NameCensus.

UK surname

Russo

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Russo surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,219, ranked #4,882, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bedford, Peterborough and Broxbourne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Russo is 1,232 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60850.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

1,219

2016, ranked #4,882

Peak year

2014

1,232 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Russo had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,219 in 2016, ranked #4,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 61 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Russo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Russo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Russo 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 2 #33,721
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 20 #31,803
1911 historical 61 #26,724
1997 modern 739 #6,960
1998 modern 788 #6,838
1999 modern 815 #6,693
2000 modern 847 #6,476
2001 modern 815 #6,549
2002 modern 886 #6,255
2003 modern 864 #6,266
2004 modern 887 #6,165
2005 modern 906 #5,998
2006 modern 944 #5,826
2007 modern 1,012 #5,548
2008 modern 1,037 #5,479
2009 modern 1,053 #5,537
2010 modern 1,120 #5,354
2011 modern 1,080 #5,457
2012 modern 1,140 #5,126
2013 modern 1,195 #4,999
2014 modern 1,232 #4,902
2015 modern 1,214 #4,918
2016 modern 1,219 #4,882

Geography

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Where Russos 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 Bedford, Peterborough, Broxbourne and Westminster. 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 Bedford 011 Bedford
2 Peterborough 017 Peterborough
3 Broxbourne 004 Broxbourne
4 Peterborough 019 Peterborough
5 Westminster 023 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Russo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Russo

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

Russo 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

Russo falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Russo 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Russo

The surname Russo has its origins in Italy, specifically in the southern regions of the country. It emerged during the medieval period, likely between the 11th and 13th centuries. The name is derived from the Latin word "russus," which means "red" or "reddish-brown," and was likely used to describe someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Russo can be found in a manuscript from the 13th century, which mentions a person named Giovanni Russo residing in the city of Naples. Another early reference to the name appears in a land registry from the 14th century in the town of Amalfi, where several families with the surname Russo are listed as landowners.

The name Russo is also closely associated with certain place names in Italy, such as Russo di Puglia, a town in the Apulia region, and Russo di Basilicata, a town in the Basilicata region. These place names likely originated from families bearing the Russo surname who settled in those areas.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Russo. One of the earliest was Giovanni Russo, a renowned philosopher and theologian who lived in the late 13th century and taught at the University of Naples. Another notable figure was Niccolò Russo, a 15th-century scholar and humanist who played a significant role in the Italian Renaissance.

In the realm of art, the name Russo is associated with the painter Giuseppe Russo (1516-1592), known for his religious works and frescoes adorning numerous churches in Naples and the surrounding regions. Francesco Russo (1663-1735) was a prominent architect who designed several churches and palaces in Naples during the Baroque period.

Moving to more recent times, a famous bearer of the surname was the Italian-American actor and filmmaker Gianni Russo (born 1943), best known for his role in the classic film "The Godfather." Another notable figure was the Italian politician and statesman Francesco Russo (1908-1994), who served as the President of the Italian Senate from 1983 to 1987.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Russo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Russo 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. Hampshire leads with 1 Russos recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.32x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 1 25.32x
Lanarkshire 1 16.03x

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 1 Russos recorded in 1881 and an index of 90.09x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 1 90.09x
Northwood 1 1666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Celesta 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 Russo households.

Occupation Count
Dressmaker 1

FAQ

Russo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Russo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Russo surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Russo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,219 in 2016. That gives Russo a modern rank of #4,882.

What does the Russo surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

What does the Russo map show?

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