A Cornish Name · Since the 13th Century

CARKEEK

From the rugged cliffs and tin mines of Cornwall to the far reaches of the world — tracing the history, origins, and families of a rare Cornish name.

From the Cornish Cargyk — a rocky ridge · Cornwall, England

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Name Origins

What does Carkeek mean?

Carkeek is a topographic surname — meaning it was given to a family based on where they lived, describing a distinctive feature of the landscape around their home. It derives from the ancient Cornish language, which was spoken in Cornwall long before English became dominant.

The earliest recorded form of the name is Cargyk, appearing in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall in 1284.

Car / Caer
Cornish · Celtic
A rocky outcrop, tor, or fortified place. Related to the Welsh caer (fort) and found throughout Cornish place names.
Gyk / Gyg
Cornish
A ridge, joining piece of land, or narrow neck between two features. Describes a specific topographic formation.
Cargyk
Original Form · 1284
The earliest recorded spelling, from the Assize Rolls of Cornwall. One Richard de Cargyk is listed — suggesting a family named after their local landmark.
Carkeek
Modern Form · 16th Century
The spelling settled into its modern form by the 1500s, when the family was well established in the parish of St. Hilary, Cornwall.

Through the Centuries

A Brief History

From medieval Cornwall to the far corners of the world, the Carkeek name has travelled a remarkable journey over seven centuries.

1284
First Recorded Mention
Richard de Cargyk appears in the Assize Rolls of Cornwall — the earliest known record of the family name in any form.
1334
Feet of Fines, Cornwall
The name appears again in legal records, indicating an established family presence in medieval Cornwall.
1604
High Sheriff of Cornwall
John Carkeek (1544–1622) of the parish of St. Hilary serves as High Sheriff of Cornwall — the family's most prominent medieval position.
Early 1800s
The Cornish Diaspora Begins
As Cornwall's tin and copper mines began to decline, Carkeeks joined tens of thousands of Cornish families emigrating to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
1847
John Carkeek Reaches Toronto
Our ancestor John Carkeek, son of Stephen and Anne Carkeek of Redruth, marries Eliza in Toronto, Canada West — one of the earliest Carkeeks recorded in North America.
1880s
Carkeeks in Seattle & Beyond
Morgan James Carkeek becomes one of Seattle's most prominent builders. Carkeek Park — 216 acres on Puget Sound — is later named in the family's honour.
1917
Sir Arthur Carkeek
Arthur Carkeek, son of Morgan James Carkeek of Redruth, is knighted in New Zealand for public service — the family's highest civic honour.

Explore the Site

What you'll find here

⛏️
Cornwall & the Name
The deep history of the Carkeek name in Cornwall — from medieval records to the mining era and the great Cornish emigration.
Read the History →
🌳
Our Family Line
Tracing the line from Stephen & Anne Carkeek of Redruth, through John's emigration to Toronto, and beyond.
View the Family →
🏛️
Notable Carkeeks
From a Seattle park to a New Zealand observatory — remarkable people who carried the Carkeek name around the world.
Meet Them →

How Rare Is the Name?

Carkeeks worldwide

Carkeek is one of the rarer surnames of Cornish origin. Today it is found primarily in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand — reflecting the routes taken by Cornish emigrant families in the 19th century.

~1
in 12.7 million
people worldwide
~190
in the
United States
46%
Australia &
New Zealand
740+
Years of
recorded history

Are You a Carkeek?

Help us build the family record

If you carry the Carkeek name — or have Carkeek ancestry — we'd love to hear from you. Every story, photograph, and document helps build a more complete picture of this remarkable Cornish family.

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