NameCensus.

UK surname

Bao

A Chinese surname meaning "treasure" or "precious," often referring to a package or bundle.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Bao surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 128, ranked #26,401, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Salford and Liverpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bao is 128 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6300.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

128

2016, ranked #26,401

Peak year

2016

128 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bao had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016, ranked #26,401.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Bao surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bao surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bao 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
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1997 modern 27 #35,016
1998 modern 30 #34,833
1999 modern 41 #33,866
2000 modern 33 #34,607
2001 modern 33 #34,436
2002 modern 34 #34,634
2003 modern 41 #34,113
2004 modern 43 #34,149
2005 modern 52 #33,619
2006 modern 54 #33,780
2007 modern 58 #33,731
2008 modern 63 #33,498
2009 modern 80 #32,277
2010 modern 97 #30,697
2011 modern 91 #31,442
2012 modern 106 #29,187
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 123 #27,206
2015 modern 126 #26,654
2016 modern 128 #26,401

Geography

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Where Baos 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 Birmingham, Salford, Liverpool, Haringey and Barking and Dagenham. 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 Birmingham 136 Birmingham
2 Salford 024 Salford
3 Liverpool 037 Liverpool
4 Haringey 036 Haringey
5 Barking and Dagenham 006 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bao

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bao

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bao is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bao 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

Bao 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 Bao 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Bao

The surname BAO originated in China, with its earliest known records dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is believed to have derived from the Chinese word "bao," meaning "precious" or "treasure." The name was particularly prevalent in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces of eastern China.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the surname BAO appeared in several historical documents and local records. One notable mention is found in the "Guangzhou Fuzhi," a local gazetteer from the 12th century, which listed several families with the BAO surname residing in the Guangzhou region.

The earliest known individual with the BAO surname was Bao Zheng (999-1062 AD), a famous magistrate and judge during the Song Dynasty. He was renowned for his integrity and fairness in upholding the law, and his name has become synonymous with justice in Chinese culture.

Another prominent figure was Bao Qingtian (1053-1112 AD), a renowned poet and calligrapher from Jiangsu province. His works were highly regarded during the Song Dynasty and influenced subsequent generations of literati.

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the BAO surname was also found in various records, including the "Zhejiang Tongzhi," a comprehensive gazetteer of Zhejiang province. One notable individual from this period was Bao Shuya (1568-1631 AD), a scholar and official who served in the imperial court.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), the BAO surname continued to be widely present across China. One notable figure was Bao Shichen (1775-1855 AD), a renowned scholar and philanthropist from Zhejiang province. He established several schools and funded educational initiatives in his hometown.

Another individual of note was Bao Zhuan (1836-1884 AD), a military leader and strategist who played a crucial role in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion, one of the deadliest civil wars in human history.

Throughout its history, the BAO surname has been associated with various place names, such as Baoshan (meaning "Precious Mountain") in Shanghai and Baoding (meaning "Precious Capital") in Hebei province, reflecting the significance and prestige of the name in Chinese culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bao families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bao 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Baos recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Martyr London in Middlesex leads with 2 Baos recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
St George Martyr London 2 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Frances 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 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 Bao households.

Occupation Count
Nurse(SMS) 1
Printer 1

FAQ

Bao surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bao surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Bao surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bao surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 128 in 2016. That gives Bao a modern rank of #26,401.

What does the Bao surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "treasure" or "precious," often referring to a package or bundle.

What does the Bao map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bao 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.