NameCensus.

UK surname

Alo

A Hebrew surname likely derived from the name Elohim, meaning "God."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Walsall, Newham and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alo is 124 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

124

2016, ranked #26,975

Peak year

2016

124 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016, ranked #26,975.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Alo surname distribution map

The map shows where the Alo surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Alo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alo over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1997 modern 14 #36,528
1998 modern 16 #36,361
1999 modern 21 #35,810
2000 modern 20 #35,915
2001 modern 21 #35,646
2002 modern 24 #35,520
2003 modern 30 #35,046
2004 modern 45 #33,957
2005 modern 45 #34,160
2006 modern 63 #32,943
2007 modern 61 #33,440
2008 modern 64 #33,402
2009 modern 74 #32,835
2010 modern 81 #32,582
2011 modern 74 #33,151
2012 modern 95 #31,107
2013 modern 100 #30,773
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 124 #26,975

Geography

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Where Alos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Walsall, Newham, Islington, Birmingham and Dudley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Walsall 028 Walsall
2 Newham 017 Newham
3 Islington 003 Islington
4 Birmingham 018 Birmingham
5 Dudley 023 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alo

These lists show first names that appear often with the Alo surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alo

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Alo, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Alo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Alo household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Alo is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Alo is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Alo falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

This describes the area pattern most associated with Alo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Alo

The surname "ALO" originates from Spain and is believed to have its roots in the Basque language. It is thought to be derived from the Basque word "alo," which means "barn" or "storehouse." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived or worked near barns or storehouses.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "ALO" can be traced back to the 13th century in the Basque region of northern Spain. In 1284, a document from the town of Vitoria-Gasteiz mentioned a certain "Pedro de Alo," indicating the presence of this surname in the area during that time period.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the surname "ALO" was Juan Alo, a prominent merchant who lived in Bilbao in the late 15th century. He was involved in the thriving trade between Spain and the Netherlands, and his name appeared in several commercial records from that era.

In the 16th century, the surname "ALO" was also found in Spanish colonial records from the Americas. For instance, Hernán Alo was a conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru under Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s.

During the 17th century, a notable figure with the surname "ALO" was Diego Alo, a Basque philosopher and theologian who authored several influential works on moral philosophy and ethics. He was born in San Sebastián in 1602 and died in Salamanca in 1676.

Another individual of historical significance was María Alo, a renowned painter from Seville who lived in the late 18th century. Her works, primarily depicting religious themes and portraits, were highly regarded and can be found in several museums and private collections in Spain.

In the 19th century, José Alo was a prominent politician and lawyer from the Basque region. He played a key role in the drafting of the first Spanish constitution in 1812 and served as a member of the Cortes (the Spanish parliament) during that period.

While the surname "ALO" originated in Spain, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and intermarriage. However, its roots can be traced back to the Basque region, where it was likely associated with those who lived or worked near barns or storehouses in the medieval era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alo surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Channel Islands leads with 1 Alos recorded in 1881 and an index of 344.83x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 1 344.83x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Trinity in Channel Islands leads with 1 Alos recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Trinity 1 10000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Alo surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Rose 1

Top occupations

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 Alo households.

Occupation Count
General Servant 1

FAQ

Alo surname: questions and answers

How common is the Alo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016. That gives Alo a modern rank of #26,975.

What does the Alo surname mean?

A Hebrew surname likely derived from the name Elohim, meaning "God."

What does the Alo map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Alo bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.