NameCensus.

UK surname

Jose

A Spanish and Portuguese patronymic surname meaning "son of José," a variant of Joseph.

In the 1881 census there were 542 people recorded with the Jose surname, ranking it #6,362 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,415, ranked #2,727, up from #6,362 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Phillack, Breage and Constantine. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jose is 2,415 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 345.6%.

1881 census count

542

Ranked #6,362

Modern count

2,415

2016, ranked #2,727

Peak year

2016

2,415 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jose had 542 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,362 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,415 in 2016, ranked #2,727.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 674 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Jose surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jose surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jose 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 449 #5,493
1861 historical 510 #5,127
1881 historical 542 #6,362
1891 historical 560 #6,775
1901 historical 632 #6,787
1911 historical 674 #6,264
1997 modern 832 #6,342
1998 modern 876 #6,292
1999 modern 869 #6,377
2000 modern 875 #6,311
2001 modern 855 #6,307
2002 modern 942 #5,968
2003 modern 994 #5,616
2004 modern 1,156 #4,978
2005 modern 1,334 #4,346
2006 modern 1,546 #3,843
2007 modern 1,663 #3,646
2008 modern 1,814 #3,413
2009 modern 1,973 #3,246
2010 modern 2,095 #3,158
2011 modern 2,134 #3,062
2012 modern 2,230 #2,887
2013 modern 2,294 #2,860
2014 modern 2,392 #2,775
2015 modern 2,387 #2,760
2016 modern 2,415 #2,727

Geography

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Where Joses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Phillack, Breage, Constantine, Gwennap and Kenwyn, Tregavethan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Phillack Cornwall
2 Breage Cornwall
3 Constantine Cornwall
4 Gwennap Cornwall
5 Kenwyn, Tregavethan Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 057 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 047 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 043 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 055 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 033 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jose

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jose

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Jose surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Jose household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Jose 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

Jose 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

Jose 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 Jose 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Jose

The surname Jose is of Spanish origin, derived from the personal name Joseph, which ultimately comes from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "he will add" or "he will increase." This name has been popular in Spanish-speaking regions since the introduction of Christianity.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Jose can be found in medieval Spanish documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. It was particularly prevalent in regions like Andalusia, where the Moorish influence contributed to the popularity of certain names derived from Arabic.

One notable early figure with the surname Jose was Pedro Jose, a 15th-century Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493. He played a crucial role in establishing settlements in the Caribbean.

In the 16th century, the surname Jose gained prominence in various parts of Spain, as well as in Spanish colonies in the Americas. One noteworthy individual was Diego Jose Navarro, a renowned architect who designed several iconic buildings in Mexico City during the colonial era.

As the Spanish Empire expanded, the surname Jose spread to other regions, including the Philippines. One famous bearer of the name was José Rizal (1861-1896), a revered Filipino polymath, writer, and revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the Philippine independence movement against Spanish colonial rule.

In the 19th century, the surname Jose was also found in various parts of Latin America. One prominent figure was José Martí (1853-1895), a Cuban philosopher, poet, and revolutionary who fought for the independence of Cuba from Spain.

Another notable individual with the surname Jose was José Raúl Capablanca (1888-1942), a Cuban chess grandmaster widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He held the World Chess Championship from 1921 to 1927.

These examples illustrate the widespread presence and historical significance of the surname Jose, which has been carried by notable individuals across various fields, from exploration and architecture to literature, politics, and sports, spanning multiple centuries and regions influenced by Spanish culture and language.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jose families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jose 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. Cornwall leads with 379 Joses recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.32x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 379 63.32x
Middlesex 40 0.76x
Surrey 23 0.89x
Yorkshire 17 0.32x
Durham 16 1.02x
Gloucestershire 15 1.45x
Devon 12 1.09x
Lancashire 12 0.19x
Somerset 10 1.18x
Glamorgan 6 0.65x
Lanarkshire 5 0.29x
Northumberland 3 0.38x
Sussex 3 0.34x
Leicestershire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gwennap in Cornwall leads with 34 Joses recorded in 1881 and an index of 301.15x.

