NameCensus.

UK surname

De

An aristocratic French surname signifying nobility or originating from a location.

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the De surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 301, ranked #14,696, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Walsall, Deans Village and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for De is 301 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1154.2%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

301

2016, ranked #14,696

Peak year

2016

301 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • De had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 301 in 2016, ranked #14,696.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 24 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

De surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

De surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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De 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 2 #33,133
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1997 modern 157 #20,513
1998 modern 163 #20,582
1999 modern 170 #20,153
2000 modern 197 #18,384
2001 modern 198 #18,047
2002 modern 182 #19,411
2003 modern 170 #20,023
2004 modern 170 #20,146
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 231 #16,636
2007 modern 166 #20,811
2008 modern 153 #22,132
2009 modern 168 #21,290
2010 modern 215 #18,551
2011 modern 172 #21,248
2012 modern 217 #18,184
2013 modern 223 #18,135
2014 modern 247 #17,035
2015 modern 267 #16,050
2016 modern 301 #14,696

Geography

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Where Des 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 Walsall, Deans Village, Manchester, Haringey and Crawley. 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 Walsall 035 Walsall
2 Deans Village City of Edinburgh
3 Manchester 030 Manchester
4 Haringey 036 Haringey
5 Crawley 009 Crawley

Forenames

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First names often paired with De

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

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

De 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

De falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for De 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of De

The surname "De" is a prefix that originates from the Old French language and was commonly used before place names to indicate someone's place of origin or residence. It derives from the Latin word "de," meaning "from" or "of." The name has a long history and can be traced back to the Middle Ages in various regions of Europe.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "De" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book contains numerous entries with the prefix "De" attached to place names, indicating the origin or residence of individuals.

In the 12th century, the surname "De" was commonly used in France, where it was often combined with the names of towns, villages, or estates. For example, the surname "De Montfort" referred to individuals from the town of Montfort, while "De Valois" indicated a connection to the region of Valois.

As the use of surnames became more widespread, the prefix "De" also gained popularity in other parts of Europe, including Italy, Spain, and Germany. In Italy, the surname "De" was sometimes combined with names of famous cities or regions, such as "De Medici" (from Florence) or "De Luca" (from the region of Lucca).

One notable historical figure with the surname "De" was Sir John de Mandeville, a 14th-century English writer and traveler, who was born around 1300 and is known for his influential travel memoir, "The Travels of Sir John Mandeville."

Another prominent individual with the surname "De" was Jeanne d'Arc, better known as Joan of Arc (1412-1431), the French heroine and Catholic saint who played a pivotal role in the Hundred Years' War between France and England.

In the 15th century, the surname "De" was also associated with some prominent Italian families, such as the De' Medici family, who ruled Florence and were influential patrons of the arts and sciences during the Renaissance period. One of the most famous members of this family was Lorenzo de' Medici (1449-1492), a statesman and patron of the arts.

In Spain, the surname "De" was often combined with the names of towns or regions, as in the case of Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro (1485-1547), the Spanish conquistador who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico.

Another notable figure with the surname "De" was René Descartes (1596-1650), the French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, often regarded as the father of modern philosophy and a key figure in the Scientific Revolution.

While the surname "De" has a rich history and has been associated with many influential individuals throughout the centuries, it is important to note that this report focuses solely on the historical and etymological aspects of the surname, without delving into modern census data or recent trends.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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De families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the De 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. Monmouthshire leads with 1 Des recorded in 1881 and an index of 142.86x.

County Total Index
Monmouthshire 1 142.86x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedwellty in Monmouthshire leads with 1 Des recorded in 1881 and an index of 833.33x.

Place Total Index
Bedwellty 1 833.33x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Jeremiah 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 De households.

Occupation Count
General Labourer 1

FAQ

De surname: questions and answers

How common was the De surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the De surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the De surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 301 in 2016. That gives De a modern rank of #14,696.

What does the De surname mean?

An aristocratic French surname signifying nobility or originating from a location.

What does the De map show?

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