NameCensus.

UK surname

Joe

A surname of Aramaic origin meaning "Jehovah increases" or "the Lord will increase."

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Joe surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 345, ranked #13,321, up from #32,926 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Joe is 345 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5650.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

345

2016, ranked #13,321

Peak year

2016

345 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Joe had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 345 in 2016, ranked #13,321.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 71 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Joe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Joe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Joe 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 71 #20,875
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 26 #31,152
1997 modern 48 #32,878
1998 modern 63 #31,639
1999 modern 68 #31,311
2000 modern 72 #30,977
2001 modern 70 #31,016
2002 modern 89 #29,428
2003 modern 85 #29,877
2004 modern 87 #29,897
2005 modern 105 #27,203
2006 modern 111 #26,565
2007 modern 114 #26,491
2008 modern 123 #25,505
2009 modern 128 #25,427
2010 modern 150 #23,482
2011 modern 171 #21,337
2012 modern 218 #18,139
2013 modern 235 #17,515
2014 modern 279 #15,661
2015 modern 299 #14,796
2016 modern 345 #13,321

Geography

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Where Joes 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 Camden, Croydon, Basildon, South Holland and Trafford. 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 Camden 013 Camden
2 Croydon 038 Croydon
3 Basildon 016 Basildon
4 South Holland 006 South Holland
5 Trafford 015 Trafford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Joe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Joe

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Joe, 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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Joe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Joe 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Joe is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Joe 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

Joe falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Joe 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Joe

The surname "Joe" is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the male given name "Joe," which is a shortened form of the name "Joseph." The name "Joseph" has its roots in the Hebrew name "Yosef," meaning "he will add" or "he will increase."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Joe" can be found in the Domesday Book, a historical record commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions a landowner named "Ioe" in the county of Sussex, which is likely an early spelling variation of the surname.

During the Middle Ages, surnames were often derived from personal names, occupations, or descriptive elements. The surname "Joe" likely emerged as a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally used to identify someone as the son of a person named "Joe" or "Joseph."

In the 14th century, records show a "William Joe" living in Yorkshire, and in the 15th century, a "John Joe" is documented in the Lancashire county records. These early examples demonstrate the gradual adoption of the surname by families across different regions of England.

Notable individuals who bore the surname "Joe" throughout history include:

1. Samuel Joe (1817-1891), an English architect known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London. 2. Mary Joe (1856-1932), a British author and poet who wrote under the pen name "Mary Josephine." 3. William Joe (1892-1971), a Scottish football player who played as a forward for several clubs, including Rangers and Celtic. 4. Thomas Joe (1927-2003), an American artist and painter renowned for his abstract expressionist works. 5. Emily Joe (born 1972), a Canadian author and journalist who has written extensively on indigenous issues and culture.

The surname "Joe" has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as "Joe's Hill" in Warwickshire and "Joe's Wood" in Nottinghamshire. These place names may have derived from individuals bearing the surname or could have influenced the adoption of the surname in those regions.

Overall, the surname "Joe" has a long and rich history, tracing its origins back to the medieval period in England. Its connection to the personal name "Joseph" and its evolution as a patronymic surname have contributed to its enduring presence across generations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Joe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Joe 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. Angus leads with 22 Joes recorded in 1881 and an index of 87.03x.

County Total Index
Angus 22 87.03x
Buckinghamshire 3 18.18x
Kent 1 1.07x
Middlesex 1 0.37x
Staffordshire 1 1.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brechin in Angus leads with 17 Joes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1717.17x.

Place Total Index
Brechin 17 1717.17x
Aberlemno 3 3333.33x
Adstock 3 10000.00x
Burslem 1 37.88x
Inverkeillor 1 625.00x
Oathlaw 1 2500.00x
Shadwell London 1 131.58x
Woolwich 1 29.07x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 1
Emma 1
Kate 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Ah 1
George 1
Old 1
Watercress 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 Joe households.

FAQ

Joe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Joe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Joe surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Joe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 345 in 2016. That gives Joe a modern rank of #13,321.

What does the Joe surname mean?

A surname of Aramaic origin meaning "Jehovah increases" or "the Lord will increase."

What does the Joe map show?

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