NameCensus.

UK surname

Dinu

A Romanian surname likely derived from the given name Dinu, a diminutive of Constantin.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northampton, Birmingham and Bromley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dinu is 289 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

289

2016, ranked #15,137

Peak year

2016

289 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016, ranked #15,137.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Dinu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dinu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dinu 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
1998 modern 3 #38,304
1999 modern 3 #38,318
2000 modern 3 #38,248
2001 modern 3 #38,091
2002 modern 2 #38,400
2003 modern 6 #37,586
2004 modern 9 #37,213
2005 modern 14 #36,730
2006 modern 21 #36,179
2007 modern 49 #34,422
2008 modern 64 #33,402
2009 modern 82 #32,048
2010 modern 109 #28,831
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 161 #22,157
2013 modern 168 #21,914
2014 modern 206 #19,318
2015 modern 243 #17,141
2016 modern 289 #15,137

Geography

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Where Dinus 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 Northampton, Birmingham and Bromley. 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 Northampton 021 Northampton
2 Birmingham 034 Birmingham
3 Birmingham 039 Birmingham
4 Bromley 008 Bromley
5 Birmingham 036 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dinu

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dinu

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Dinu surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Dinu household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dinu is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dinu 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

Dinu 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 Dinu is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Dinu

The surname DINU is believed to have originated in Romania, with roots dating back to the late 15th century. It is derived from the Romanian word "dinu," which means "the oak tree." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to describe someone who lived near an oak tree or a forest of oak trees.

One of the earliest known references to the name DINU can be found in a historical document from the Wallachian region of modern-day Romania, dated around 1480. This document mentions a landowner named Dinu Pătruță, who owned a sizeable estate in the area.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name DINU became more widespread in various regions of Romania, particularly in the areas around the cities of Bucharest and Ploiești. It was often associated with families involved in agriculture or forestry, further reinforcing its connection to the oak tree.

In the 18th century, the DINU surname gained prominence with the birth of Ion Dinu (1720-1795), a prominent Romanian scholar and philosopher. He is recognized for his contributions to the development of the Romanian language and his efforts to promote education in the region.

Another notable figure bearing the DINU surname was Constantin Dinu (1846-1919), a Romanian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for a brief period in the late 19th century.

The 20th century saw the emergence of several prominent individuals with the DINU surname, including Gheorghe Dinu (1904-1981), a renowned Romanian painter and sculptor known for his works depicting rural life and landscapes.

Additionally, Mihail Dinu (1920-2002) was a respected Romanian mathematician and computer scientist, recognized for his contributions to the field of combinatorics and his work on developing early computer systems in Romania.

It is worth noting that variations of the DINU surname, such as Dinulescu and Dinescu, have also been found in historical records, possibly indicating regional or localized variations of the name over time.

While the DINU surname is most commonly associated with Romania, there have been instances of its use in other regions, likely due to migration and cultural exchange. However, the name's origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the Romanian cultural and linguistic heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dinu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dinu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016. That gives Dinu a modern rank of #15,137.

What does the Dinu surname mean?

A Romanian surname likely derived from the given name Dinu, a diminutive of Constantin.

What does the Dinu map show?

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