NameCensus.

UK surname

So

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese surname Su, meaning "to revive" or "to resurrect."

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the So surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 553, ranked #9,240, up from #32,581 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for So is 553 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6812.5%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

553

2016, ranked #9,240

Peak year

2016

553 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • So had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 553 in 2016, ranked #9,240.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

So surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

So surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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So 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
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1997 modern 291 #13,792
1998 modern 315 #13,452
1999 modern 344 #12,776
2000 modern 352 #12,510
2001 modern 345 #12,504
2002 modern 384 #11,794
2003 modern 379 #11,714
2004 modern 382 #11,672
2005 modern 377 #11,714
2006 modern 394 #11,383
2007 modern 422 #10,904
2008 modern 432 #10,792
2009 modern 432 #11,048
2010 modern 495 #10,127
2011 modern 482 #10,228
2012 modern 512 #9,693
2013 modern 530 #9,609
2014 modern 533 #9,627
2015 modern 540 #9,465
2016 modern 553 #9,240

Geography

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Where Sos 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, Huntingdonshire, Camden, Coventry and Oxford. 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 021 Newcastle upon Tyne
2 Huntingdonshire 003 Huntingdonshire
3 Camden 028 Camden
4 Coventry 042 Coventry
5 Oxford 006 Oxford

Forenames

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First names often paired with So

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

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, So is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

So 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

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

Meaning and origin of So

The surname "So" is believed to have originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is derived from the Chinese word "su" which means "plain" or "simple". The name likely originated in the Jiangsu province of eastern China, where the family name was first recorded.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname "So" can be found in the Book of Tang, a historical record of the Tang Dynasty. The book mentions a prominent scholar and official named So Xingzhi who lived during the 8th century AD.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the surname "So" gained popularity among the scholarly class. Several notable figures with this surname emerged, including So Shunqing (1008-1048), a renowned poet and calligrapher.

In the 13th century, a branch of the So family migrated to the Guangdong province of southern China. This led to the emergence of various regional variations of the name, such as "Sou" and "Sow".

One of the most famous individuals with the surname "So" was So Kee-hung (1826-1861), a prominent Hong Kong merchant and philanthropist. He was instrumental in establishing several educational institutions in the region.

Another notable figure was So Ging-faat (1908-1994), a prominent Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder of the So Ging-faat Memorial Fund, which supports various educational and charitable initiatives.

In the 20th century, the surname "So" gained international recognition through individuals like So Sau-chung (1932-2022), a renowned Hong Kong actor and filmmaker. He starred in numerous Cantonese films and television series throughout his career.

It's worth noting that the surname "So" is not exclusively Chinese. There are also instances of the name in other parts of the world, such as Korea and Japan, where it may have different origins and meanings.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

So surname: questions and answers

How common was the So surname in 1881?

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

How common is the So surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 553 in 2016. That gives So a modern rank of #9,240.

What does the So surname mean?

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese surname Su, meaning "to revive" or "to resurrect."

What does the So map show?

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