NameCensus.

UK surname

Esposito

Derived from the Italian word "esposto," referring to a child abandoned or given up for adoption.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Esposito surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 946, ranked #6,062, up from #33,498 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Esposito is 951 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31433.3%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

946

2016, ranked #6,062

Peak year

2015

951 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Esposito had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 946 in 2016, ranked #6,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 64 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Esposito surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Esposito surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Esposito 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 3 #33,498
1891 historical 8 #33,550
1901 historical 55 #28,064
1911 historical 64 #26,435
1997 modern 581 #8,331
1998 modern 621 #8,190
1999 modern 662 #7,834
2000 modern 663 #7,816
2001 modern 640 #7,883
2002 modern 657 #7,880
2003 modern 691 #7,457
2004 modern 694 #7,456
2005 modern 720 #7,161
2006 modern 749 #6,989
2007 modern 781 #6,822
2008 modern 793 #6,802
2009 modern 822 #6,726
2010 modern 855 #6,657
2011 modern 864 #6,534
2012 modern 876 #6,378
2013 modern 909 #6,302
2014 modern 939 #6,182
2015 modern 951 #6,071
2016 modern 946 #6,062

Geography

Back to top

Where Espositos 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 Carmarthenshire, Bedford, Carnoustie East and Neath Port Talbot. 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 Carmarthenshire 026 Carmarthenshire
2 Bedford 013 Bedford
3 Carnoustie East Angus
4 Bedford 006 Bedford
5 Neath Port Talbot 011 Neath Port Talbot

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Esposito

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Esposito

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Esposito is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Esposito 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

Esposito falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Esposito

The surname Esposito originated in Italy, tracing its roots back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Italian word "esposto," which means "exposed" or "abandoned." The name was initially given to children who were abandoned and left at foundling homes or orphanages.

In the early days, foundling homes were often run by religious institutions, and the abandoned children were given surnames related to their circumstances. Esposito became a common surname in Naples and the surrounding regions of Campania, where many such foundling homes were located.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Esposito can be found in a 13th-century document from the city of Salerno, mentioning a certain "Petrus Espositus." This suggests that the name was already in use by that time in the southern Italian regions.

Over the centuries, the Esposito surname spread across Italy, particularly in the regions of Campania, Lazio, and Sicily. It became associated with several notable individuals, including Giambattista Esposito (1564-1639), a renowned Italian painter and architect from Naples.

Another prominent figure with the Esposito surname was Placido Esposito (1804-1859), an Italian revolutionary and patriot who played a significant role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification in the 19th century.

In the 20th century, Esposito gained further recognition with individuals like Francesco Esposito (1922-2001), an Italian film actor known for his roles in Spaghetti Western movies, and Michele Esposito (1855-1929), an Italian-American anarchist and labor leader who advocated for workers' rights in the United States.

The surname Esposito has also been associated with various place names and older spellings. For example, the town of Espositomonti in the province of Salerno is believed to be derived from the surname, reflecting the presence of the Esposito family in the region.

While the Esposito surname has its roots in Italy, it has since spread worldwide due to Italian migration and diaspora communities. Today, it remains a prominent surname in Italy and among Italian-American communities, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Esposito families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Esposito 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. Cornwall leads with 2 Espositos recorded in 1881 and an index of 45.45x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 2 45.45x
Gloucestershire 1 13.12x
Royal Navy 1 217.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Falmouth in Cornwall leads with 2 Espositos recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.

Place Total Index
Falmouth 2 1250.00x
Bristol 1 10000.00x
Royal Navy 1 250.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Agastino 1
Enrico 1
Francesco 1
Liberate 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 Esposito households.

FAQ

Esposito surname: questions and answers

How common was the Esposito surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Esposito surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Esposito surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 946 in 2016. That gives Esposito a modern rank of #6,062.

What does the Esposito surname mean?

Derived from the Italian word "esposto," referring to a child abandoned or given up for adoption.

What does the Esposito map show?

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