NameCensus.

UK surname

Qi

A Chinese surname meaning "enlightened" or "extraordinary," likely referring to a wise or distinguished ancestor.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Croydon and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Qi is 126 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2016

126 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Qi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Qi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Qi 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 11 #36,912
1998 modern 9 #37,189
1999 modern 8 #37,367
2000 modern 6 #37,624
2001 modern 6 #37,456
2002 modern 17 #36,164
2003 modern 20 #35,915
2004 modern 27 #35,444
2005 modern 29 #35,431
2006 modern 34 #35,255
2007 modern 41 #34,974
2008 modern 48 #34,629
2009 modern 46 #34,918
2010 modern 73 #33,249
2011 modern 68 #33,613
2012 modern 92 #31,528
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 115 #28,439
2015 modern 118 #27,833
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Qis 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 Birmingham, Croydon, Hillingdon, Islington and Redbridge. 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 Birmingham 138 Birmingham
2 Croydon 022 Croydon
3 Hillingdon 015 Hillingdon
4 Islington 001 Islington
5 Redbridge 022 Redbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Qi

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

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

Qi 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

Qi 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 Qi 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Qi

The surname Qi has its origins in China, tracing back to the 7th century AD during the Tang Dynasty. It is derived from the Chinese word "qi," which means "breath" or "vital force" in Mandarin, reflecting the ancient Chinese philosophy and concept of life energy or life force that flows through all living things.

The name Qi was initially adopted by families or clans residing in the central and eastern regions of China, particularly in the provinces of Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu. It is believed that some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Qi can be found in local genealogical records and historical documents from these regions.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Qi can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty poet and scholar Qi Biao (687-743 AD), who was renowned for his literary works and contributions to the development of Chinese poetry during the golden age of the Tang era.

Another notable figure bearing the Qi surname was Qi Jiguang (1528-1588), a renowned military strategist and general during the Ming Dynasty. He is celebrated for his successful defense against the Japanese pirates and his innovative military strategies, which were documented in his book "Jixiao Xinshu" (lit. "New Treatise on Military Efficiency").

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the Qi surname gained prominence in the regions of modern-day Zhejiang province, where the city of Qizhou (present-day Huzhou) was established, taking its name from the Qi clan that had settled in the area.

In the 13th century, Qi Yuzhang (1219-1293) was a famous Confucian scholar and statesman who served as a high-ranking official in the Yuan Dynasty. His works on Confucian philosophy and governance principles were widely studied and influential during his time.

Another notable figure was Qi Jiguang (1528-1588), a renowned military strategist and general during the Ming Dynasty, celebrated for his successful defense against Japanese pirates and his innovative military strategies documented in his book "Jixiao Xinshu."

Over the centuries, the Qi surname has spread across China and beyond, with many individuals bearing this name making significant contributions to various fields, including literature, philosophy, politics, and military strategy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Qi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Qi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Qi a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Qi surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "enlightened" or "extraordinary," likely referring to a wise or distinguished ancestor.

What does the Qi map show?

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