NameCensus.

UK surname

Mi

An Italian surname derived from the word "mio," meaning "mine."

In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Mi surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 101, ranked #30,929, up from #31,761 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich and Brighton and Hove.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mi is 101 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 676.9%.

1881 census count

13

Ranked #31,761

Modern count

101

2016, ranked #30,929

Peak year

2016

101 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mi had 13 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,761 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016, ranked #30,929.
  • 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.

Mi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mi 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 2 #33,133
1881 historical 13 #31,761
1997 modern 5 #37,891
1998 modern 7 #37,533
1999 modern 9 #37,217
2000 modern 3 #38,248
2001 modern 4 #37,862
2002 modern 5 #37,723
2003 modern 3 #38,198
2004 modern 4 #38,013
2005 modern 4 #38,078
2006 modern 8 #37,481
2007 modern 9 #37,435
2008 modern 11 #37,270
2009 modern 14 #37,041
2010 modern 23 #36,400
2011 modern 21 #36,502
2012 modern 46 #35,053
2013 modern 50 #34,891
2014 modern 63 #34,212
2015 modern 74 #33,487
2016 modern 101 #30,929

Geography

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Where Mis 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 Greenwich and Brighton and Hove. 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 Greenwich 021 Greenwich
2 Brighton and Hove 020 Brighton and Hove

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mi

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

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Mi is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mi 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

Mi falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mi 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Mi

The surname "Mi" is of Chinese origin and can be traced back to ancient times. It is a single-syllable Chinese surname that is believed to have originated from the state of Chu during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC). The name was initially written using Chinese characters that were pronounced as "Mi".

In ancient Chinese records, the name "Mi" can be found in various historical texts and documents. For instance, it is mentioned in the Shiji, a monumental historical account of ancient China written by Sima Qian in the 1st century BC. The Shiji contains references to several individuals with the surname "Mi" who played significant roles in various historical events.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name "Mi" is found in the Bamboo Annals, a ancient Chinese chronicle dating back to the 3rd century BC. The Bamboo Annals mention a person named Mi Xiu, who lived during the Warring States period (475-221 BC) and was a renowned strategist and military advisor.

Throughout Chinese history, the surname "Mi" has been associated with various notable figures. For example, Mi Fu (1051-1107) was a renowned calligrapher and painter during the Song Dynasty. Another prominent individual was Mi Zhi (1629-1700), a scholar-official and philosopher during the Qing Dynasty.

Another famous bearer of the surname was Mi Baozhen (1598-1664), a general and military leader who played a crucial role in the Ming-Qing transition period. He was known for his loyalty to the Ming Dynasty and his resistance against the Manchu invaders.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the name "Mi" was also associated with the Mi family, a prominent aristocratic clan that produced several high-ranking officials and scholars. One notable member of this family was Mi Heng (173-198 AD), a renowned philosopher and writer who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

While the surname "Mi" has its roots in ancient China, it has also been adopted by various ethnic minority groups within China, such as the Tujia and Miao people. Over time, the name has spread to other parts of Asia and can be found in countries like Vietnam and Korea, sometimes with slight variations in spelling or pronunciation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mi 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. Derbyshire leads with 1 Mis recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.23x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 1 66.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mickleover in Derbyshire leads with 1 Mis recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Mickleover 1 0.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
A. 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 Mi households.

Occupation Count
Wife Of A Currier 1

FAQ

Mi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mi surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Mi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016. That gives Mi a modern rank of #30,929.

What does the Mi surname mean?

An Italian surname derived from the word "mio," meaning "mine."

What does the Mi map show?

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