NameCensus.

UK surname

Winks

A surname derived from the Old English "wince" meaning to beckon or signal.

In the 1881 census there were 282 people recorded with the Winks surname, ranking it #10,148 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 296, ranked #14,882, down from #10,148 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Govan Combination and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Wakefield and Forfar West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Winks is 352 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 5.0%.

1881 census count

282

Ranked #10,148

Modern count

296

2016, ranked #14,882

Peak year

1891

352 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Winks had 282 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,148 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 296 in 2016, ranked #14,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 352 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Winks surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Winks surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Winks 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 259 #8,550
1861 historical 226 #10,797
1881 historical 282 #10,148
1891 historical 352 #9,781
1901 historical 319 #11,166
1911 historical 300 #11,441
1997 modern 320 #12,966
1998 modern 334 #12,940
1999 modern 324 #13,288
2000 modern 308 #13,685
2001 modern 298 #13,784
2002 modern 308 #13,763
2003 modern 295 #13,964
2004 modern 305 #13,752
2005 modern 304 #13,724
2006 modern 287 #14,295
2007 modern 284 #14,548
2008 modern 300 #14,135
2009 modern 295 #14,594
2010 modern 297 #14,841
2011 modern 307 #14,386
2012 modern 295 #14,670
2013 modern 299 #14,780
2014 modern 296 #14,982
2015 modern 293 #15,005
2016 modern 296 #14,882

Geography

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Where Winks' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Govan Combination, London parishes, Sheffield and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Wakefield, Forfar West, Bassetlaw and Doncaster. 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 Halifax Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 London parishes London 3
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 010 Mendip
2 Wakefield 041 Wakefield
3 Forfar West Angus
4 Bassetlaw 006 Bassetlaw
5 Doncaster 012 Doncaster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Winks

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Winks

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Winks surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Winks household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Winks is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Winks is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Winks falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Winks is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Winks

The surname Winks likely originates from England, with its roots tracing back to medieval times. The name appears to have been derived from old words or Anglo-Saxon terms. The etymological roots may be linked to the Old English word "wince," which means "to stagger" or "struggle." It may also have connections with the Middle English "winkten," which translates to "wink" or "close the eyes." Variations in spelling such as Wynks or Wynkes may also be found in historical documents, reflecting the fluidity of spelling in earlier ages.

Historical references to the surname can be found in several medieval English records. For example, the Winks surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset in 1327, where one Richard Wynkes is mentioned. This indicates its existence in formal documents from the 14th century onwards. Additionally, the name appears in various parish registers from the 16th century, further establishing its historical presence in England.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname includes John Winks, born in the early 1500s, who is documented as living in Leicestershire. Another notable individual is William Winks, a resident of London in the mid-1600s, whose business dealings are recorded in the city's merchant registers. Additionally, the name appears in the muster rolls for militia service, with Thomas Winks documented as a participant in the 1588 muster in Sussex.

In more recent historical contexts, Mary Winks, born in 1725, was a notable figure in her village in rural England due to her prolific work as a midwife. She is frequently cited in local records for her contributions to community health.

Moving into the 19th century, Joseph Winks (1787–1860) emerged as a significant personality. Born in Coventry, he was a publisher and an influential figure in the Baptist church. His numerous religious tracts and pamphlets earned him recognition in ecclesiastical circles.

Thomas Winks (1834–1910) was another noteworthy individual bearing the surname. Born in Nottingham, he was known for his philanthropic work and contributions to education in his community. Town records highlight his involvement in the establishment of several schools and his efforts in various charitable endeavors.

Throughout history, the surname Winks has carried its presence through diverse regions of England and through various individuals who contributed to their localities in significant ways. This history provides a rich tapestry of the surname's journey through time, reflecting its origins, meanings, and the lives of those who bore it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Winks families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Winks 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. Yorkshire leads with 71 Winks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.60x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 71 2.60x
Nottinghamshire 32 8.63x
Middlesex 29 1.05x
Lincolnshire 26 5.91x
Lanarkshire 25 2.81x
Lancashire 25 0.77x
Leicestershire 13 4.26x
Surrey 13 0.97x
Glamorgan 12 2.51x
Fife 9 5.53x
Inverness-shire 9 10.96x
Essex 7 1.29x
Derbyshire 5 1.16x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.39x
Bedfordshire 1 0.70x
Durham 1 0.12x
Kent 1 0.11x
Midlothian 1 0.27x
Sussex 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 24 Winks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.91x.

