NameCensus.

UK surname

Pai

A Chinese surname meaning "humble" or "respectful," or referring to someone from Pai County in Shanxi Province, China.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Pai surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 228, ranked #17,936, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hounslow, Reading and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pai is 228 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22700.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

228

2016, ranked #17,936

Peak year

2016

228 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pai had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 228 in 2016, ranked #17,936.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Pai surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pai surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pai 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1997 modern 57 #31,917
1998 modern 67 #31,282
1999 modern 64 #31,692
2000 modern 69 #31,273
2001 modern 71 #30,907
2002 modern 72 #31,269
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 107 #26,899
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 142 #22,724
2007 modern 149 #22,318
2008 modern 163 #21,238
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 192 #19,960
2011 modern 194 #19,662
2012 modern 214 #18,358
2013 modern 217 #18,493
2014 modern 227 #18,029
2015 modern 219 #18,406
2016 modern 228 #17,936

Geography

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Where Pais 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 Hounslow, Reading, Leeds, North Somerset and Bromley. 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 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
2 Reading 011 Reading
3 Leeds 063 Leeds
4 North Somerset 018 North Somerset
5 Bromley 031 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pai

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

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Pai is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pai 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

Pai falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Pai 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Pai

The surname Pai is believed to have originated in China, tracing its roots back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is thought to be derived from the Chinese word "pai," which means a flat piece of wood, a board, or a plank. This may suggest that the name could have initially been associated with occupations related to woodworking or carpentry.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the Pai surname was particularly prevalent in the coastal regions of Guangdong and Fujian provinces. Historical records from this era, such as local gazetteers, mention Pai as a common surname in these areas. One of the earliest documented individuals with this name was Pai Shu (1246-1313 AD), a renowned scholar and poet from Fujian.

In the 17th century, the Pai surname appears to have spread to other parts of China, including Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. This may have been due to migration patterns or the establishment of new settlements during this time period. One notable figure from this era was Pai Xingsheng (1633-1690 AD), a prominent Confucian scholar and philosopher from Jiangxi.

As the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD) unfolded, the Pai surname continued to be well-represented among the educated elite and literary circles. For instance, Pai Zhongge (1786-1851 AD) was a respected poet and calligrapher from Guangdong, while Pai Yuerui (1828-1898 AD) was a renowned scholar and author from Hunan.

Beyond China, the Pai surname has also been documented in other parts of Asia, such as Taiwan and Singapore, likely due to migration patterns in more recent centuries. One prominent figure with this name was Pai Hsien-yung (1937-2023 AD), a Taiwanese writer and literary critic who gained international recognition for his works exploring Chinese culture and identity.

It's worth noting that variations in spelling and pronunciation of the Pai surname may exist across different regions and dialects, such as Bai or Pei. Additionally, there may have been historical instances of the surname being associated with specific locations or place names, although documented evidence of such connections is limited.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Pai surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pai surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Pai surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 228 in 2016. That gives Pai a modern rank of #17,936.

What does the Pai surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "humble" or "respectful," or referring to someone from Pai County in Shanxi Province, China.

What does the Pai map show?

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