UK surname

Capaldi

An Italian surname derived from the word "capo" meaning chief or leader.

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Capaldi surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 583, ranked #8,899, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Govan Combination and Chertsey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maxwell Park, Bristol and Cross Stobbs.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Capaldi is 593 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 14475.0%.

1881 census count

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

583

2016, ranked #8,899

Peak year

2011

593 bearers

Map years

1901 to 2016

Key insights

• Capaldi had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
• The latest modern count shown here is 583 in 2016, ranked #8,899.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 111 in 1901.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Map

Capaldi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Capaldi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Capaldi 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	4	#33,288
1891	historical	41	#31,095
1901	historical	111	#21,492
1911	historical	62	#26,622
1997	modern	536	#8,837
1998	modern	547	#8,975
1999	modern	555	#8,919
2000	modern	547	#8,990
2001	modern	526	#9,112
2002	modern	559	#8,861
2003	modern	558	#8,740
2004	modern	543	#8,949
2005	modern	550	#8,784
2006	modern	544	#8,890
2007	modern	563	#8,739
2008	modern	565	#8,780
2009	modern	576	#8,851
2010	modern	591	#8,884
2011	modern	593	#8,767
2012	modern	580	#8,813
2013	modern	576	#9,006
2014	modern	587	#8,948
2015	modern	582	#8,931
2016	modern	583	#8,899

Geography

Where Capaldis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Govan Combination, Chertsey, Cardross and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maxwell Park, Bristol, Cross Stobbs, Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall and Wychavon. 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	Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff	Gloucestershire
2	Govan Combination	Lanark
3	Chertsey	Surrey
4	Cardross	Dunbarton
5	Edinburgh	Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank	Area	District
1	Maxwell Park	Glasgow City
2	Bristol 002	Bristol, City of
3	Cross Stobbs	East Renfrewshire
4	Dunterlie, East Arthurlie and Dovecothall	East Renfrewshire
5	Wychavon 018	Wychavon

Forenames

First names often paired with Capaldi

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

Historical female names

Maria Mary Angelina Rosa Margaret Rose Anna Annie Christina Maggie

Historical male names

Antonio John Joseph Michael Anselmo Domenico Andrew David Robert William

Recent female names

Francesca Maria Angela Margaret Laura Elizabeth Carol Catherine Lisa Julie

Recent male names

Stephen Anthony Peter Michael Mark Mario Paul Carlo John Joseph

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Capaldi

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Capaldi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Capaldi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Capaldi is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Capaldi is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Capaldi falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Capaldi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - Other

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Capaldi

The surname Capaldi originated in Italy, with its earliest known bearers hailing from the region of Campania. The name is derived from the Italian word "capo," meaning "head" or "chief," combined with the suffix "-aldi," which denotes a patronymic or familial lineage. This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone who held a position of authority or leadership within their community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Capaldi name can be traced back to the 12th century, where it appears in a collection of historical documents from the city of Naples. This record mentions a certain "Niccolò Capaldi," who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the area.

During the Renaissance period, the Capaldi family gained further prominence, with several members achieving notable positions within the Catholic Church. In the 16th century, a Capaldi served as the Bishop of Aversa, a town located in the province of Caserta.

The name Capaldi can also be found in various historical records from the 17th and 18th centuries, often associated with prominent figures in the arts and academia. One such individual was Gian Battista Capaldi (1615-1678), a highly regarded painter and sculptor from Naples, renowned for his religious works and commissioned by numerous churches across Italy.

Another notable bearer of the Capaldi name was Vincenzo Capaldi (1772-1848), a renowned philosopher and scholar who served as a professor at the University of Naples. His contributions to the fields of metaphysics and ethics earned him significant recognition during his lifetime.

In more recent history, the Capaldi surname has been carried by several accomplished individuals, including:

1. Peter Capaldi (born 1958), a Scottish actor best known for his portrayal of the Twelfth Doctor in the long-running BBC series "Doctor Who." 2. Gino Capaldi (1912-1992), an Italian-American mobster and member of the Los Angeles crime family, who rose to prominence during the mid-20th century. 3. Rino Capaldi (1876-1940), an Italian architect and urban planner who played a significant role in the development of several cities in Italy, including Naples and Rome. 4. Marco Capaldi (born 1985), an Italian professional tennis player who has achieved notable rankings in both singles and doubles competitions. 5. Luciana Capaldi (1933-2018), an Italian actress and television personality, renowned for her roles in numerous Italian films and television series throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Capaldi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Capaldi 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. Warwickshire leads with 3 Capaldis recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.61x.

County	Total	Frequency	Index
Warwickshire	3	0.00%	30.61x
Surrey	1	0.00%	5.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 3 Capaldis recorded in 1881 and an index of 91.74x.

Place	Total	Frequency	Index
Birmingham	3	0.00%	91.74x
Kingston On Thames	1	0.00%	222.22x

Top male names

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

Name	Count
Antonio	2
Nicolina	1
Vincenzo	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 Capaldi households.

Occupation	Count
Musician	3

FAQ

Capaldi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Capaldi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Capaldi surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Capaldi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 583 in 2016. That gives Capaldi a modern rank of #8,899.

What does the Capaldi surname mean?