NameCensus.

UK surname

Petrou

A surname derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Petrou is 870 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

847

2016, ranked #6,598

Peak year

2014

870 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 847 in 2016, ranked #6,598.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Petrou surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Petrou surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Petrou 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
1997 modern 672 #7,476
1998 modern 704 #7,445
1999 modern 730 #7,290
2000 modern 723 #7,319
2001 modern 722 #7,182
2002 modern 749 #7,118
2003 modern 754 #6,990
2004 modern 759 #6,963
2005 modern 763 #6,859
2006 modern 760 #6,908
2007 modern 772 #6,895
2008 modern 781 #6,886
2009 modern 798 #6,907
2010 modern 836 #6,779
2011 modern 809 #6,865
2012 modern 821 #6,699
2013 modern 868 #6,531
2014 modern 870 #6,536
2015 modern 846 #6,640
2016 modern 847 #6,598

Geography

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Where Petrous 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 Enfield, Barnet and Haringey. 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 Enfield 035 Enfield
2 Enfield 028 Enfield
3 Enfield 026 Enfield
4 Barnet 003 Barnet
5 Haringey 008 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Petrou

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Petrou

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

Petrou 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

Petrou 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 Petrou is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Petrou

The surname Petrou has its origins in Greece, with records dating back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone." The name likely originated in the mountainous regions of Greece, where rocky terrain was a common feature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Petrou can be found in a manuscript from the Monastery of St. John the Baptist on the island of Patmos, dating back to 1487. The document mentions a certain Ioannis Petrou, a monk residing at the monastery.

In the 16th century, the name appeared in various historical records from the regions of Peloponnese and Central Greece. For example, a certain Georgios Petrou was mentioned in a land registry from the village of Nemea in 1543.

During the Byzantine era, the surname Petrou was sometimes associated with individuals who worked in professions related to stone or masonry. For instance, a document from the city of Thessaloniki in 1612 mentions a stonemason named Theodoulos Petrou.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Petrou was Mikhail Petrou, a Greek scholar and theologian who lived from 1570 to 1644. He was a prominent figure in the Orthodox Church and served as the Archbishop of Crete.

In the 18th century, the name Petrou appeared in historical records from the island of Cyprus. A notable figure from this period was Ioannis Petrou, a merchant and landowner who lived from 1725 to 1798. He was known for his involvement in the trade of Cypriot wines and agricultural products.

Another notable individual with the surname Petrou was Georgios Petrou, a Greek military officer and revolutionary who lived from 1798 to 1866. He played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.

During the 19th century, the surname Petrou was found among Greek communities in various parts of the Ottoman Empire, including Asia Minor and Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). One prominent figure from this period was Konstantinos Petrou, a Greek businessman and philanthropist who lived from 1830 to 1912. He was known for his contributions to education and the establishment of schools in the city of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir).

Another notable bearer of the surname Petrou was Ioannis Petrou, a Greek artist and painter who lived from 1876 to 1966. He was renowned for his depictions of traditional Greek life and landscapes, and his works are displayed in many museums and galleries throughout Greece.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Petrou surname: questions and answers

How common is the Petrou surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 847 in 2016. That gives Petrou a modern rank of #6,598.

What does the Petrou surname mean?

A surname derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone".

What does the Petrou map show?

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