NameCensus.

UK surname

Distefano

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who made or sold woolen cloth.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Distefano surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 181, ranked #20,955, up from #33,721 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Distefano is 185 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8950.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

181

2016, ranked #20,955

Peak year

2014

185 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Distefano had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016, ranked #20,955.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Distefano surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Distefano surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Distefano 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
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1997 modern 115 #24,834
1998 modern 124 #24,316
1999 modern 132 #23,602
2000 modern 140 #22,752
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 144 #22,501
2003 modern 147 #21,977
2004 modern 143 #22,471
2005 modern 143 #22,473
2006 modern 144 #22,520
2007 modern 154 #21,804
2008 modern 153 #22,132
2009 modern 153 #22,611
2010 modern 164 #22,109
2011 modern 163 #21,983
2012 modern 172 #21,219
2013 modern 180 #20,954
2014 modern 185 #20,739
2015 modern 176 #21,291
2016 modern 181 #20,955

Geography

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Where Distefanos 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 Broxbourne, Bedford, Westminster, Salford and Bexley. 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 Broxbourne 002 Broxbourne
2 Bedford 013 Bedford
3 Westminster 016 Westminster
4 Salford 016 Salford
5 Bexley 011 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Distefano

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Distefano

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Distefano is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Distefano 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

Distefano falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Distefano

The surname DiStefano is of Italian origin, specifically from the regions of Sicily and Calabria. It can be traced back to the 11th century and is believed to derive from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crown" or "wreath." The prefix "Di" was commonly added to surnames in Southern Italy, indicating a patronymic form or a place of origin.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Sicilian town of Militello Val di Catania, where a nobleman named Stefano di Stefano is mentioned in a document dated 1235. This suggests that the surname likely emerged as a way to distinguish between different individuals named Stefano within the same community.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the DiStefano name appeared in various historical records and manuscripts in Sicily and Calabria. For example, a Gaspare DiStefano was recorded as a landowner in the town of Reggio Calabria in 1387.

In the 15th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Girolamo DiStefano (1420-1492), a renowned poet and scholar from Messina, Sicily. His works, which included sonnets and lyric poetry, were widely acclaimed and contributed to the cultural renaissance of the time.

Another notable figure was Antonio DiStefano (1556-1634), a Sicilian architect and engineer who was responsible for the construction of several important buildings and fortifications in Palermo, including the Palazzo Reale and parts of the city's defensive walls.

The DiStefano name continued to be associated with influential individuals throughout the centuries. In the 18th century, Giuseppe DiStefano (1718-1792) was a prominent lawyer and politician from Catania, who served as a judge in the Sicilian parliament and played a significant role in the island's legal and political affairs.

During the 19th century, the DiStefano family produced several notable artists and intellectuals, such as the painter Vincenzo DiStefano (1813-1877) from Messina, whose works captured the landscapes and daily life of Sicily. Another prominent figure was the philosopher and writer Carmelo DiStefano (1851-1927), who was born in Agrigento and made significant contributions to the fields of epistemology and ethics.

Throughout its history, the surname DiStefano has been associated with various place names and variations in spelling, such as Distefano, De Stefano, and Di Stefano, reflecting the linguistic diversity and regional variations within Italy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Distefano families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Distefano 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. Channel Islands leads with 2 Distefanos recorded in 1881 and an index of 173.91x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 2 173.91x
Derbyshire 2 32.89x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Derby St Alkmund in Derbyshire leads with 2 Distefanos recorded in 1881 and an index of 1111.11x.

Place Total Index
Derby St Alkmund 2 1111.11x
St Helier 2 540.54x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Filomena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alexandre 1
Antonio 1
Modeste 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 Distefano households.

FAQ

Distefano surname: questions and answers

How common was the Distefano surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Distefano surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Distefano surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016. That gives Distefano a modern rank of #20,955.

What does the Distefano surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who made or sold woolen cloth.

What does the Distefano map show?

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