NameCensus.

UK surname

Cao

A Chinese surname meaning "tall" or "high," or referring to someone living on a hill or elevated area.

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Cao surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 423, ranked #11,344, up from #32,926 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cao is 423 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6950.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

423

2016, ranked #11,344

Peak year

2016

423 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cao had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 423 in 2016, ranked #11,344.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Cao surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cao surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cao 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
1851 historical 6 #32,278
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1997 modern 65 #31,141
1998 modern 59 #32,027
1999 modern 67 #31,409
2000 modern 71 #31,082
2001 modern 69 #31,098
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 115 #25,538
2004 modern 136 #23,207
2005 modern 156 #21,221
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 212 #17,803
2008 modern 239 #16,583
2009 modern 253 #16,283
2010 modern 310 #14,378
2011 modern 282 #15,233
2012 modern 355 #12,816
2013 modern 371 #12,597
2014 modern 392 #12,192
2015 modern 399 #11,928
2016 modern 423 #11,344

Geography

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Where Caos 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 Lewisham, Liverpool, Southwark, Gedling and Croydon. 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 Lewisham 003 Lewisham
2 Liverpool 004 Liverpool
3 Southwark 018 Southwark
4 Gedling 006 Gedling
5 Croydon 004 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cao

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Cao surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Cao 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Cao 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

Cao 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

Cao 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 Cao 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Cao

The surname CAO is of Chinese origin, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is a monosyllabic family name that was initially used in various regions of China, particularly in the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian.

The name CAO is believed to have derived from an ancient Chinese word meaning "grass" or "vegetation." This association likely stems from the agricultural background of many families bearing this surname, suggesting they may have been farmers or had a connection to the land.

Historical records indicate that the CAO surname appeared in documents as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). During this period, the name was sometimes written with different characters or spellings, such as Cao or Tsao, reflecting regional variations and changes in the Chinese writing system over time.

One notable early reference to the CAO surname can be found in the Zizhi Tongjian, a renowned historical text compiled during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). This work mentions several individuals bearing the CAO surname, providing insights into their lives and contributions.

Among the earliest recorded individuals with the CAO surname was Cao Cao (155-220 AD), a famous warlord and politician during the Eastern Han Dynasty. He played a crucial role in the events that led to the Three Kingdoms period in ancient China.

Another prominent figure was Cao Xueqin (1715-1763), the author of the celebrated novel "Dream of the Red Chamber," which is considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

In the realm of arts and culture, Cao Yu (1910-1996) was a renowned Chinese playwright and author, known for his remarkable contributions to modern Chinese drama. His works, such as "Thunderstorm" and "Sunrise," explored themes of social inequality and family dynamics.

The CAO surname also has a strong presence in the field of science and technology. Cao Guoxing (1892-1986) was a distinguished Chinese physicist and educator who made significant contributions to the development of modern physics in China.

Additionally, the CAO surname has been associated with various place names throughout China's history. For example, the city of Caozhou (present-day Heze, Shandong Province) was named after a prominent CAO family that held influence in the region during the Tang Dynasty.

While the CAO surname has its origins in ancient China, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, the rich history and significance of this name remain deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cao families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cao 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. Cheshire leads with 6 Caos recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.51x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 6 46.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liscard in Cheshire leads with 6 Caos recorded in 1881 and an index of 2608.70x.

Place Total Index
Liscard 6 2608.70x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ada 1
Adrianna 1
Kate 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
A. 1
Angelo 1
Clifford 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 Cao households.

FAQ

Cao surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cao surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Cao surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cao surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 423 in 2016. That gives Cao a modern rank of #11,344.

What does the Cao surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "tall" or "high," or referring to someone living on a hill or elevated area.

What does the Cao map show?

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