NameCensus.

UK surname

Wink

A surname of German origin, referring to a person who lived near a corner or turn in the road.

In the 1881 census there were 249 people recorded with the Wink surname, ranking it #11,103 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 395, ranked #11,991, down from #11,103 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dallas, Walton and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harlow, Tendring and Clashindarroch.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wink is 403 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 58.6%.

1881 census count

249

Ranked #11,103

Modern count

395

2016, ranked #11,991

Peak year

2009

403 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wink had 249 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,103 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 395 in 2016, ranked #11,991.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 283 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Wink surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wink surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wink 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 226 #9,487
1861 historical 214 #11,365
1881 historical 249 #11,103
1891 historical 282 #11,597
1901 historical 283 #12,117
1911 historical 210 #14,515
1997 modern 357 #11,998
1998 modern 371 #12,027
1999 modern 380 #11,907
2000 modern 370 #12,078
2001 modern 364 #12,033
2002 modern 381 #11,865
2003 modern 369 #11,941
2004 modern 381 #11,700
2005 modern 370 #11,875
2006 modern 372 #11,878
2007 modern 386 #11,676
2008 modern 388 #11,745
2009 modern 403 #11,659
2010 modern 401 #11,973
2011 modern 391 #12,062
2012 modern 397 #11,780
2013 modern 401 #11,890
2014 modern 402 #11,949
2015 modern 391 #12,113
2016 modern 395 #11,991

Geography

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Where Winks are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dallas, Walton, Govan Combination, Elgin and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Harlow, Tendring, Clashindarroch and Montrose North. 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 Dallas Elgin
2 Walton Suffolk
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Elgin Elgin
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Harlow 010 Harlow
2 Tendring 004 Tendring
3 Clashindarroch Aberdeenshire
4 Montrose North Angus
5 Tendring 002 Tendring

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wink

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wink

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Wink surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Wink household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Wink 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

Wink is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Wink falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wink

The surname WINK originated in England and has been traced back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "winc," which means a corner or an angle. This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived on a plot of land with a distinctive bend or corner.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname WINK can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1195, where a William Winc is mentioned. This indicates that the name was already established in that region by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Wync, Wynk, and Winke, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 list a Henry le Wync from Oxfordshire, while the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275 mention a Robert le Wynk.

By the 14th century, the spelling had evolved closer to its modern form. The Poll Tax Returns of 1379 record a John Wink from Yorkshire, and the Court Rolls of Wiltshire from 1392 mention a Thomas Wink.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname WINK was Sir Walter Wink, a knight who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War. He was born in Wiltshire around 1380 and played a significant role in the English victory over the French forces.

Another prominent figure was John Wink, a merchant and alderman in the city of London during the late 15th century. He was born in 1452 and served as the Sheriff of London in 1491.

In the 16th century, the surname WINK was associated with several notable individuals, including Thomas Wink (1505-1578), a member of the English Parliament and landowner from Berkshire, and Richard Wink (1530-1601), a scholar and theologian who attended Oxford University.

During the 17th century, the name WINK was found in various parts of England, with records showing individuals from counties such as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Hampshire. One noteworthy person from this period was Edward Wink (1620-1692), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Somerset.

In the 18th century, the surname WINK continued to be present across England, with individuals bearing the name residing in areas like Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Warwickshire. A notable figure from this time was William Wink (1725-1798), a successful banker and philanthropist from London.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wink families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wink 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. Suffolk leads with 56 Winks recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.93x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 56 18.93x
Essex 37 7.72x
Morayshire 35 92.74x
Middlesex 22 0.91x
Aberdeenshire 15 6.67x
Surrey 13 1.10x
Lanarkshire 10 1.27x
Sussex 8 1.95x
East Lothian 5 15.54x
Kent 5 0.60x
Nairnshire 5 67.48x
Renfrewshire 5 2.66x
Hampshire 4 0.80x
Lincolnshire 4 1.03x
Worcestershire 4 1.26x
Dunbartonshire 3 4.60x
Lancashire 3 0.10x
Ross-shire 3 4.50x
Durham 2 0.28x
Fife 2 1.39x
Midlothian 2 0.61x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.61x
Yorkshire 2 0.08x
Cornwall 1 0.36x
Warwickshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Harwich St Nicholas in Essex leads with 16 Winks recorded in 1881 and an index of 432.43x.

Place Total Index
Harwich St Nicholas 16 432.43x
Walton 12 1132.08x
Aberdeen Old Machar 9 19.17x
Elgin 9 122.62x
Forres 9 226.70x
Brighton 8 9.68x
Govan 8 4.12x
Ipswich St Helen 7 199.43x
Newington 7 7.80x
Peasenhall 7 972.22x
Chiswick 6 45.21x
West Thurrock 6 377.36x
Westminster St James 6 24.03x
Dallas 5 649.35x
Great Glemham 5 1724.14x
Haddington 5 105.26x
Laxfield 5 675.68x
Nairn 5 111.11x
West Greenock 5 14.80x
West Ham 5 4.72x
Glass 4 465.12x
Great Grimsby 4 16.23x
Lambeth 4 1.89x
Little Clacton 4 784.31x
Portsea 4 4.10x
St Andrews Lhanbryd 4 341.88x
Trimley St Martin 4 784.31x
Cransford 3 2000.00x
Drainie 3 89.82x
Kintail 3 526.32x
Kirkintilloch 3 33.82x
Orpington 3 118.11x
St George In East 3 18.16x
Urquhart 3 168.54x
Barmbrough 2 227.27x
Basford 2 13.25x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.90x
Bothwell 2 9.39x
Brightlingsea 2 72.99x
Bromley London 2 3.74x
Burnley 2 8.24x
Chelmsford 2 24.30x
Dysart 2 20.66x
Elvet 2 38.31x
Great Clacton 2 122.70x
Great Malvern 2 30.21x
Ipswich St Clement 2 26.60x
Kings Norton 2 7.03x
Aboyne 1 84.03x
Barnes 1 19.96x
Bellie 1 58.48x
Birmingham 1 0.49x
Carlton 1 1250.00x
Clatt 1 263.16x
Darsham 1 277.78x
Duffus 1 30.03x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.76x
Enfield 1 6.27x
Falmouth 1 10.28x
Felixstow 1 138.89x
Framlingham 1 47.62x
Henham 1 769.23x
Ipswich St Peter 1 25.13x
Kelsale 1 121.95x
Liverpool 1 0.57x
Lowestoft 1 7.15x
Maidstone 1 4.05x
Mile End Old Town 1 2.61x
Milton In Gravesend 1 8.05x
North Leith 1 6.64x
Petersham 1 212.77x
Sotherton 1 666.67x
St Marylebone London 1 0.77x
Swefling 1 416.67x
Tuddenham St Martin 1 333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 15
Charles 7
Frederick 5
George 5
Henry 5
James 4
John 4
Joseph 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Harry 2
Thomas 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
Conrad 1
Edgar 1
Edward 1
Fredk.N. 1
Herbert 1
Jas. 1
Johann 1
Nathaniel 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
S.Gordon 1
Stanley 1
Walter 1
Will. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wink surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wink surname in 1881?

In 1881, 249 people were recorded with the Wink surname. That placed it at #11,103 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wink surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 395 in 2016. That gives Wink a modern rank of #11,991.

What does the Wink surname mean?

A surname of German origin, referring to a person who lived near a corner or turn in the road.

What does the Wink map show?

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