NameCensus.

UK surname

Do

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Du, meaning "honest" or "sincere."

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Do surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 425, ranked #11,300, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tower Hamlets, Hounslow and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Do is 425 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5971.4%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

425

2016, ranked #11,300

Peak year

2016

425 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Do had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 425 in 2016, ranked #11,300.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 19 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Do surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Do surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Do 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 8 #32,887
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1997 modern 154 #20,780
1998 modern 180 #19,298
1999 modern 185 #19,127
2000 modern 189 #18,860
2001 modern 186 #18,773
2002 modern 189 #18,950
2003 modern 211 #17,513
2004 modern 219 #17,180
2005 modern 235 #16,335
2006 modern 256 #15,496
2007 modern 275 #14,888
2008 modern 318 #13,604
2009 modern 339 #13,281
2010 modern 398 #12,039
2011 modern 394 #11,997
2012 modern 331 #13,538
2013 modern 361 #12,861
2014 modern 371 #12,689
2015 modern 402 #11,861
2016 modern 425 #11,300

Geography

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Where Dos 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 Tower Hamlets, Hounslow, Southwark, Derby 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 Tower Hamlets 030 Tower Hamlets
2 Hounslow 003 Hounslow
3 Southwark 007 Southwark
4 Derby 023 Derby
5 Bexley 002 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Do

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

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

Do 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

Do 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 Do 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
Asian - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Do

The surname Do has its origins in the Portuguese language and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "de" meaning "from" or "of," indicating a person's place of origin or association with a specific location.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Do can be found in the "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), a medieval Portuguese manuscript dating back to the 13th century. This document contains records of noble families and mentions several individuals with the surname Do, suggesting its widespread use among the Portuguese nobility at that time.

The name Do was particularly prevalent in the northern regions of Portugal, particularly in the areas around Porto and Braga. It is possible that the name originated from specific place names or localities within these regions, although the precise derivation remains unclear.

In the 15th century, during the Age of Discovery, Portuguese explorers and navigators played a significant role in expanding the reach of the Portuguese Empire. Among these notable figures was Bartolomeu Do, a renowned navigator who accompanied Vasco da Gama on his historic voyage to India in 1497-1499.

Another notable individual with the surname Do was João Do, a 16th-century Portuguese explorer and trader. He is credited with establishing trade routes and settlements in various parts of Asia, including Malacca, Sumatra, and the Moluccas.

In the realm of literature, the surname Do is associated with the 19th-century Portuguese writer and philosopher, António Do. Born in 1835, he was a prominent figure in the Romantic movement and is best known for his philosophical works and poetry.

Moving into the 20th century, the name Do gained recognition in the field of sports. Mário Do, a Portuguese footballer born in 1942, played as a striker for several top clubs in Portugal and represented his national team in the 1966 World Cup.

Another notable figure with the surname Do is the contemporary Portuguese architect, Eduardo Do. Born in 1964, he has gained international acclaim for his innovative and sustainable architectural designs, particularly in the field of urban planning and residential projects.

While the surname Do has its roots in Portugal, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Portugal.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Do families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Do 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. Angus leads with 1 Dos recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.90x.

County Total Index
Angus 1 36.90x
Derbyshire 1 21.88x
Royal Navy 1 285.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 1 Dos recorded in 1881 and an index of 99.01x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 1 99.01x
Mickleover 1 10000.00x
Royal Navy 1 333.33x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Jim 1
W. 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 Do households.

FAQ

Do surname: questions and answers

How common was the Do surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Do surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Do surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 425 in 2016. That gives Do a modern rank of #11,300.

What does the Do surname mean?

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Du, meaning "honest" or "sincere."

What does the Do map show?

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