NameCensus.

UK surname

Lu

A Chinese surname meaning "deer" or referring to the ancient state of Lu in present-day Shandong province.

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Lu surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 956, ranked #6,006, up from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cambridge, Islington and Southwark.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lu is 956 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7253.8%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

956

2016, ranked #6,006

Peak year

2016

956 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lu had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 956 in 2016, ranked #6,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lu 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 7 #32,070
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1997 modern 200 #17,618
1998 modern 236 #16,304
1999 modern 255 #15,599
2000 modern 262 #15,272
2001 modern 272 #14,654
2002 modern 329 #13,167
2003 modern 394 #11,384
2004 modern 411 #11,053
2005 modern 474 #9,826
2006 modern 503 #9,451
2007 modern 564 #8,730
2008 modern 599 #8,428
2009 modern 638 #8,186
2010 modern 762 #7,301
2011 modern 710 #7,615
2012 modern 794 #6,874
2013 modern 873 #6,501
2014 modern 897 #6,389
2015 modern 927 #6,194
2016 modern 956 #6,006

Geography

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Where Lus 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 Cambridge, Islington and Southwark. 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 Cambridge 005 Cambridge
2 Islington 011 Islington
3 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
4 Southwark 016 Southwark
5 Southwark 022 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lu

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Lu is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Lu 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

Lu 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 Lu 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 - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Lu

The surname "Lu" originates from China and has a long and rich history dating back thousands of years. It is derived from the Chinese character "Lu," which means "deer" or "stag." This name was likely originally given to individuals who lived in areas with a significant deer population or those who worked as hunters or foresters.

The earliest known recorded instances of the surname "Lu" can be found in ancient Chinese genealogical records and historical texts from the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC). During this time period, surnames were relatively rare, and the name "Lu" was often associated with aristocratic or noble families.

Throughout the centuries, the surname "Lu" has been carried by numerous notable individuals, including Lu Bu (c. 155–198 AD), a famous military general and warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Another prominent figure was Lu You (1125–1210 AD), a celebrated poet and essayist during the Southern Song Dynasty.

In the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), the name "Lu" appeared in various official records and manuscripts, such as the "Jiu Tangshu" (Old Book of Tang), which documented the history and events of the dynasty. During this period, the surname was also associated with several prominent literary figures and scholars.

The name "Lu" has also been linked to various place names throughout China's history. For example, the city of Luzhou in Sichuan Province was originally known as "Lu County" during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). Similarly, the county of Lushui in Yunnan Province derives its name from the Chinese characters "Lu" and "shui" (water), indicating a connection to the surname and its potential origins.

Other notable individuals bearing the surname "Lu" include Lu Xun (1881–1936), a pioneering modern Chinese writer and literary critic; Lu Zhi (1496–1576), a renowned philosopher and Neo-Confucian scholar during the Ming Dynasty; and Lu Zhengxiang (1871–1949), a prominent military leader and statesman during the early 20th century.

While the surname "Lu" has evolved and spread throughout various regions of China over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to ancient times, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage and the significance of surnames in Chinese society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lu families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lu 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. Surrey leads with 3 Lus recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.85x.

County Total Index
Surrey 3 15.85x
Lancashire 1 2.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 3 Lus recorded in 1881 and an index of 88.50x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 3 88.50x
Withington 1 666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Clara 1
Mary 1
Maud 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 1

FAQ

Lu surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lu surname in 1881?

In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Lu surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 956 in 2016. That gives Lu a modern rank of #6,006.

What does the Lu surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "deer" or referring to the ancient state of Lu in present-day Shandong province.

What does the Lu map show?

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