NameCensus.

UK surname

Defoe

A French locational surname derived from "de la foy", meaning "from the beech tree".

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Defoe surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 235, ranked #17,530, up from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Westminster, Newham and Central Bedfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Defoe is 240 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 770.4%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

235

2016, ranked #17,530

Peak year

2009

240 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Defoe had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 235 in 2016, ranked #17,530.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Defoe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Defoe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Defoe 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 19 #29,904
1861 historical 15 #31,942
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 36 #31,465
1901 historical 27 #31,057
1911 historical 30 #30,073
1997 modern 187 #18,398
1998 modern 210 #17,600
1999 modern 200 #18,237
2000 modern 199 #18,278
2001 modern 195 #18,215
2002 modern 202 #18,189
2003 modern 199 #18,195
2004 modern 205 #17,935
2005 modern 207 #17,731
2006 modern 213 #17,563
2007 modern 223 #17,248
2008 modern 225 #17,282
2009 modern 240 #16,896
2010 modern 239 #17,280
2011 modern 228 #17,673
2012 modern 224 #17,786
2013 modern 229 #17,816
2014 modern 227 #18,029
2015 modern 236 #17,477
2016 modern 235 #17,530

Geography

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Where Defoes 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 Westminster, Newham, Central Bedfordshire, Norwich and Brent. 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 Westminster 004 Westminster
2 Newham 001 Newham
3 Central Bedfordshire 025 Central Bedfordshire
4 Norwich 011 Norwich
5 Brent 027 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Defoe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Defoe

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Defoe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Defoe 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Defoe is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Defoe 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

Defoe falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Defoe 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Defoe

The surname Defoe has its origins in France, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old French term "de la foy," meaning "of the faith," suggesting that the name may have been associated with individuals who were particularly devout or involved in religious matters.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Defoe surname can be found in the archives of the town of Caen in Normandy, where a certain Jean Defoe was listed as a resident in the year 1587. This provides a glimpse into the geographical origins of the name and its potential connection to the Normandy region.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Defoe, Deffoë, and Defeau. These variations likely arose due to regional differences in pronunciation and the influence of different languages and dialects.

In England, the Defoe surname gained particular prominence with the life and works of Daniel Defoe, the renowned writer and journalist born in 1660. Defoe is best known for his novel "Robinson Crusoe," which is often credited as one of the earliest English novels and a pioneering work of realistic fiction.

Another notable figure with the Defoe surname was Jacques Defoe, a 17th-century French engraver and painter who was active in Paris during the reign of Louis XIV. His works were highly regarded and can be found in various art collections across Europe.

The Defoe name also appears in historical records from the Netherlands, with a prominent example being Hendrik Defoe, a Dutch merchant and trader who lived in the late 16th century. He was known for his involvement in the thriving spice trade between the Netherlands and the East Indies.

In Scotland, the Defoe surname can be traced back to the 18th century, with records showing a family of Defoes residing in the region of Aberdeenshire. One notable member of this family was Robert Defoe, a successful businessman and landowner who lived from 1730 to 1812.

Another individual of note was Marie-Anne Defoe, a French playwright and author who lived during the late 18th century. Her works, which explored themes of love, betrayal, and societal norms, were widely performed and acclaimed in her time.

While the Defoe surname may have originated in France, it has since spread across various parts of Europe and beyond, with individuals bearing this name contributing to diverse fields such as literature, art, business, and trade.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Defoe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Defoe 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 12 Defoes recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.92x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 12 4.92x
Essex 6 12.47x
Kent 4 4.81x
Glamorgan 1 2.36x
Norfolk 1 2.67x
Royal Navy 1 34.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Friern Barnet in Middlesex leads with 7 Defoes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1296.30x.

Place Total Index
Friern Barnet 7 1296.30x
Chelmsford 6 722.89x
Deptford St Paul 3 46.80x
St Pancras London 2 10.20x
Milton In Gravesend 1 80.00x
St Martin In Fields 1 68.49x
St Marylebone London 1 7.69x
Swansea Town 1 28.74x
West Lynn 1 2000.00x
Whitechapel London 1 41.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 3
Allice 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Eleanor 1
Ethel 1
Liza 1
Mabel 1
Mary 1
Matilda 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 3
Dan 1
Daniel 1
Earnest 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
James 1
John 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 Defoe households.

FAQ

Defoe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Defoe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Defoe surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Defoe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 235 in 2016. That gives Defoe a modern rank of #17,530.

What does the Defoe surname mean?

A French locational surname derived from "de la foy", meaning "from the beech tree".

What does the Defoe map show?

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