Nokes

Origin and Meaning

Nokes is a surname of English origin, derived from the medieval masculine given name "Nokes," which itself is a diminutive form of the name "Nicholas." The name Nicholas is of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people."

Distribution and Frequency

The surname Nokes is relatively rare in the United Kingdom. It is most commonly found in the southern counties of England, particularly Hampshire and Surrey.

Historical Significance

The Nokes surname has been present in British records since at least the medieval period. Individuals bearing the surname Nokes have been recorded in various historical documents, including census records, church registers, and wills.

Notable Individuals

  • Horatio Nokes (1805-1887): A prominent Victorian scientist known for his contributions to the field of botany.

  • Eleanor Nokes (1922-2010): A renowned British author and social activist whose works focused on gender equality and women's rights.

  • Samuel Nokes (1750-1823): An influential politician who served in the British Parliament during the late 18th century.

Modern Times

In contemporary times, the Nokes surname continues to be borne by individuals across the United Kingdom and in various countries around the world. Some modern-day Nokes individuals have achieved success in diverse fields such as the arts, academia, business, and sports.

Coat of Arms

The Nokes family does not possess a recognized coat of arms associated with the surname. However, individuals with the surname Nokes may choose to design and register their own coat of arms through the appropriate heraldic authorities.

There are approximately 1,042 people named Nokes in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,132nd most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Nokes.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Barry
  • David
  • Gary
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Simon
  • Steven

Female

  • Alison
  • Beatrice
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Louise
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Sarah
  • Sonya
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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