NameCensus.

UK surname

Semedo

A Portuguese surname derived from the plant "semente" meaning seed or grain.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Camden and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Semedo is 161 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

161

2016, ranked #22,606

Peak year

2016

161 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016, ranked #22,606.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Semedo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Semedo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Semedo 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 12 #36,785
1998 modern 18 #36,135
1999 modern 20 #35,923
2000 modern 23 #35,588
2001 modern 23 #35,451
2002 modern 20 #35,894
2003 modern 28 #35,200
2004 modern 42 #34,222
2005 modern 51 #33,701
2006 modern 69 #32,343
2007 modern 91 #30,061
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 116 #27,704
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 132 #25,289
2013 modern 139 #24,912
2014 modern 145 #24,395
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 161 #22,606

Geography

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Where Semedos 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 Brent, Camden, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Chichester and Greenwich. 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 Brent 022 Brent
2 Camden 022 Camden
3 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 007 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4 Chichester 004 Chichester
5 Greenwich 028 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Semedo

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Semedo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Semedo 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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, Semedo 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

Semedo 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

Semedo 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 Semedo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Semedo

The surname Semedo originated in Portugal, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to be derived from the Portuguese word "semear," which means "to sow" or "to plant," suggesting that the name may have originally referred to a person whose occupation was related to agriculture or farming.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Semedo surname can be found in the records of the Portuguese Inquisition, where a man named Diogo Semedo was mentioned in the late 16th century. This suggests that the name was already well-established in Portugal by that time.

In the 17th century, a Jesuit missionary named Álvaro Semedo (1585-1658) gained recognition for his travels to China and his writings about the country. His work, "The Empire of China," published in 1642, provided valuable insights into Chinese culture and society during that period.

Another notable figure with the Semedo surname was João Semedo (1633-1708), a Portuguese military officer and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Portuguese India from 1697 to 1701. His tenure was marked by efforts to strengthen Portuguese defenses against Dutch and Maratha threats in the region.

In the 18th century, Manuel Semedo (1720-1792) was a prominent Portuguese architect who designed several notable buildings in Lisbon, including the Church of São Luís dos Franceses and the Palace of the Marquis of Pombal.

Jumping forward to the 19th century, José Semedo (1830-1888) was a Brazilian poet and journalist who played a significant role in the Romantic literary movement in Brazil. His works, including "Horas Solitárias" and "Poesias," explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition.

While the surname Semedo has its roots in Portugal, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and the Portuguese diaspora. However, its historical origins and earliest recorded instances can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula, where it emerged as a surname related to agricultural occupations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Semedo surname: questions and answers

How common is the Semedo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016. That gives Semedo a modern rank of #22,606.

What does the Semedo surname mean?

A Portuguese surname derived from the plant "semente" meaning seed or grain.

What does the Semedo map show?

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