NameCensus.

UK surname

Gu

A Chinese surname meaning "valley" or "grain," or referring to a person from the ancient Chinese state of Gu.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Gu surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 191, ranked #20,194, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Cambridge and Swansea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gu is 191 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9450.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

191

2016, ranked #20,194

Peak year

2016

191 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gu had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016, ranked #20,194.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gu 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
1997 modern 8 #37,372
1998 modern 11 #36,908
1999 modern 18 #36,151
2000 modern 19 #36,007
2001 modern 20 #35,754
2002 modern 31 #34,866
2003 modern 44 #33,875
2004 modern 56 #33,067
2005 modern 69 #32,007
2006 modern 69 #32,343
2007 modern 73 #32,287
2008 modern 83 #31,483
2009 modern 105 #28,815
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 120 #26,930
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 144 #24,323
2014 modern 157 #23,101
2015 modern 173 #21,542
2016 modern 191 #20,194

Geography

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Where Gus 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 Manchester, Cambridge, Swansea, Kensington and Chelsea and Coventry. 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 Manchester 024 Manchester
2 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
3 Swansea 026 Swansea
4 Kensington and Chelsea 008 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Coventry 033 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gu

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Gu 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

Gu 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

Gu falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gu 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Gu

The surname "Gu" is of Chinese origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC - 256 BC). It is believed to have originated from the state of Gu, located in present-day Henan province. The name is derived from the Chinese character "穀", which means "grain" or "crops", reflecting the agricultural heritage of the region.

During the Tang Dynasty (618 AD - 907 AD), the name "Gu" appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, indicating its widespread use among noble families and scholars. One notable figure was Gu Kuang, a renowned poet and calligrapher who lived from 725 AD to 816 AD.

In the Song Dynasty (960 AD - 1279 AD), the "Gu" surname gained further prominence. The famous scholar and statesman Gu Yanwu (1613 AD - 1682 AD) made significant contributions to the study of Chinese history and philosophy. His works, such as the "Ri Zhi Lu" (日知錄), have been widely studied and influential.

The Ming Dynasty (1368 AD - 1644 AD) saw the rise of several notable figures bearing the "Gu" surname. Gu Tingxiu (1592 AD - 1656 AD) was a renowned painter and calligrapher, known for his innovative techniques and mastery of the "xieyi" (寫意) style. Gu Xiancheng (1550 AD - 1612 AD) was a prominent scholar and philosopher who made notable contributions to the Neo-Confucian movement.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1912 AD), the "Gu" surname continued to be prominent. Gu Zhun (1718 AD - 1794 AD) was a renowned scholar and official who served as a high-ranking member of the Hanlin Academy, the imperial academy of scholars. Gu Zhengxie (1646 AD - 1711 AD) was a celebrated playwright and poet, known for his contributions to the development of the "kunqu" (崑曲) opera form.

The surname "Gu" has a rich historical legacy, with many notable figures contributing to various fields, including literature, philosophy, art, and statesmanship. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Zhou Dynasty, reflecting the agricultural roots of the region where it first emerged.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gu surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gu surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Gu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 191 in 2016. That gives Gu a modern rank of #20,194.

What does the Gu surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "valley" or "grain," or referring to a person from the ancient Chinese state of Gu.

What does the Gu map show?

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