NameCensus.

UK surname

Bo

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese word for "help" or "assist".

In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Bo surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 146, ranked #24,173, up from #28,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, Cambridge and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bo is 146 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 305.6%.

1881 census count

36

Ranked #28,559

Modern count

146

2016, ranked #24,173

Peak year

2016

146 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bo had 36 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016, ranked #24,173.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bo 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 36 #28,559
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 4 #38,094
1998 modern 4 #38,082
1999 modern 10 #37,072
2000 modern 8 #37,264
2001 modern 8 #37,124
2002 modern 11 #36,780
2003 modern 17 #36,198
2004 modern 19 #36,147
2005 modern 22 #35,993
2006 modern 25 #35,903
2007 modern 26 #35,932
2008 modern 28 #35,875
2009 modern 31 #35,794
2010 modern 32 #35,848
2011 modern 47 #34,989
2012 modern 64 #34,028
2013 modern 76 #33,329
2014 modern 89 #32,409
2015 modern 114 #28,478
2016 modern 146 #24,173

Geography

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Where Bos 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 North Lincolnshire, Cambridge, Southwark, Leeds and Epping Forest. 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 North Lincolnshire 009 North Lincolnshire
2 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
3 Southwark 001 Southwark
4 Leeds 063 Leeds
5 Epping Forest 002 Epping Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bo

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Bo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bo 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bo 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

Bo 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

Bo 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 Bo 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 Bo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bo

The surname "Bo" is believed to have originated in Sweden and Denmark during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old Norse word "bo," meaning "dwelling" or "abode." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to identify individuals who lived in a particular location or farmstead.

In Sweden, the earliest recorded instance of the name "Bo" dates back to the 13th century. One notable individual was Bo Jonsson Grip, a Swedish statesman and military leader who lived from around 1329 to 1386. He played a prominent role in the struggles between Sweden and Denmark during the late 14th century.

Another early Swedish figure with the surname "Bo" was Bo Jonsson Grip's contemporary, Bo Stensson, a nobleman and military commander who lived from around 1330 to 1386. He was involved in various conflicts and political intrigues of the time.

In Denmark, the surname "Bo" can be traced back to the 14th century. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Bo Falkdal, a Danish nobleman who lived in the late 14th century. He served as a royal councilor and was involved in several diplomatic missions.

During the 15th century, the name "Bo" appeared in several historical records and manuscripts in both Sweden and Denmark. For example, the Swedish clergyman Bo Pedersson Grip, who lived from around 1420 to 1484, was mentioned in various ecclesiastical documents.

In the 16th century, the surname "Bo" became more widespread, and several notable individuals bore this name. One such person was the Swedish clergyman and writer Bo Pedersson Rålamb, who lived from 1548 to 1604. He is known for his contributions to the translation of the Bible into Swedish.

Another prominent figure with the surname "Bo" was the Danish nobleman and admiral Joachim Bo, who lived from 1625 to 1696. He played a significant role in the naval battles between Denmark and Sweden during the Scanian War (1675-1679).

As the surname "Bo" spread across Scandinavia, it also evolved into various forms and spellings, such as "Boe," "Boë," and "Boh." These variations reflected regional dialects and linguistic influences.

It is worth noting that while the surname "Bo" has its roots in Sweden and Denmark, it has also been adopted by individuals in other parts of the world, particularly through migration and cultural exchange. However, the historical origins and earliest recorded instances of this surname can be traced back to the medieval period in Scandinavia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bo 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. Derbyshire leads with 1 Bos recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.23x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 1 66.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mickleover in Derbyshire leads with 1 Bos recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Mickleover 1 0.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
M. 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 Bo households.

Occupation Count
Cotton Factory Hand 1

FAQ

Bo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Bo surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016. That gives Bo a modern rank of #24,173.

What does the Bo surname mean?

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese word for "help" or "assist".

What does the Bo map show?

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