Place Total Index
Gwennap 34 301.15x
Kenwyn 24 153.35x
Falmouth 23 108.54x
Landewednack 22 2075.47x
Truro St Mary 21 417.50x
Constantine 15 431.03x
Tywardreath 15 390.63x
Budock 13 288.89x
Lesnewth 13 6190.48x
Gulval 12 311.69x
Illogan 12 75.71x
St Agnes 12 143.20x
Godalming 11 67.82x
Madron Penzance 11 50.53x
St Juliot 11 2682.93x
Barrow In Furness 10 11.72x
Redruth 10 59.07x
Islington London 9 1.76x
Phillack 9 116.43x
Whitby 9 50.96x
Bromley London 8 6.88x
Tudhoe 8 58.14x
Breage 7 128.21x
Clifton 7 13.35x
Mullion 7 636.36x
Northowram 7 19.05x
St Clement 7 112.00x
St Just In Penwith 7 60.29x
Kea 6 134.53x
Perranzabuloe 6 116.28x
St Allen 6 566.04x
St Gluvias Penryn 6 125.00x
St Levan 6 555.56x
Bodmin 5 50.51x
Bothwell 5 10.78x
Bristol St George 5 10.43x
Camberwell 5 1.48x
Hornsey 5 7.48x
Hunstonworth 5 549.45x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 5.90x
St Cleer 5 96.34x
Abbots Leigh 4 606.06x
Churchill 4 294.12x
Clapham 4 6.05x
Ladock 4 235.29x
Paddington London 4 2.06x
St Erth 4 110.19x
St Marylebone London 4 1.42x
St Neot 4 169.49x
Battle 3 49.83x
Calstock 3 25.55x
Cardiff St Mary 3 5.92x
Elswick 3 4.78x
Fulham London 3 3.91x
Gwinear 3 105.63x
Helston 3 48.23x
Lambeth 3 0.65x
Mile End Old Town London 3 2.67x
Swansea Town 3 3.97x
Towednack 3 256.41x
Blisland 2 198.02x
Brixham 2 15.69x
Exeter Allhallows On The 2 111.11x
Gunwalloe 2 606.06x
Kyo 2 27.03x
Lanteglos By Fowey 2 81.97x
Lynton 2 90.91x
Marazion 2 277.78x
Mawnan 2 212.77x
Perranarworthal 2 100.00x
St Blazey 2 38.02x
St Gluvias 2 59.70x
St Pancras London 2 0.47x
Tintagel 2 122.70x
Crowan 1 21.10x
Leicester St Margaret 1 0.70x
Plymouth Charles The 1 2.06x
St Breward 1 75.76x
St Dominick 1 66.67x
Westbury On Trym 1 2.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 42
Mary 34
Jane 18
Eliza 11
Annie 9
Ellen 9
Susan 9
Bessie 8
Emily 8
Emma 8
Sarah 8
Ann 7
Edith 7
Louisa 6
Catherine 5
Clara 4
Caroline 3
Grace 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Charlotte 2
Elizth. 2
Eth. 2
Ethel 2
Fanny 2
Harriet 2
Janie 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Margaret 2
Minnie 2
Nanny 2
Nellie 2
Susannah 2
Anna 1
Charity 1
Elise 1
Elizth.Jane 1
Evelyn 1
Honor 1
Isabella 1
Janey 1
Jemima 1
Johannah 1
Katey 1
Katie 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 41
William 40
Thomas 20
James 18
Henry 13
Richard 13
Charles 8
Francis 8
Joseph 8
George 6
Alfred 5
Edward 5
Arthur 4
Edwin 4
Harry 4
Samuel 4
Stephen 4
Benjamin 3
Ernest 3
Jonathan 3
Philip 3
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Jeremiah 2
Robert 2
Sidney 2
Willie 2
Albert 1
Almond 1
Anthony 1
Boulden 1
Christopher 1
Claremont 1
Digory 1
Ebenezar 1
Edgar 1
Fedrick 1
Giles 1
Jas. 1
Jasper 1
Josh. 1
Lionel 1
Owen 1
Percy 1
Ralph 1
Reginald 1
Richd. 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Jose surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jose surname in 1881?

In 1881, 542 people were recorded with the Jose surname. That placed it at #6,362 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jose surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,415 in 2016. That gives Jose a modern rank of #2,727.

What does the Jose surname mean?

A Spanish and Portuguese patronymic surname meaning "son of José," a variant of Joseph.

What does the Jose map show?

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