NameCensus.

UK surname

Romeo

An Italian surname derived from the Latin name Romaeus, meaning "a pilgrim to Rome" or "a Roman".

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Romeo surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 350, ranked #13,152, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, South Derbyshire and Waveney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Romeo is 350 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4275.0%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

350

2016, ranked #13,152

Peak year

2016

350 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Romeo had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016, ranked #13,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 12 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Romeo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Romeo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Romeo 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1901 historical 12 #32,772
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 166 #19,797
1998 modern 194 #18,451
1999 modern 195 #18,517
2000 modern 200 #18,209
2001 modern 200 #17,948
2002 modern 217 #17,388
2003 modern 215 #17,286
2004 modern 223 #16,965
2005 modern 223 #16,938
2006 modern 235 #16,439
2007 modern 247 #16,042
2008 modern 254 #15,903
2009 modern 266 #15,711
2010 modern 273 #15,764
2011 modern 266 #15,937
2012 modern 296 #14,635
2013 modern 314 #14,273
2014 modern 322 #14,113
2015 modern 340 #13,455
2016 modern 350 #13,152

Geography

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Where Romeos 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 Shropshire, South Derbyshire, Waveney and North Somerset. 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 Shropshire 039 Shropshire
2 South Derbyshire 008 South Derbyshire
3 Waveney 002 Waveney
4 Waveney 004 Waveney
5 North Somerset 023 North Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Romeo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Romeo

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Romeo is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Romeo 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

Romeo 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 Romeo 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Romeo

The surname Romeo originated in Italy during the Renaissance period. It is derived from the Italian word "romeo," which means a pilgrim or traveler to Rome. The name is believed to have originated in the regions of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, where many people undertook pilgrimages to the city of Rome.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in a document from the city of Florence, dated 1382, which mentions a certain "Piero Romeo." The Florentine writer and poet Giovanni Boccaccio also mentioned a character named "Romeo" in his famous work, "The Decameron," written around 1350.

The surname Romeo gained widespread recognition in the 16th century with the publication of William Shakespeare's famous play, "Romeo and Juliet." The protagonist, Romeo Montague, became one of the most iconic literary characters of all time, and the name Romeo became forever associated with tragic love stories.

In the 17th century, the name Romeo appeared in several historical records, such as the registry of births and marriages in the town of Verona, where the play "Romeo and Juliet" is set. One notable bearer of the name was Matteo Romeo, a Venetian merchant and diplomat who lived from 1589 to 1647.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Romeo was found in various parts of Italy, including the regions of Calabria, Sicily, and Campania. Some notable individuals with this surname include the Italian painter and sculptor Vincenzo Romeo (1770-1838) and the Italian composer and conductor Ruggiero Romeo (1851-1919).

In the 20th century, the name Romeo gained international recognition with the rise of the Italian-American community in the United States. One of the most famous bearers of this surname was the American actor and singer Cesar Romero (1907-1994), who was of Italian descent and known for his roles in films and television shows.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Romeo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Romeo 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. Lanarkshire leads with 5 Romeos recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.82x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 5 19.82x
Gloucestershire 2 13.07x
Surrey 1 2.63x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 5 Romeos recorded in 1881 and an index of 111.61x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 5 111.61x
Bristol 2 20000.00x
Caterham 1 588.24x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Domenico 1
Salvatore 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Romeo households.

Occupation Count
Boy 1
Secd Mate 1

FAQ

Romeo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Romeo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Romeo surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Romeo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016. That gives Romeo a modern rank of #13,152.

What does the Romeo surname mean?

An Italian surname derived from the Latin name Romaeus, meaning "a pilgrim to Rome" or "a Roman".

What does the Romeo map show?

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