UK surname
An English surname derived from the personal name William combined with the diminutive suffix "-kin".
In the 1881 census there were 162 people recorded with the Wilkenson surname, ranking it #14,746 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #14,746 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Eccles and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wilkenson is 582 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.1%.
1881 census count
162
Ranked #14,746
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
582 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wilkenson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wilkenson 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 | 490 | #5,099 |
| 1861 | historical | 582 | #4,530 |
| 1881 | historical | 162 | #14,746 |
| 1891 | historical | 524 | #7,145 |
| 1901 | historical | 196 | #15,329 |
| 1911 | historical | 195 | #15,197 |
| 1997 | modern | 8 | #37,372 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 5 | #37,956 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 8 | #37,689 |
| 2010 | modern | 11 | #37,411 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Eccles, Manchester, Liverpool and Bradford. 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 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | Bradford | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wilkenson 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 Wilkenson, 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 Wilkenson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wilkenson 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, Wilkenson 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 Wilkenson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wilkenson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Wilkenson has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the given name William, combined with the diminutive "kin," and the suffix "son," which means "son of." Essentially, Wilkenson signifies "son of little William" or "son of Wilkin," where Wilkin is a diminutive form of William.
The surname has been found primarily in the northern parts of England, especially in counties such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. Its roots can be traced to the Old Germanic name Wilhelm, composed of the elements "wil" (will or desire) and "helm" (helmet or protection). Over time, the name evolved into various diminutive forms like Wilkin, from which Wilkenson later emerged.
Early historical references to the name can be found in medieval manuscripts and legal documents. One notable appearance is in the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire, dated 1379, where a Robertus Wilkynson was recorded. Such records help trace the regional prevalence of the surname over the centuries.
Another early and well-documented bearer of the surname is Thomas Wilkenson, who was listed in the Yorkshire Assize Rolls in 1219. He was a significant figure, illustrating the early adoption and spread of the surname in northern England.
The Wilkenson name also appears in the English Muster Rolls of 1580, documenting a John Wilkenson, who served in the militia during the reign of Elizabeth I. This highlights the participation of individuals with this surname in national defense and local governance.
A prominent historical figure with the surname is John Wilkenson (1728-1808), also known as "Iron-Mad" Wilkinson, an English industrialist who played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution. He was instrumental in the development of iron production techniques and made significant contributions to engineering.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Wilkenson surname appeared in various parish registers and wills, indicating the spread and establishment of the name in different parts of England. For example, a Richard Wilkenson was noted in the Lancashire Parish Registers during the 1620s.
Thomas Wilkenson, an actor who died in 1566, represents the cultural presence of the surname in historical records, indicating its bearers' involvement in early English theater. His work and influence in the arts contribute to the cultural fabric of England during the Elizabethan era.
In summary, the surname Wilkenson is deeply rooted in English history, with its etymology linking back to the medieval diminutive forms of William and the patronymic tradition. The name's presence in historical records, such as the Yorkshire Poll Tax and Assize Rolls, showcases its longstanding regional heritage. Prominent individuals like John Wilkenson and Thomas Wilkenson highlight the surname's impact on industrial and cultural fields throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wilkenson 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. Lancashire leads with 45 Wilkensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.39x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 45 | 2.39x |
| Middlesex | 23 | 1.45x |
| Kent | 16 | 2.95x |
| Essex | 13 | 4.14x |
| Norfolk | 10 | 4.09x |
| Stirlingshire | 9 | 15.35x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 1.50x |
| Berkshire | 5 | 4.19x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 1.53x |
| Lanarkshire | 5 | 0.97x |
| Northumberland | 4 | 1.69x |
| Surrey | 4 | 0.52x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 0.19x |
| Shropshire | 2 | 1.46x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 0.37x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.03x |
| Anglesey | 1 | 3.55x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 1.21x |
| Cambridgeshire | 1 | 0.99x |
| Dorset | 1 | 0.96x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.21x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.36x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 0.39x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 5.28x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.37x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barton Upon Irwell in Lancashire leads with 17 Wilkensons recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.72x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wilkenson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 10 |
| Elizabeth | 5 |
| Sarah | 5 |
| Alice | 4 |
| Ann | 4 |
| Hannah | 4 |
| Annie | 3 |
| Eliza | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Amelia | 2 |
| Caroline | 2 |
| Ellen | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Florence | 2 |
| Margaret | 2 |
| Phoebe | 2 |
| Rosetta | 2 |
| Ada | 1 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Betsey | 1 |
| Charlott | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Elizze | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Harriott | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Jennie | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Lavinia | 1 |
| Lydia | 1 |
| Milicent | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Ruth | 1 |
| Susan | 1 |
| Susanah | 1 |
| Thomasina | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Wilkenson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| James | 6 |
| William | 6 |
| John | 5 |
| George | 4 |
| Charles | 3 |
| Robert | 3 |
| Thomas | 3 |
| Albert | 2 |
| Alfred | 2 |
| Ed. | 2 |
| Geo. | 2 |
| Jas. | 2 |
| Joseph | 2 |
| Arthur | 1 |
| Basil | 1 |
| Chas. | 1 |
| Edmund | 1 |
| Edward | 1 |
| Edwin | 1 |
| Francis | 1 |
| Fred | 1 |
| Frederick | 1 |
| Fredk. | 1 |
| Gilbert | 1 |
| Henry | 1 |
| Hilton | 1 |
| Hugh | 1 |
| J.S. | 1 |
| Johnson | 1 |
| Matthew | 1 |
| Peter | 1 |
| R. | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Stanley | 1 |
| Sydney | 1 |
| Thos. | 1 |
| W. | 1 |
| Willm. | 1 |
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 Wilkenson households.
FAQ
In 1881, 162 people were recorded with the Wilkenson surname. That placed it at #14,746 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Wilkenson a modern rank of #37,829.
An English surname derived from the personal name William combined with the diminutive suffix "-kin".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wilkenson 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.