NameCensus.

UK surname

Barreto

A surname of Portuguese origin derived from the word "barreto," meaning a clay jar or barrel maker.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Barreto surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 483, ranked #10,240, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swindon, Ealing and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barreto is 483 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 48200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

483

2016, ranked #10,240

Peak year

2016

483 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barreto had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 483 in 2016, ranked #10,240.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Barreto surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barreto surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barreto 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
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 129 #23,143
1998 modern 145 #22,139
1999 modern 150 #21,826
2000 modern 141 #22,648
2001 modern 144 #22,040
2002 modern 166 #20,532
2003 modern 167 #20,245
2004 modern 192 #18,678
2005 modern 203 #17,961
2006 modern 220 #17,204
2007 modern 247 #16,042
2008 modern 264 #15,468
2009 modern 300 #14,420
2010 modern 323 #14,005
2011 modern 324 #13,839
2012 modern 359 #12,698
2013 modern 400 #11,915
2014 modern 438 #11,149
2015 modern 456 #10,715
2016 modern 483 #10,240

Geography

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Where Barretos 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 Swindon, Ealing, Brent, Breckland and Hillingdon. 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 Swindon 015 Swindon
2 Ealing 037 Ealing
3 Brent 020 Brent
4 Breckland 009 Breckland
5 Hillingdon 032 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barreto

These lists show first names that appear often with the Barreto 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 Barreto

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Barreto surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Barreto household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Barreto is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Barreto 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

Barreto falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Barreto 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Barreto

The surname Barreto originated from Portugal and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Portuguese word "barreta," which referred to a type of cap or hat worn by clergy members. The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who wore such a cap or hat.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Barreto can be found in the "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), a Portuguese manuscript dating back to the 13th century. This document mentions a nobleman named Martim Barreto, who lived during the reign of King Afonso III of Portugal (1210-1279).

During the Age of Exploration, the Barreto name gained prominence as Portuguese explorers and colonizers ventured to various parts of the world. In the 16th century, Francisco Barreto (1520-1573) was a Portuguese explorer and colonial administrator who served as the governor of Portuguese India from 1555 to 1558.

Another notable figure with the Barreto surname was Pedro Barreto de Resende (1590-1653), a Portuguese nobleman and military commander who played a significant role in the Portuguese Restoration War against Spain in the 17th century.

In the 18th century, José Barreto Ferras (1712-1784) was a prominent Portuguese architect who designed several notable buildings in Lisbon, including the Church of São Roque and the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Estrela.

During the 19th century, João Barreto Correia (1820-1899) was a Portuguese politician and writer who served as a member of parliament and published several works on history and literature.

As the Portuguese empire expanded across the globe, the Barreto surname also spread to various regions, including Brazil, Africa, and Asia. Today, the name can be found in many Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as in other parts of the world where Portuguese immigrants have settled.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barreto families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barreto 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. Dunbartonshire leads with 1 Barretos recorded in 1881 and an index of 384.62x.

County Total Index
Dunbartonshire 1 384.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kirkintilloch in Dunbartonshire leads with 1 Barretos recorded in 1881 and an index of 2500.00x.

Place Total Index
Kirkintilloch 1 2500.00x

FAQ

Barreto surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barreto surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Barreto surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barreto surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 483 in 2016. That gives Barreto a modern rank of #10,240.

What does the Barreto surname mean?

A surname of Portuguese origin derived from the word "barreto," meaning a clay jar or barrel maker.

What does the Barreto map show?

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