NameCensus.

UK surname

Manu

A derived surname from the Ancient Greek word "manus" meaning hand.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Manu surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 414, ranked #11,574, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Manu is 415 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 41300.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

414

2016, ranked #11,574

Peak year

2014

415 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Manu had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 414 in 2016, ranked #11,574.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Manu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Manu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Manu 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 36 #29,463
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 27 #32,115
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 12 #32,302
1997 modern 137 #22,301
1998 modern 157 #21,058
1999 modern 152 #21,636
2000 modern 181 #19,360
2001 modern 172 #19,696
2002 modern 194 #18,651
2003 modern 212 #17,454
2004 modern 244 #15,948
2005 modern 267 #14,954
2006 modern 304 #13,797
2007 modern 330 #13,142
2008 modern 351 #12,661
2009 modern 378 #12,248
2010 modern 409 #11,783
2011 modern 394 #11,997
2012 modern 406 #11,606
2013 modern 409 #11,714
2014 modern 415 #11,688
2015 modern 408 #11,737
2016 modern 414 #11,574

Geography

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Where Manus 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 Bexley, Haringey, Enfield and Greenwich. 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 Bexley 002 Bexley
2 Haringey 012 Haringey
3 Enfield 037 Enfield
4 Greenwich 001 Greenwich
5 Enfield 030 Enfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Manu

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Manu surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Manu 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Manu 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

Manu 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

Manu falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Manu is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Black - African

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

Meaning and origin of Manu

The surname MANU is of Indian origin, deriving from the Sanskrit word 'Manu' which means 'human' or 'man'. The name is believed to have originated in the regions of northern India, particularly in areas such as Punjab and Haryana, where it was commonly used among various Hindu communities.

One of the earliest known references to the name MANU can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures, particularly the Manusmriti, which is a collection of laws and guidelines attributed to the legendary figure of Manu. This text, dating back to around the 2nd century BCE, suggests that the name MANU was associated with wisdom, leadership, and a sense of authority.

The surname MANU gained prominence during the medieval period in India, with several notable individuals bearing the name. One such example is Manu Needhi, a renowned scholar and poet from the 14th century who hailed from the Vijayanagar Empire in southern India. His works, which include treatises on grammar and poetry, are still studied and revered today.

Another historical figure with the surname MANU was Manu Chandra, a influential ruler of the Chola dynasty in the 11th century CE. He was known for his military conquests and for patronizing the arts and literature during his reign.

In more recent times, the name MANU has been associated with several prominent figures in various fields. Manu Bhandari (1932-2005) was an acclaimed Hindi poet and writer, whose works explored themes of social justice and human rights. Manu Gandhi (1938-1986), the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, was a prominent writer and advocate for non-violence and peace.

Manu Iyer (born 1977) is a well-known Indian actor and director, known for his work in both mainstream and independent cinema. Manu Sawhney (born 1946) is a distinguished Indian businessman and former CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

While the surname MANU is predominantly found in India, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its roots can be traced back to the ancient Indian subcontinent, where it has held a significant place in history and culture for centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Manu families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Manu 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 1 Manus recorded in 1881 and an index of 76.92x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 1 76.92x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 1 Manus recorded in 1881 and an index of 294.12x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 1 294.12x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Manu households.

Occupation Count
Errand Girl (Lace Trade) 1

FAQ

Manu surname: questions and answers

How common was the Manu surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Manu surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Manu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 414 in 2016. That gives Manu a modern rank of #11,574.

What does the Manu surname mean?

A derived surname from the Ancient Greek word "manus" meaning hand.

What does the Manu map show?

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