NameCensus.

UK surname

Hoo

A surname likely deriving from the Old French or Middle English for "hood" or "cap".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Hoo surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 105, ranked #30,114, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Croydon, Birmingham and Mole Valley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hoo is 105 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10400.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

105

2016, ranked #30,114

Peak year

2016

105 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hoo had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016, ranked #30,114.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Hoo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hoo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hoo 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
1851 historical 1 #33,412
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1997 modern 60 #31,629
1998 modern 53 #32,633
1999 modern 59 #32,174
2000 modern 62 #31,939
2001 modern 60 #31,985
2002 modern 69 #31,527
2003 modern 68 #31,689
2004 modern 61 #32,581
2005 modern 73 #31,616
2006 modern 78 #31,385
2007 modern 76 #31,966
2008 modern 80 #31,833
2009 modern 80 #32,277
2010 modern 88 #31,875
2011 modern 81 #32,558
2012 modern 87 #32,180
2013 modern 86 #32,557
2014 modern 90 #32,309
2015 modern 95 #31,749
2016 modern 105 #30,114

Geography

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Where Hoos 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 Croydon, Birmingham and Mole Valley. 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 Croydon 033 Croydon
2 Birmingham 128 Birmingham
3 Mole Valley 001 Mole Valley
4 Birmingham 116 Birmingham
5 Birmingham 127 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hoo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hoo

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

Hoo 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

Hoo falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hoo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Hoo

The surname "HOO" is believed to have originated in England during the late medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "hoh," which means "heel" or "promontory." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a promontory or heel-shaped piece of land.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "HOO" can be found in historical documents dating back to the 13th century. One notable example is the mention of a "William de Hoo" in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1292. This record suggests that the name was already well-established in the county of Essex by the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various spellings, such as "Hoo," "Hou," and "Houe," reflecting the varied pronunciations and spellings of the time. The Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327 list a "John atte Hoo," while the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1379 mention a "Thomas de Howe."

The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not explicitly mention the surname "HOO," but it does include several place names that may have contributed to the development of the surname. For example, the village of "Hoo St. Werburgh" in Kent is recorded as "Hou."

One notable figure with the surname "HOO" was Thomas Hoo (c. 1350-1427), a English soldier and diplomat who served under King Henry IV and King Henry V. He was appointed Lord Chancellor of England in 1415 and played a significant role in the negotiations leading up to the Treaty of Troyes in 1420.

Another historically significant individual with this surname was Sir William Hoo (c. 1375-1456), who served as a Member of Parliament for Sussex and was Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex in 1436. He was also a prominent figure in the conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York during the Wars of the Roses.

In the 16th century, the surname "HOO" appears in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1523, which list a "Thomas Hoo." During this period, the name was also associated with several place names, such as "Hoo St. Mary" and "Hoo All Saints" in Kent.

Another notable figure with this surname was William Hoo (c. 1500-1567), a English clergyman who served as the Dean of Worcester Cathedral from 1556 until his death. He was a vocal supporter of the Reformation and played a role in the development of the Church of England under Queen Elizabeth I.

By the 17th century, the surname "HOO" had spread throughout England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in various counties, including Essex, Kent, and Suffolk. One example is John Hoo (c. 1620-1687), a English landowner and Member of Parliament for Maldon in Essex.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hoo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hoo 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. Berkshire leads with 1 Hoos recorded in 1881 and an index of 138.89x.

County Total Index
Berkshire 1 138.89x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sandhurst in Berkshire leads with 1 Hoos recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Sandhurst 1 10000.00x

FAQ

Hoo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hoo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Hoo surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hoo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016. That gives Hoo a modern rank of #30,114.

What does the Hoo surname mean?

A surname likely deriving from the Old French or Middle English for "hood" or "cap".

What does the Hoo map show?

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