NameCensus.

UK surname

Otto

A surname of German origin, derived from the given name Otto or Audo, meaning "wealth" or "fortune."

In the 1881 census there were 166 people recorded with the Otto surname, ranking it #14,496 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 567, ranked #9,065, up from #14,496 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St George in the East, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kilmaurs, Tower Hamlets and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Otto is 576 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 241.6%.

1881 census count

166

Ranked #14,496

Modern count

567

2016, ranked #9,065

Peak year

2014

576 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Otto had 166 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,496 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 567 in 2016, ranked #9,065.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 306 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Otto surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Otto surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Otto 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 38 #26,502
1861 historical 42 #28,691
1881 historical 166 #14,496
1891 historical 190 #15,486
1901 historical 270 #12,492
1911 historical 306 #11,281
1997 modern 427 #10,476
1998 modern 442 #10,547
1999 modern 473 #10,069
2000 modern 451 #10,412
2001 modern 444 #10,348
2002 modern 488 #9,802
2003 modern 477 #9,815
2004 modern 489 #9,652
2005 modern 498 #9,467
2006 modern 502 #9,463
2007 modern 523 #9,238
2008 modern 545 #9,029
2009 modern 550 #9,169
2010 modern 566 #9,158
2011 modern 549 #9,281
2012 modern 534 #9,391
2013 modern 565 #9,124
2014 modern 576 #9,058
2015 modern 565 #9,108
2016 modern 567 #9,065

Geography

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Where Ottos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St George in the East, London parishes, Gateshead and St Anne Limehouse. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kilmaurs, Tower Hamlets, Gateshead, County Durham and Dover. 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 St George in the East London (East Districts)
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Gateshead Durham
5 St Anne Limehouse London (East Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kilmaurs East Ayrshire
2 Tower Hamlets 001 Tower Hamlets
3 Gateshead 003 Gateshead
4 County Durham 005 County Durham
5 Dover 011 Dover

Forenames

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First names often paired with Otto

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Otto

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

Otto 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

Otto 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 Otto is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
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 Otto, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Otto

The surname OTTO is of Germanic origin and can be traced back to the medieval period in parts of central and northern Europe. It is believed to have derived from the Old German personal name Odo or Odo, which means "wealthy" or "prosperous."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name OTTO can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landowners and estates in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as Odo, Ode, and Otho, indicating its widespread use across different regions.

In the 12th century, the name gained prominence with Otto I, also known as Otto the Great (912-973), who was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor in 962. His reign marked a significant period in the history of the Holy Roman Empire, and his descendants continued to use the name, solidifying its association with nobility and power.

Another notable figure bearing the surname OTTO was the German philosopher and mathematician Otto von Guericke (1602-1686), best known for his pioneering work on vacuum and atmospheric pressure. His experiments with the famous Magdeburg hemispheres demonstrated the power of air pressure and contributed significantly to the field of physics.

In the literary world, Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck (1815-1898), known as the Iron Chancellor, was a prominent German statesman who played a crucial role in the unification of Germany in the 19th century. His political acumen and diplomatic skills earned him a lasting legacy as one of the most influential figures in European history.

The OTTO surname also has a strong association with the arts, with individuals like Otto Dix (1891-1969), a renowned German painter and printmaker known for his brutal depictions of the aftermath of World War I. His works, often classified as part of the New Objectivity movement, provided a stark and unflinching portrayal of the human condition during that era.

Throughout history, the surname OTTO has been associated with various place names and older spellings, such as Ottonville, Ottonia, and Ottenheim, reflecting the geographic spread and evolution of the name across different regions and languages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Otto families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Otto 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. Middlesex leads with 55 Ottos recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 55 3.42x
Surrey 18 2.30x
Yorkshire 17 1.07x
Lancashire 15 0.79x
Suffolk 13 6.63x
Durham 9 1.88x
Essex 9 2.83x
Fife 6 6.30x
Northumberland 5 2.09x
Lanarkshire 4 0.77x
Renfrewshire 4 3.21x
Midlothian 3 1.39x
Berkshire 2 1.66x
Gloucestershire 2 0.63x
Kent 2 0.36x
Huntingdonshire 1 3.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Limehouse London in Middlesex leads with 17 Ottos recorded in 1881 and an index of 96.21x.

