NameCensus.

UK surname

Ferro

An Italian occupational surname referring to an iron worker or smith.

In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Ferro surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 256, ranked #16,534, up from #31,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackburn with Darwen, Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ferro is 256 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1322.2%.

1881 census count

18

Ranked #31,019

Modern count

256

2016, ranked #16,534

Peak year

2016

256 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ferro had 18 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 256 in 2016, ranked #16,534.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 20 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ferro surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ferro surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ferro 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
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 18 #31,019
1891 historical 15 #32,956
1901 historical 10 #33,026
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 172 #19,371
1998 modern 192 #18,561
1999 modern 190 #18,797
2000 modern 192 #18,683
2001 modern 189 #18,590
2002 modern 191 #18,817
2003 modern 193 #18,501
2004 modern 190 #18,792
2005 modern 186 #18,985
2006 modern 201 #18,226
2007 modern 198 #18,600
2008 modern 200 #18,640
2009 modern 209 #18,493
2010 modern 216 #18,492
2011 modern 215 #18,379
2012 modern 240 #16,979
2013 modern 241 #17,202
2014 modern 248 #16,991
2015 modern 246 #16,994
2016 modern 256 #16,534

Geography

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Where Ferros 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 Blackburn with Darwen, Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West, Barnet, Broxbourne and Swansea. 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 Blackburn with Darwen 014 Blackburn with Darwen
2 Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West Aberdeen City
3 Barnet 015 Barnet
4 Broxbourne 002 Broxbourne
5 Swansea 008 Swansea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ferro

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ferro

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Ferro 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

Ferro 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

Ferro falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ferro is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Ferro

The surname Ferro is of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "ferrum," meaning "iron." It likely emerged during the medieval period in the regions of northern Italy, particularly in areas known for ironworking or metalsmithing.

The earliest known record of the Ferro surname appears in the 13th century, when a family bearing this name was mentioned in various documents from the city of Genoa. The name may have originated as a descriptive surname for an individual involved in the iron trade or as a metalworker.

In the 14th century, the Ferro family became prominent in the Republic of Venice, with several members holding influential positions within the city-state's government and mercantile circles. Notably, Niccolò Ferro (1470-1537) was a renowned mathematician credited with discovering a method for solving cubic equations, now known as the "Ferro-Tartaglia method."

During the Renaissance period, the Ferro surname was also associated with notable artists and intellectuals. Andrea Ferro (1515-1594), a sculptor and architect from Genoa, was renowned for his work on several churches and palaces in the city.

As the surname spread throughout Italy, it adopted various regional spellings, such as Ferri, Ferretti, and Ferraro. In the 16th century, a branch of the Ferro family settled in the Kingdom of Naples, where they established themselves as landowners and nobles. Giambattista Ferro (1584-1669), a jurist and diplomat from this lineage, served as the ambassador of Naples to the Holy See.

In the 18th century, the Ferro family gained prominence in the field of medicine. Vincenzo Ferro (1723-1795), a physician from Naples, made significant contributions to the study of obstetrics and gynecology, publishing several influential works on the subject.

Throughout history, the Ferro surname has been carried by various notable individuals, including the Spanish painter Rafael Ferro (1830-1900), the Italian economist and politician Sergio Ferro (1920-1998), and the Argentine writer Roberto Ferro (1935-2019).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ferro families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ferro 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. Lancashire leads with 7 Ferros recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.36x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 7 3.36x
Yorkshire 7 4.02x
Essex 1 2.89x
Glamorgan 1 3.27x
Lanarkshire 1 1.76x
Royal Navy 1 47.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Derby in Lancashire leads with 7 Ferros recorded in 1881 and an index of 114.75x.

Place Total Index
West Derby 7 114.75x
Leeds 5 50.92x
Kingstonupon Hull 2 1428.57x
Cardiff St Mary 1 59.52x
East Ham 1 156.25x
Glasgow 1 9.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 1
Elvira 1
Emily 1
Fernande 1
Marion 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
Bernadino 1
Berthold 1
Francesca 1
Frederick 1
Henry 1
Marci 1
Pasquale 1
Wilhelm 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 Ferro households.

FAQ

Ferro surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ferro surname in 1881?

In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Ferro surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ferro surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 256 in 2016. That gives Ferro a modern rank of #16,534.

What does the Ferro surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to an iron worker or smith.

What does the Ferro map show?

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