NameCensus.

UK surname

Louw

A Dutch surname derived from the Germanic word "Lau" meaning "grove" or "small wood."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Louw is 253 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

247

2016, ranked #16,955

Peak year

2010

253 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 247 in 2016, ranked #16,955.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Louw surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Louw surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Louw 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
1997 modern 49 #32,776
1998 modern 57 #32,226
1999 modern 71 #31,036
2000 modern 88 #29,284
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 112 #26,165
2003 modern 132 #23,459
2004 modern 171 #20,079
2005 modern 196 #18,404
2006 modern 199 #18,357
2007 modern 202 #18,359
2008 modern 208 #18,171
2009 modern 214 #18,220
2010 modern 253 #16,652
2011 modern 233 #17,426
2012 modern 225 #17,733
2013 modern 237 #17,423
2014 modern 239 #17,429
2015 modern 239 #17,322
2016 modern 247 #16,955

Geography

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Where Louws 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 Waltham Forest, Wandsworth and Hambleton. 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 Waltham Forest 024 Waltham Forest
2 Waltham Forest 025 Waltham Forest
3 Wandsworth 014 Wandsworth
4 Hambleton 002 Hambleton
5 Wandsworth 020 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Louw

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Louw

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Louw is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Louw 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

Louw falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Louw 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Louw

The surname Louw originated in the Netherlands and Flanders region during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old Dutch word "louw," which means "little" or "small." This surname may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone of short stature or a younger child.

One of the earliest records of the Louw surname can be found in the Holland region of the Netherlands in the 13th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as Louwe, Lauwe, and Lowe, reflecting regional variations and changes in language over time.

The Louw surname is also associated with several place names in the Netherlands, such as Louwsrecht and Louwsmeer. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname Louw who resided in or were associated with those locations.

In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Jan Louw (c. 1420-1489) was a Dutch politician and diplomat who served as the ambassador to England for the Duchy of Burgundy. He played a significant role in negotiating treaties between the two nations.

Another notable individual with the Louw surname was Adriaan Louw (1588-1661), a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his landscapes and genre scenes. His works are housed in various museums across Europe, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

During the 17th century, Nicolaes Louw (1618-1677) was a Dutch Golden Age artist renowned for his still-life paintings, particularly those depicting fruit and flowers. His works are highly regarded for their intricate detail and vibrant colors.

In the 18th century, Hendrik Louw (1717-1788) was a Dutch linguist and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of the Afrikaans language. He is considered one of the founders of Afrikaans linguistics and played a crucial role in standardizing the language.

Another prominent figure with the Louw surname is Jozua Louw (1865-1950), a South African poet and writer who is regarded as one of the pioneers of Afrikaans literature. His works, such as "Raka" and "Sangrama," explored the lives and experiences of the Afrikaner people.

The Louw surname has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been associated with notable individuals in various fields, including politics, art, linguistics, and literature. Its origins can be traced back to the Netherlands and Flanders region, where it was likely used as a descriptive nickname before evolving into a hereditary surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Louw surname: questions and answers

How common is the Louw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 247 in 2016. That gives Louw a modern rank of #16,955.

What does the Louw surname mean?

A Dutch surname derived from the Germanic word "Lau" meaning "grove" or "small wood."

What does the Louw map show?

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