NameCensus.

UK surname

Lobo

A Spanish surname meaning "wolf," often referring to a person with wolf-like qualities or from a place associated with wolves.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swindon, Wandsworth and Bexley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lobo is 868 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

868

2016, ranked #6,467

Peak year

2016

868 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 868 in 2016, ranked #6,467.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Lobo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lobo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Lobo 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 598 #8,162
1998 modern 631 #8,095
1999 modern 645 #8,007
2000 modern 651 #7,929
2001 modern 635 #7,916
2002 modern 655 #7,896
2003 modern 635 #7,970
2004 modern 647 #7,867
2005 modern 676 #7,548
2006 modern 706 #7,301
2007 modern 713 #7,328
2008 modern 727 #7,274
2009 modern 766 #7,125
2010 modern 810 #6,949
2011 modern 785 #7,060
2012 modern 795 #6,864
2013 modern 832 #6,737
2014 modern 825 #6,808
2015 modern 847 #6,631
2016 modern 868 #6,467

Geography

Back to top

Where Lobos 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 Swindon, Wandsworth, Bexley, Hillingdon and Hounslow. 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 Swindon 015 Swindon
2 Wandsworth 035 Wandsworth
3 Bexley 018 Bexley
4 Hillingdon 017 Hillingdon
5 Hounslow 017 Hounslow

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Lobo

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Lobo

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lobo, 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 Lobo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Lobo 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, Lobo 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

Lobo 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

Lobo 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 Lobo 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Lobo

The surname "LOBO" has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in Portugal and Spain, where it emerged during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Latin word "lupus," which means "wolf." It's believed that the surname was initially bestowed upon individuals who lived in areas inhabited by wolves or those who possessed wolf-like characteristics, such as strength and ferocity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the "Livro Velhos de Linhagens" (The Old Book of Lineages), a 14th-century Portuguese genealogical record. This manuscript mentions several individuals bearing the name Lobo, including Álvaro Gonçalves Lobo, a prominent nobleman who lived in the 13th century.

The surname Lobo also appears in the "Libro de las Behetrías" (Book of Behetrías), a 14th-century Castilian document that recorded land ownership and distribution in the Kingdom of Castile. This document lists various individuals with the surname Lobo, indicating its presence in medieval Spain.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname Lobo. One of the most renowned was Francisco Rodrigues Lobo (1580-1622), a Portuguese poet and playwright renowned for his pastoral works, such as "O Condestabre" (The Constable) and "Corte na Aldeia" (Court in the Village).

Another individual of note was Pedro Lobo (1798-1853), a Portuguese naval officer and explorer who led several expeditions to the Antarctic region. His voyages contributed significantly to the exploration and mapping of the Antarctic coastline.

In Spain, one of the most famous individuals with the surname Lobo was Eugenio Gerardo Lobo (1679-1750), a renowned Baroque poet and satirist. His works, such as "El Filis" and "La Boda de Buitrago," are considered literary masterpieces of the Spanish Golden Age.

Rodrigo Lobo Laso de la Vega (1555-1627) was a Spanish writer and philosopher who authored several works on moral philosophy, including "Filosofía Antigua Poética" (Ancient Poetic Philosophy) and "Corte en Aldea" (Court in the Village).

The surname Lobo has also been associated with various place names throughout the Iberian Peninsula, such as Lobo (a municipality in Portugal), Lobos (a municipality in Spain), and Lobón (a town in Spain), further reinforcing its historical roots in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Lobo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lobo 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. Royal Navy leads with 3 Lobos recorded in 1881 and an index of 857.14x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 3 857.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Royal Navy in Royal Navy leads with 3 Lobos recorded in 1881 and an index of 1000.00x.

Place Total Index
Royal Navy 3 1000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Jeremiah 1
Joseph 1
Vincent 1

FAQ

Lobo surname: questions and answers

How common is the Lobo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 868 in 2016. That gives Lobo a modern rank of #6,467.

What does the Lobo surname mean?

A Spanish surname meaning "wolf," often referring to a person with wolf-like qualities or from a place associated with wolves.

What does the Lobo map show?

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