NameCensus.

UK surname

Guo

A Chinese surname meaning "country," "state," or "nation," originally referring to the ancient state of Guo.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Guo is 588 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

588

2016, ranked #8,855

Peak year

2016

588 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 588 in 2016, ranked #8,855.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Guo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Guo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Guo 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
1997 modern 26 #35,135
1998 modern 37 #34,149
1999 modern 44 #33,601
2000 modern 54 #32,710
2001 modern 62 #31,798
2002 modern 91 #29,181
2003 modern 119 #25,026
2004 modern 152 #21,628
2005 modern 182 #19,259
2006 modern 210 #17,718
2007 modern 253 #15,776
2008 modern 276 #14,994
2009 modern 309 #14,135
2010 modern 407 #11,824
2011 modern 348 #13,134
2012 modern 468 #10,366
2013 modern 481 #10,315
2014 modern 525 #9,745
2015 modern 551 #9,294
2016 modern 588 #8,855

Geography

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Where Guos 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 Swansea, Lewisham, Manchester, Tower Hamlets and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Swansea 025 Swansea
2 Lewisham 012 Lewisham
3 Manchester 018 Manchester
4 Tower Hamlets 031 Tower Hamlets
5 Newcastle upon Tyne 024 Newcastle upon Tyne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Guo

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

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

Guo 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

Guo 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 Guo 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 - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Guo

The surname "Guo" is of Chinese origin, with its roots tracing back to ancient times. This name first emerged during the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC - 256 BC) and was commonly found in various regions of China, particularly in the northern and central provinces.

The word "Guo" itself has its origins in the Chinese language, where it originally meant "kingdom" or "state." It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals who held significant positions or roles within the governing structures of these ancient kingdoms or states.

Historical records indicate that the name "Guo" can be found in various ancient Chinese manuscripts and texts, such as the "Shiji" (Records of the Grand Historian), written by the renowned historian Sima Qian during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). This work documented the lives and achievements of notable individuals, including those bearing the surname "Guo."

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name "Guo" dates back to the 5th century BC, when Guo Kai, a prominent military strategist and adviser to the State of Wu, played a crucial role in the kingdom's victories during the Spring and Autumn Period (771 BC - 476 BC).

Another notable figure was Guo Xian (647 - 728 AD), a revered Buddhist monk and scholar during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD). He is renowned for his contributions to the translation and dissemination of Buddhist teachings throughout China.

In the realm of literature, Guo Moruo (1892 - 1978) stands out as a prominent figure. A celebrated poet, historian, and scholar, he played a significant role in the development of modern Chinese literature and was deeply involved in the May Fourth Movement, a pivotal cultural and intellectual renaissance in China.

The name "Guo" has also been associated with various place names throughout China's history. For instance, the ancient city of Guozhou, located in present-day Anhui Province, was once an important trading hub and cultural center during the Tang Dynasty.

It is worth noting that the surname "Guo" has been subject to various spellings and variations over the centuries, such as "Kuo" and "Kwoh," reflecting the evolution of the Chinese language and its written form.

Among the notable figures who bore the surname "Guo" are Guo Xiang (252 - 312 AD), a renowned Taoist philosopher and commentator on the Zhuangzi text during the Jin Dynasty, and Guo Pu (276 - 324 AD), a prominent writer and scholar who authored commentaries on ancient Chinese classics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Guo surname: questions and answers

How common is the Guo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 588 in 2016. That gives Guo a modern rank of #8,855.

What does the Guo surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "country," "state," or "nation," originally referring to the ancient state of Guo.

What does the Guo map show?

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