NameCensus.

UK surname

Caro

Derived from the Latin word "carus," meaning beloved or dear, or from a shortened form of the name "Carolina."

In the 1881 census there were 75 people recorded with the Caro surname, ranking it #22,893 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 201, ranked #19,525, up from #22,893 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ashford, Kensington and Chelsea and Fylde.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caro is 201 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 168.0%.

1881 census count

75

Ranked #22,893

Modern count

201

2016, ranked #19,525

Peak year

2016

201 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Caro had 75 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,893 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 201 in 2016, ranked #19,525.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 81 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Caro surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caro surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caro 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 10 #31,497
1861 historical 35 #29,571
1881 historical 75 #22,893
1891 historical 61 #29,103
1901 historical 63 #27,134
1911 historical 81 #24,719
1997 modern 151 #21,034
1998 modern 143 #22,317
1999 modern 158 #21,102
2000 modern 172 #19,974
2001 modern 164 #20,279
2002 modern 153 #21,609
2003 modern 154 #21,308
2004 modern 158 #21,077
2005 modern 151 #21,667
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 163 #21,050
2008 modern 173 #20,465
2009 modern 169 #21,190
2010 modern 185 #20,453
2011 modern 187 #20,132
2012 modern 188 #20,018
2013 modern 191 #20,124
2014 modern 192 #20,230
2015 modern 197 #19,774
2016 modern 201 #19,525

Geography

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Where Caros 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 Ashford, Kensington and Chelsea, Fylde, Barnet and Merton. 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 Ashford 014 Ashford
2 Kensington and Chelsea 019 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Fylde 006 Fylde
4 Barnet 007 Barnet
5 Merton 020 Merton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caro

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caro

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Caro, 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 Caro surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Caro 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Caro is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Caro 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

Caro falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Caro is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Caro

The surname Caro originates from Italy, with records dating back to the late 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "carus," meaning "dear" or "beloved." This name was likely initially given as a nickname to someone who was highly regarded or cherished within their community.

In the 15th century, the name Caro appeared in various Italian records, including the Catasto Fiorentino, a tax record from Florence. One notable example is Niccolo di Giovanni Caro, a merchant from Pisa who lived around 1430.

The earliest known record of the surname Caro can be found in a document from 1390, which mentions a Jacobo Caro from the city of Genoa. This suggests that the name may have originated in the northern regions of Italy before spreading to other areas.

During the Renaissance period, several notable individuals bore the surname Caro. Annibal Caro (1507-1566) was a renowned Italian poet and translator who is best known for his translation of Virgil's Aeneid into Italian verse. Another famous bearer of the name was Cardinal Girolamo Caro (1537-1611), a Catholic prelate and diplomat who served as the Bishop of Palestrina.

In the 17th century, the name Caro appeared in records from the Spanish city of Seville, indicating that Italian families with this surname may have migrated to Spain during this period. One example is Juan Caro, a merchant who lived in Seville in the 1650s.

As the surname spread across Europe, it also found its way to England. In the 18th century, a notable figure was the English author and translator Robert Caro (1734-1787), who is remembered for his translations of ancient Greek and Latin texts.

Other notable individuals with the surname Caro include the French writer and philosopher Elme-Marie Caro (1826-1887), who was born in Rennes, and the Portuguese politician and diplomat José Caro (1844-1930), who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Portugal in the late 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caro families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caro 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 29 Caros recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.19x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 29 4.19x
Lancashire 15 1.83x
Warwickshire 13 7.45x
Norfolk 5 4.70x
Nottinghamshire 3 3.21x
Durham 2 0.97x
Northumberland 2 1.94x
Cheshire 1 0.65x
Yorkshire 1 0.15x

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 13 Caros recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.34x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 13 22.34x
Cheetham 8 130.51x
Mile End Old Town London 7 47.49x
Shoreditch London 7 23.33x
St George In East London 6 92.17x
Norwich St Peter 5 714.29x
St Clement Danes London 5 349.65x
Huyton With Roby 4 416.67x
Barrow In Furness 3 26.86x
Newark Upon Trent 3 89.55x
Whitechapel London 3 43.99x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 37.45x
Sunderland 2 54.95x
Hoyland Nether 1 59.52x
Kensington London 1 2.60x
Weaverham Cum Milton 1 250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Esther 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Elizabeth 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Betsy 1
Betty 1
Blanche 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Deborah 1
Ellen 1
Ethel 1
Eva 1
Flora 1
Henriette 1
Ida 1
Jessie 1
Leah 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Mathare 1
Rachel 1
Rosa 1
Rosalie 1
Rosetta 1
Sar. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Jacob 4
John 3
Benjamin 2
Francis 2
Geo. 2
William 2
Abra. 1
Barnett 1
Emanuel 1
Harris 1
Hymon 1
Isaac 1
Issmar 1
James 1
Jonathan 1
Joseph 1
Julius 1
Lazarus 1
Lewis 1
Lionel 1
Mather 1
Myer 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Siegbert 1
Solomon 1
Victor 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 Caro households.

FAQ

Caro surname: questions and answers

How common was the Caro surname in 1881?

In 1881, 75 people were recorded with the Caro surname. That placed it at #22,893 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Caro surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 201 in 2016. That gives Caro a modern rank of #19,525.

What does the Caro surname mean?

Derived from the Latin word "carus," meaning beloved or dear, or from a shortened form of the name "Carolina."

What does the Caro map show?

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