Find out how popular the last name Starkes is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Starkes.

Starkes, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Starkes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Starkes in America

Starkes is the 25083rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Starkes surname appeared 990 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Starkes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Starkes to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Starkes

The surname Starkes is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "starke," meaning strong or robust. This suggests that the name was initially given as a nickname or descriptive name to someone with a muscular or sturdy build.

One of the earliest documented references to the Starkes surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like record of English landowners and their holdings. The entry mentions a William Starke residing in the county of Lincolnshire. This early record indicates that the surname was already well-established by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname Starkes appeared in various medieval manuscripts and records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 and the Poll Tax Returns of 1379. These records provide insights into the geographical distribution of the name, with several instances recorded in counties like Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire.

The Starkes surname is also linked to several place names in England, particularly in the northern regions. For example, the village of Starkholmes in Derbyshire may have derived its name from the Old English words "stærce" (strong) and "holme" (island or river meadow), suggesting a connection to the Starkes family.

Notable individuals bearing the Starkes surname throughout history include:

1. Sir Thomas Starkes (c. 1510-1588), an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
2. John Starkes (1590-1666), an English clergyman and author of several religious works.
3. William Starkes (1628-1701), a prominent English architect and surveyor who worked on several notable buildings in London.
4. Mary Starkes (1762-1838), an English writer and poet known for her works on education and moral philosophy.
5. Edward Starkes (1815-1892), a British engineer and inventor who patented several innovations in steam engine technology.

While the surname Starkes is not among the most common in England, it has a long and rich history, with roots dating back to the medieval period. The name's connection to strength and robustness has endured over the centuries, making it a fascinating example of how surnames can reflect personal characteristics and local geography.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Starkes

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Starkes.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Starkes was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Starkes has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Starkes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Starkes, please contact us.

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