NameCensus.

UK surname

Loi

A toponymic surname derived from a place name containing the element "loi", meaning forest or woods.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Loi surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 336, ranked #13,583, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wolverhampton, Ealing and North Hertfordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Loi is 336 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16700.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

336

2016, ranked #13,583

Peak year

2016

336 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Loi had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 336 in 2016, ranked #13,583.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Loi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Loi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Loi 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
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1997 modern 205 #17,370
1998 modern 215 #17,306
1999 modern 232 #16,594
2000 modern 243 #16,053
2001 modern 235 #16,147
2002 modern 255 #15,599
2003 modern 265 #15,025
2004 modern 270 #14,913
2005 modern 288 #14,189
2006 modern 287 #14,295
2007 modern 286 #14,496
2008 modern 296 #14,275
2009 modern 317 #13,899
2010 modern 315 #14,223
2011 modern 315 #14,131
2012 modern 299 #14,537
2013 modern 306 #14,557
2014 modern 316 #14,301
2015 modern 324 #13,965
2016 modern 336 #13,583

Geography

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Where Lois 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 Wolverhampton, Ealing, North Hertfordshire, Bexley and Hillingdon. 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 Wolverhampton 027 Wolverhampton
2 Ealing 026 Ealing
3 North Hertfordshire 006 North Hertfordshire
4 Bexley 013 Bexley
5 Hillingdon 023 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Loi

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

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Loi is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Loi 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

Loi 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 Loi 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 - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Loi

The surname LOI has its origins in Italy, where it first appeared during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "loi," meaning "their" or "of them," suggesting that the name may have originated as a descriptive term for a person or family.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name LOI can be found in the historic documents of the city of Genoa, dating back to the 13th century. Specifically, a merchant named Giovanni LOI was mentioned in a trade agreement from 1275, indicating that the name was already established in the region at that time.

In the 14th century, the LOI surname gained prominence in the city of Florence, where a notable family of that name resided. One of the most well-known members was Bartolomeo LOI (1328-1397), a respected scholar and philosopher who authored several treatises on logic and metaphysics.

During the Renaissance period, the LOI family continued to play a significant role in Italian society. In the 16th century, a member of the family, Alessandro LOI (1508-1572), was appointed as the ambassador of the Republic of Venice to the Holy Roman Empire, reflecting the family's standing and influence.

The name LOI also found its way into the annals of Italian art history. Girolamo LOI (1625-1701), a celebrated painter from the city of Parma, was renowned for his religious works and frescoes adorning various churches throughout northern Italy.

As the LOI surname spread across Italy, it also took on various regional spellings and variations, such as Loi, Loy, and Loie. These variations can be found in historical records from different parts of the country, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the Italian peninsula.

Over time, the LOI surname has also been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. One notable example is Marcello LOI (1869-1944), an Italian politician and statesman who served as the Minister of Public Works in the early 20th century.

While the surname LOI has maintained a strong presence in Italy throughout its history, it has also been carried by individuals who have migrated to other parts of the world, contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity in their new homes.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Loi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Loi 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. Lancashire leads with 1 Lois recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.74x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1 8.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toxteth Park in Lancashire leads with 1 Lois recorded in 1881 and an index of 256.41x.

Place Total Index
Toxteth Park 1 256.41x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Wing 1

FAQ

Loi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Loi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Loi surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Loi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 336 in 2016. That gives Loi a modern rank of #13,583.

What does the Loi surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from a place name containing the element "loi", meaning forest or woods.

What does the Loi map show?

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