UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a maker or repairer of machinery or mechanical devices.
In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Works surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #31,914 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Minster, Little Horwood and Christ Church Spitalfields. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Works is 135 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.0%.
1881 census count
12
Ranked #31,914
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1861
135 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Works surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Works surname density by area, 1861 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 | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 135 | #16,651 |
| 1881 | historical | 12 | #31,914 |
| 1891 | historical | 56 | #29,638 |
| 1901 | historical | 8 | #33,289 |
| 1911 | historical | 9 | #32,754 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 5 | #37,750 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 6 | #37,724 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 4 | #38,169 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 3 | #38,494 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 10 | #37,539 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Minster, Little Horwood, Christ Church Spitalfields, Trunch and Clifton. 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 | Minster | Kent |
| 2 | Little Horwood | Buckinghamshire |
| 3 | Christ Church Spitalfields | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Trunch | Norfolk |
| 5 | Clifton | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Works 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 Works, 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 Works surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Works 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, Works 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 Works is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Works, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Works" is of English origin and can be traced back to the late 13th century. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word "werk," which means "work" or "labor." The name likely referred to someone who worked in a specific trade or craft, such as a builder, carpenter, or blacksmith.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, which mentions a person named Robert le Werk. The use of the prefix "le" before the surname indicates that it was an occupational name at the time.
Another early record of the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a person named John Werke. This variation in spelling was common during the Middle Ages, as surnames were not standardized until much later.
The surname "Works" may also have been derived from the place name Werk in Norfolk, which is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Werc." Some individuals may have taken the name from their place of origin or residence.
One notable historical figure with the surname "Works" was John Works (c. 1592-1645), an English Puritan clergyman and author who wrote several religious treatises. Another was George Works (1688-1753), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Northampton from 1722 to 1727.
In the 17th century, the surname appeared in various spellings, such as Worke, Woorke, and Wourke. For example, Edward Worke (1610-1651) was an English clergyman and author who wrote against the Quakers.
Later on, in the 18th century, we find John Works (1701-1762), a Scottish minister and author who wrote on religious topics. In the same century, there was also Thomas Works (1742-1823), an English engraver and painter known for his portrait engravings.
As the centuries progressed, the surname "Works" spread across different regions of England and beyond, with individuals from various backgrounds and occupations bearing this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Works 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. Worcestershire leads with 4 Works' recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcestershire | 4 | 26.21x |
| Yorkshire | 3 | 2.59x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 1.44x |
| Devon | 1 | 4.11x |
| Essex | 1 | 4.33x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.86x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Worcester St John in Worcestershire leads with 4 Works' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2222.22x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester St John | 4 | 2222.22x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 23.75x |
| Selby | 2 | 833.33x |
| Muker | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 53.48x |
| Walthamstow | 1 | 120.48x |
| Westminster St John | 1 | 70.42x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Works surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Works surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Works households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Book Binder | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| General Serv | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Governess | 1 |
| Lodging House Keeper | 1 |
| Private | 1 |
| Railway Labr (Car) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Works surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Works a modern rank of #37,385.
An occupational surname referring to a maker or repairer of machinery or mechanical devices.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Works 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.