NameCensus.

UK surname

Couto

A Portuguese topographic surname referring to a person who lived near an area enclosed by walls or fences.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Epping Forest, Camden and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Couto is 111 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

106

2016, ranked #29,927

Peak year

2014

111 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016, ranked #29,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Couto surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Couto surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Couto 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1997 modern 37 #33,964
1998 modern 33 #34,532
1999 modern 25 #35,413
2000 modern 30 #34,885
2001 modern 33 #34,436
2002 modern 41 #34,032
2003 modern 39 #34,296
2004 modern 42 #34,222
2005 modern 42 #34,395
2006 modern 49 #34,152
2007 modern 62 #33,346
2008 modern 67 #33,135
2009 modern 75 #32,733
2010 modern 88 #31,875
2011 modern 87 #31,905
2012 modern 89 #31,934
2013 modern 110 #29,028
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 106 #29,927

Geography

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Where Coutos 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 Epping Forest, Camden, Islington, Boston and Manchester. 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 Epping Forest 012 Epping Forest
2 Camden 004 Camden
3 Islington 018 Islington
4 Boston 003 Boston
5 Manchester 059 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Couto

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

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

Couto 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

Couto falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Couto is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Couto

The surname Couto is of Portuguese origin, originating from the region of Portugal in the 15th century. It is derived from the Portuguese word "couto," which means a territory exempt from the jurisdiction of the local lord or king, serving as a sanctuary or refuge. The name may have been given to someone who lived in or was associated with such a territorial enclave.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Couto dates back to the 16th century, when it appeared in the Livro de Linhagens, a Portuguese genealogical record. This suggests that the name was already well-established by that time.

The name Couto has also been linked to various place names in Portugal, such as Couto de Baixo and Couto de Cima, which were likely named after the concept of a "couto" or sanctuary.

Among notable individuals who bore the surname Couto throughout history is João Couto (1470-1538), a Portuguese explorer and navigator who participated in the expeditions of Vasco da Gama to India. Another prominent figure was Manuel Couto (1579-1646), a Portuguese soldier and historian who served in India and authored the work "Decada da Asia."

In the 17th century, Pedro Couto (1610-1672) was a celebrated Portuguese painter known for his religious works and portraits. Centuries later, José Couto (1873-1951) gained recognition as a Portuguese writer and journalist, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of his time.

It is worth mentioning that the surname Couto has also been found in Spanish-speaking regions, likely due to the historical connections between Portugal and Spain. One notable bearer of the name was Manuel Couto (1887-1957), a Cuban writer and journalist known for his literary works and contributions to the Cuban press.

Throughout its history, the surname Couto has maintained a strong presence in Portugal and other regions influenced by Portuguese culture, reflecting the significance of the concept of sanctuaries and territorial enclaves in the nation's past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Couto surname: questions and answers

How common is the Couto surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016. That gives Couto a modern rank of #29,927.

What does the Couto surname mean?

A Portuguese topographic surname referring to a person who lived near an area enclosed by walls or fences.

What does the Couto map show?

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