identify a Thomas Wickett in municipal documents from Exeter, Devon, who was notable for his roles in local governance.

The surname continued to be documented through the ages, with notable figures bearing the name. For example, Samuel Wickett, born in 1670 and active until his death in 1745, was a prominent merchant in Cornwall involved in the tin trade. Another notable individual, Elizabeth Wickett, born in 1790, was recognized for her contributions to education reform in Devon, influencing the region’s schooling practices.

In the 19th century, the Reverend John Wickett, born in 1823 and passing in 1891, gained prominence for his theological writings and service within the Church of England. His works contributed to the religious and moral discourse of his time.

The Wickett surname, with its origins embedded deep in the English landscape, reflects a storied connection to the pastoral and municipal life of medieval and early modern England. The documented appearances of the name in various official records highlight the enduring presence and contribution of individuals bearing the surname throughout centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wickett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wickett 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. Cornwall leads with 126 Wicketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.68x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 126 34.68x
Devon 92 13.77x
Middlesex 19 0.59x
Lancashire 14 0.37x
Gloucestershire 12 1.91x
Worcestershire 12 2.86x
Surrey 11 0.70x
Huntingdonshire 7 10.99x
Stirlingshire 7 5.91x
Staffordshire 6 0.55x
Hampshire 5 0.76x
Essex 4 0.63x
Yorkshire 4 0.13x
Glamorgan 3 0.54x
Lincolnshire 2 0.39x
Bedfordshire 1 0.60x
Derbyshire 1 0.20x
Kent 1 0.09x
Somerset 1 0.19x
Warwickshire 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Redruth in Cornwall leads with 20 Wicketts recorded in 1881 and an index of 194.55x.

Place Total Index
Redruth 20 194.55x
Kilkhampton 15 1401.87x
Morwenstow 14 1573.03x
Alwington 13 3170.73x
Bradworthy 13 1340.21x
Oldbury 12 58.20x
Sutcombe 12 2608.70x
St Breward 11 1375.00x
Tresmeer 10 5263.16x
Marhamchurch 9 1525.42x
Minster 9 1836.73x
Bideford 8 111.73x
Buckland Brewer 8 987.65x
Tormoham 8 28.31x
Altarnun 7 555.56x
Beddington 7 115.70x
Mile End Old Town 7 13.82x
North Petherwyn 6 638.30x
Calstock 5 70.22x
Polmont 5 114.42x
Ripton Kings 5 2500.00x
Bootle Cum Linacre 4 13.23x
Chadderton 4 21.48x
Cookbury 4 2000.00x
Manchester 4 2.34x
Plymouth Charles The 4 13.59x
St Gennys 4 740.74x
Werrington 4 555.56x
West Ham 4 2.86x
Binsted 3 119.52x
Bristol St Michael 3 55.56x
Camberwell 3 1.46x
Cardiff St Mary 3 9.75x
Cheltenham 3 6.18x
Exeter St Sidwell 3 19.61x
Islington London 3 0.96x
Lanteglos 3 178.57x
Shoreditch London 3 2.16x
Stratton 3 152.28x
Week St Mary 3 526.32x
West Putford 3 1200.00x
Bramdean 2 689.66x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 9.53x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 2 34.90x
Clifton 2 6.29x
Enville 2 235.29x
Harborne 2 5.76x
Limehouse London 2 5.68x
Milton Abbott 2 206.19x
Poundstock 2 350.88x
St Mary Magdalene 2 74.91x
St Teath 2 91.32x
Stoke 2 74.07x
Yaxley 2 134.23x
Antony 1 28.49x
Boyton 1 238.10x
Brightside Bierlow 1 1.60x
Clee With Weelsby 1 8.90x
Cotherston 1 142.86x
Davidstow 1 222.22x
Eaton Socon 1 38.31x
Great Grimsby 1 3.07x
Hartland 1 48.08x
Horninglow 1 19.61x
Hunslet 1 2.02x
Laneast 1 357.14x
Launcells 1 163.93x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 7.40x
Matlock 1 14.81x
Minster In Sheppey 1 5.51x
Muiravonside 1 33.22x
Northam 1 20.53x
South Petherwin 1 109.89x
Southwark St Saviour 1 6.06x
St George In East 1 4.58x
St Luke London 1 1.94x
Stirling 1 6.70x
Stoke Climsland 1 43.10x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 0.87x
Worsley 1 4.26x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 32
John 22
Richard 12
George 10
Thomas 9
James 8
Charles 5
Frederick 5
Alfred 4
Joseph 4
Samuel 4
Henry 3
Matthew 3
Peter 3
Titus 3
Wm. 3
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Frank 2
Josiah 2
Lewis 2
Silas 2
Albert 1
David 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Heber 1
Humphrey 1
Jethro 1
Jonathan 1
Lawrence 1
Mark 1
Marsena 1
Marwood 1
Mathew 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Saml. 1
Stanley 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
W.S. 1
Walter 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Wickett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wickett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 329 people were recorded with the Wickett surname. That placed it at #9,107 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wickett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 531 in 2016. That gives Wickett a modern rank of #9,559.

What does the Wickett surname mean?

A variant form of the surname Wickett, from a place name derived from the Old English "wic" meaning village or dwelling.

What does the Wickett map show?

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