Place Total Index
Limehouse London 17 96.21x
Doncaster 10 85.84x
Camberwell 9 8.75x
Ipswich St Margaret 7 105.26x
Penge 7 68.09x
Boldon 6 350.88x
St Andrews 6 138.25x
St George In East 6 54.79x
Bow London 5 24.40x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 16.48x
Ipswich St Clement 5 100.40x
Sheffield 5 9.85x
St Botolph Aldgate 5 227.27x
Wanstead 5 89.93x
Glasgow 4 4.33x
St Luke London 4 15.50x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 3.46x
Hornsey 3 14.74x
Mile End Old Town 3 11.81x
Tynemouth 3 23.40x
West Ham 3 4.28x
Westoe 3 11.05x
Elswick 2 10.47x
Houston Killallan 2 165.29x
Middlesbrough 2 9.63x
Shoreditch London 2 2.87x
South Hinksey 2 377.36x
St Anne Soho London 2 21.76x
St Pancras London 2 1.54x
Wavertree 2 32.73x
West Greenock 2 8.93x
Bristol St Augustine 1 19.65x
Clifton 1 6.27x
Colchester St Giles 1 31.85x
Farnworth 1 8.74x
Hackney London 1 1.11x
Hadleigh 1 52.63x
Harrow On The Hill 1 31.06x
Hutton 1 476.19x
Islington London 1 0.64x
Lambeth 1 0.71x
Lee 1 12.55x
Lewisham 1 3.42x
Liverpool 1 0.86x
Paddington London 1 1.69x
Preston 1 1.96x
Rusholme 1 19.65x
St Marylebone London 1 1.16x
Tottenham 1 3.90x
Toxteth Park 1 1.55x
Walton On Thames 1 27.78x
Warboys 1 108.70x
West Derby 1 1.79x
Withington 1 16.26x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Anna 4
Hannah 4
Mary 4
Emily 3
Louisa 3
Amelia 2
Caroline 2
Elise 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Esther 2
Harriet 2
Maria 2
Sophia 2
Adelaide 1
Agnes 1
Albertina 1
Alice 1
Annie 1
Catherine 1
Cecilia 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elisa 1
Ellen 1
Emmela. 1
Gretrud 1
Harriett 1
Isabella 1
Jane 1
Jenny 1
Johanna 1
Lenatte 1
M. 1
Marie 1
Martha 1
Maude 1
Mena 1
Miriam 1
Rose 1
Sophy 1
Sushannah 1
Vally 1
Wilhelmina 1
Wilhemina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 6
George 5
Henry 5
William 5
James 4
August 3
Edward 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Emil 2
Fredrick 2
Heinrich 2
Louis 2
Adam 1
Adol 1
Adolf 1
Adolph 1
Adolpha 1
Albert 1
Alfd. 1
Alfred 1
Carl 1
Christian 1
Conrad 1
David 1
F.R. 1
Ferdinand 1
Fred. 1
Fred.Wm. 1
Fredk. 1
Fritz 1
Georg 1
Hermann 1
J. 1
Jeter 1
Joseph 1
Kraft 1
Lacche 1
Marks 1
Merlens 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Robert 1
Rudolph 1
Samuel 1
Simon 1
Solomon 1
T. 1
T.R. 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Otto surname: questions and answers

How common was the Otto surname in 1881?

In 1881, 166 people were recorded with the Otto surname. That placed it at #14,496 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Otto surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 567 in 2016. That gives Otto a modern rank of #9,065.

What does the Otto surname mean?

A surname of German origin, derived from the given name Otto or Audo, meaning "wealth" or "fortune."

What does the Otto map show?

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