Duke Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Duke Name Meaning: Originates from the English words, 'duk','duc' which are taken from the French word 'duc', meaning 'to lead'. May have also derives from the forename 'Duke', a shortened version of 'Marmaduke'.

A surname which may have stemmed from the Gaelic name 'mael Maedoc', which later was developed into the name 'Marmaduke', the shortened version of this being 'Duke'. May have also been an occupational name for someone who was a leader of an organisation, the French word 'Duc' meaning 'to lead'.

Discover how your Duke ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Duke Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Duke family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 683
Agricultural Labourer 64
Dress Maker 40
Domestic Servant 35
General Labourer 31
Coal Miner 28
Labourer 26
Annuitant 22
General Servant 20
Laundress 19
Farm Labourer 19
Blacksmith 14
Charwoman 13
Farm Servant Indoor 13
Joiner 11
Fisherman 11
Gardener 11
Farmers Son 11
General Servant Domestic 10
No Occupation 9
Shoe Maker 9
Bricklayer 8
Carpenter 8
Cook Domestic Servant 8
Butcher 8

Duke Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Duke 100% 24,659
2 Dike 75% 1,680
3 Dook 25% 930
4 Deake 60% 739
5 Dake 75% 552
6 Doke 75% 368
7 Doak 25% 166
8 Deek 25% 165
9 Deak 25% 129
10 Doake 60% 123

Did you know?

The surname Duke is the most popular version of all its varients

Search for the Duke family