Place Total Index
Govan 24 10.91x
Islington London 22 8.25x
Halifax 12 29.99x
Cleethorpes 11 424.71x
Ovenden 11 90.68x
Hucknall Torkard 9 95.74x
Inverness 9 43.56x
Kinghorn 9 260.12x
St Martin Lincoln 9 220.59x
York St Saviour 9 346.15x
Cardiff St John 8 51.15x
Hodsock 7 3333.33x
Warrington 7 18.09x
Bole 6 3000.00x
Ecclesall Bierlow 6 10.82x
Leeds 6 3.90x
Spotland 6 16.53x
St Pancras London 6 2.71x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 5 19.69x
Brentwood 5 151.06x
Narborough 5 595.24x
Southwark St John 5 59.45x
Kimberworth 4 26.44x
Leicester St Mary 4 16.23x
Toxteth Park 4 3.62x
Worksop 4 36.36x
Ystradyfodwg 4 9.52x
Barnsley 3 10.67x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 5.79x
High Hoyland 3 1363.64x
Richmond 3 70.42x
Walkeringham 3 447.76x
Wandsworth 3 11.33x
Clayworth 2 487.80x
Clee With Weelsby 2 20.77x
Eckington 2 19.12x
Lambeth 2 0.83x
Layton With Warbreck 2 16.69x
Morton In Gainsborough 2 232.56x
Penge 2 11.38x
Rotherham 2 13.01x
Spalding 2 22.91x
Writtle 2 90.09x
Bakewell 1 42.37x
Bedford St Mary 1 27.25x
Brighton 1 1.07x
Brightside Bierlow 1 1.87x
Clifton In York 1 17.54x
Denby 1 76.34x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.67x
Glasgow 1 0.63x
Guisbrough 1 16.78x
Hoyland Nether 1 14.95x
Hulme 1 1.47x
Huntly 1 24.15x
Knighton 1 58.14x
Lenham 1 53.48x
Liverpool 1 0.50x
Longeaton 1 555.56x
Loughborough 1 7.23x
Mansfield 1 7.79x
Melton Mowbray 1 18.25x
Rawmarsh 1 10.38x
Rusholme 1 11.48x
Sheffield 1 1.15x
St George In East 1 5.34x
Stranton 1 3.63x
Sutton 1 10.31x
Wickersley 1 133.33x
Wigston Magna 1 24.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Annie 13
Emma 10
Sarah 7
Ann 6
Eliza 5
Anne 4
Florence 4
Alice 3
Fanny 3
Maria 3
Amelia 2
Elizabeth 2
Emily 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Lilian 2
Lucy 2
Rebecca 2
Caroline 1
Charlote 1
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Ellen 1
Elzth. 1
Ethel 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jemima 1
Jula 1
Julia 1
Katherine 1
Lillian 1
Lilly 1
Louise 1
Lucey 1
M.A. 1
Maggie 1
Marie 1
Marion 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
May 1
Phebe 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
George 8
Henry 8
John 6
Thomas 6
Charles 5
James 5
Alfred 4
David 3
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Percy 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Abraham 1
Benjm.Faulkes 1
Benjn. 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Frederick 1
Fredk. 1
Horace 1
Kenerth 1
Lewis 1
Moss 1
Robert 1
Sam 1
Sidney 1
Sutcliffe 1
Theodore 1
Thos. 1
Tom. 1
W.H. 1

FAQ

Winks surname: questions and answers

How common was the Winks surname in 1881?

In 1881, 282 people were recorded with the Winks surname. That placed it at #10,148 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Winks surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 296 in 2016. That gives Winks a modern rank of #14,882.

What does the Winks surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old English "wince" meaning to beckon or signal.

What does the Winks map show?

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