NameCensus.

UK surname

Qiu

A Chinese surname derived from a word meaning "hill" or "mound," referring to a person's place of origin.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newcastle upon Tyne, Cambridge and Laurieston and Tradeston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Qiu is 133 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

133

2016, ranked #25,765

Peak year

2016

133 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 133 in 2016, ranked #25,765.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Student Living and Professional Footholds.

Qiu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Qiu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Qiu 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 6 #37,704
1998 modern 8 #37,334
1999 modern 11 #36,917
2000 modern 13 #36,635
2001 modern 15 #36,265
2002 modern 20 #35,894
2003 modern 29 #35,129
2004 modern 39 #34,477
2005 modern 52 #33,619
2006 modern 72 #32,059
2007 modern 77 #31,856
2008 modern 84 #31,370
2009 modern 80 #32,277
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 105 #29,287
2012 modern 99 #30,442
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 123 #27,206
2015 modern 129 #26,226
2016 modern 133 #25,765

Geography

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Where Qius 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 Newcastle upon Tyne, Cambridge, Laurieston and Tradeston, Bexley and Islington. 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 Newcastle upon Tyne 022 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 Cambridge 011 Cambridge
3 Laurieston and Tradeston Glasgow City
4 Bexley 008 Bexley
5 Islington 023 Islington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Qiu

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Qiu, 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

Student Living and Professional Footholds

Nationally, the Qiu surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Student Living and Professional Footholds, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Qiu household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

The Group includes many students, some of whom reside in communal residences. Single-person households are the most prevalent and the modal age band is 25 to 44. There are few families with dependent children. A significant number of White residents were born in EU countries (although UK-born residents are more common than in the rest of the Group), and households reflect a diversity of ethnic groups. Residential turnover is exceptionally high and, communal properties aside, flats are the norm. Some properties, including those in the private rental sector, are over-crowded. Many residents are professionals and technicians educated to degree level, and the Group is particularly common near the campuses of established university towns and cities.

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, Qiu 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

Qiu 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

Qiu 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 Qiu 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 Qiu, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Qiu

The surname Qiu originated in China, with the earliest known records dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is believed to be derived from the Chinese character "邱," which means "mound" or "hill." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to people who lived in hilly or mountainous regions.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the name Qiu appeared in various local records and genealogies. One notable example is the "Qiu Shi," a genealogical record compiled by the Qiu family from Zhejiang province. This document traces the family's lineage back to the Tang Dynasty and provides insights into their history and achievements.

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the Qiu surname gained prominence with several notable figures. Qiu Jun (1420-1495), a renowned scholar and author, wrote extensively on Confucian philosophy and served as an advisor to the imperial court. Another prominent individual was Qiu Fengjia (1492-1552), a renowned painter and calligrapher whose works are preserved in various museums and collections.

The Qianlong Emperor (1711-1799) of the Qing Dynasty had a close relationship with the Qiu family. Several members served as high-ranking officials and advisors in his court. One such figure was Qiu Bao (1737-1799), who held the position of Grand Secretary and was known for his literary talents.

In more recent history, Qiu Qingquan (1897-1983) was a prominent military leader and politician who played a significant role in the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People's Republic of China. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the People's Liberation Army and later held various political positions.

Another notable individual was Qiu Xiaolong (1953-), a renowned author and poet. His works, including the Inspector Chen series of crime novels, have received critical acclaim and have been translated into numerous languages, introducing Chinese culture and literature to a global audience.

While the surname Qiu is predominantly found in China, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. Individuals with this surname can be found in various countries, carrying on the rich cultural heritage and history associated with this ancient Chinese name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Qiu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Qiu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 133 in 2016. That gives Qiu a modern rank of #25,765.

What does the Qiu surname mean?

A Chinese surname derived from a word meaning "hill" or "mound," referring to a person's place of origin.

What does the Qiu map show?

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