UK surname
Italian surname translating to "child of John" or "John's son."
In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Giovanni surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 79, ranked #33,100, down from #30,464 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Giovanni is 106 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 259.1%.
1881 census count
22
Ranked #30,464
Modern count
79
2016, ranked #33,100
Peak year
1911
106 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Giovanni surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Giovanni surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 12 | #32,329 |
| 1881 | historical | 22 | #30,464 |
| 1891 | historical | 34 | #31,604 |
| 1901 | historical | 96 | #23,342 |
| 1911 | historical | 106 | #21,948 |
| 1997 | modern | 71 | #30,521 |
| 1998 | modern | 68 | #31,181 |
| 1999 | modern | 59 | #32,174 |
| 2000 | modern | 55 | #32,609 |
| 2001 | modern | 54 | #32,583 |
| 2002 | modern | 63 | #32,113 |
| 2003 | modern | 58 | #32,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 57 | #32,968 |
| 2005 | modern | 58 | #33,094 |
| 2006 | modern | 56 | #33,587 |
| 2007 | modern | 65 | #33,045 |
| 2008 | modern | 55 | #34,165 |
| 2009 | modern | 61 | #33,915 |
| 2010 | modern | 63 | #34,002 |
| 2011 | modern | 65 | #33,842 |
| 2012 | modern | 68 | #33,763 |
| 2013 | modern | 67 | #33,939 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 76 | #33,351 |
| 2016 | modern | 79 | #33,100 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, St Pancras and St Giles-in-the-Fields. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Giovanni surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Giovanni, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Giovanni surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Giovanni household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Giovanni is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Giovanni is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Giovanni, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Giovanni originates from Italy and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Italian personal name Giovanni, which is the Italian equivalent of the English name John. The name Giovanni itself is derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious."
The earliest recorded instances of the surname Giovanni can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. The name was particularly prevalent among the noble and aristocratic families of these regions.
One of the earliest documented bearers of the surname Giovanni was Pietro Giovanni, a prominent merchant and banker from Florence, who lived in the 13th century. His family played a significant role in the economic and political affairs of the city during that time.
In the 14th century, the name Giovanni appeared in several historical records, including the "Codice Diplomatico della Repubblica di Genova," a collection of diplomatic documents from the Republic of Genoa. One notable figure from this era was Francesco Giovanni, a Genoese statesman and diplomat who served as an ambassador to the court of King Edward III of England in the 1340s.
During the Renaissance period, the surname Giovanni gained further prominence, particularly in the arts and literature. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), an Italian writer and poet best known for his masterpiece, the "Decameron."
Another notable figure was Giovanni Bellini (c. 1430-1516), a Venetian Renaissance painter renowned for his iconic works, such as the "San Zaccaria Altarpiece" and "The Feast of the Gods." His contributions to the Venetian school of painting were highly influential.
In the field of science, Giovanni Battista Riccioli (1598-1671), an Italian astronomer and philosopher, made significant contributions to the study of astronomy. He is best known for his work "Almagestum Novum," a comprehensive treatise on astronomy published in 1651.
Moving forward in time, Giovanni Verga (1840-1922) was a celebrated Italian writer and one of the foremost figures of the Italian literary movement known as Verismo. His novels and short stories, such as "I Malavoglia" and "Mastro-don Gesualdo," portrayed the harsh realities of life in rural Sicily with vivid realism.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have carried the surname Giovanni throughout history, reflecting the rich cultural and intellectual heritage associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Giovanni surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 17 Giovannis recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.93x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 17 | 7.93x |
| Glamorgan | 3 | 8.03x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 2.28x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 3.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Andrew Holborn London in Middlesex leads with 6 Giovannis recorded in 1881 and an index of 645.16x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Andrew Holborn London | 6 | 645.16x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 3 | 145.63x |
| St Martin In Fields | 3 | 234.38x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 11.59x |
| Greenford | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 86.96x |
| Holy Trinity Less London | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Islington London | 1 | 4.81x |
| Leith North | 1 | 1666.67x |
| St Bride London | 1 | 833.33x |
| St George Bloomsbury | 1 | 81.30x |
| Westminster St James | 1 | 45.45x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Giovanni surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Lelilia | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Giovanni surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Giovanni households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Asphalter | 2 |
| Confectioner | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Seaman | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Apprentice | 1 |
| Artist Engraver | 1 |
| Assistant (Waiter) | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Ice Cream Seller | 1 |
| Musician | 1 |
| Pantryman (Inn) | 1 |
| Porter | 1 |
| Servant Conftr | 1 |
| Teacher Of Music | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Giovanni surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 79 in 2016. That gives Giovanni a modern rank of #33,100.
Italian surname translating to "child of John" or "John's son."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Giovanni bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.