NameCensus.

UK surname

Chi

A Chinese surname meaning "pool" or "pond," or referring to a person from a place with this name.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Chi surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 166, ranked #22,140, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Tower Hamlets and South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chi is 166 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16500.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

166

2016, ranked #22,140

Peak year

2016

166 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chi had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 166 in 2016, ranked #22,140.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Chi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chi 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 1 #33,412
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1997 modern 35 #34,174
1998 modern 39 #33,967
1999 modern 46 #33,424
2000 modern 41 #33,889
2001 modern 41 #33,753
2002 modern 49 #33,377
2003 modern 52 #33,160
2004 modern 56 #33,067
2005 modern 67 #32,196
2006 modern 79 #31,263
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 81 #31,713
2009 modern 105 #28,815
2010 modern 129 #25,900
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 147 #23,977
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 164 #22,325
2016 modern 166 #22,140

Geography

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Where Chis 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 Ealing, Tower Hamlets, South Somerset, Wakefield and North East Lincolnshire. 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 Ealing 002 Ealing
2 Tower Hamlets 026 Tower Hamlets
3 South Somerset 012 South Somerset
4 Wakefield 025 Wakefield
5 North East Lincolnshire 015 North East Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chi

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

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

Chi 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

Chi falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Chi 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 Chi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Chi

The surname "Chi" is a Chinese name that originated in the Guangdong province of southern China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is derived from the Chinese word "chi," which means "pool" or "pond."

The earliest recorded appearance of this surname dates back to the late 15th century, when it was documented in local genealogical records from the Guangdong region. It is believed that the name originated as a descriptive surname, likely referring to a family that lived near a body of water or whose ancestors were associated with fishing or other water-related activities.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname "Chi" was Chi Xiangyuan, a scholar and philosopher who lived during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century. He was renowned for his contributions to the Neo-Confucian movement and his influential writings on ethics and morality.

In the 17th century, the surname "Chi" appeared in various administrative records and local histories from the Guangdong area, indicating its continued presence and prevalence among the local population.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the surname "Chi" gained wider recognition and spread to other regions of China. One notable figure from this period was Chi Yun (1724-1805), a renowned painter and calligrapher who contributed significantly to the development of the "Lingnan" (Cantonese) style of art.

As Chinese emigration increased in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname "Chi" also spread to other parts of the world, particularly Southeast Asia and North America. Among the notable individuals with this surname is Chi Kung (1914-2005), a renowned Taiwanese writer and literary critic who played a significant role in shaping modern Chinese literature.

In more recent history, the surname "Chi" has continued to be associated with various accomplished individuals, such as Chi Shing (1936-2014), a prominent Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist, and Chi Mei (1920-2018), a celebrated Taiwanese writer and educator known for her contributions to children's literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chi 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 Chis 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 Chis recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Mickleover 1 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
G. 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 Chi households.

Occupation Count
Master Carter 1

FAQ

Chi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chi surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Chi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 166 in 2016. That gives Chi a modern rank of #22,140.

What does the Chi surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "pool" or "pond," or referring to a person from a place with this name.

What does the Chi map show?

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