NameCensus.

UK surname

Tai

A Chinese surname meaning "extreme" or "ultimate," or referring to a place name in ancient China.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Tai surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 639, ranked #8,280, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Waltham Forest and Leicester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tai is 639 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 63800.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

639

2016, ranked #8,280

Peak year

2016

639 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tai had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 639 in 2016, ranked #8,280.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Tai surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tai surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tai 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 1 #34,027
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 346 #12,273
1998 modern 380 #11,827
1999 modern 403 #11,382
2000 modern 381 #11,814
2001 modern 382 #11,606
2002 modern 426 #10,918
2003 modern 444 #10,393
2004 modern 459 #10,137
2005 modern 465 #9,958
2006 modern 506 #9,399
2007 modern 531 #9,131
2008 modern 539 #9,098
2009 modern 561 #9,028
2010 modern 604 #8,749
2011 modern 597 #8,723
2012 modern 609 #8,508
2013 modern 621 #8,509
2014 modern 626 #8,520
2015 modern 627 #8,428
2016 modern 639 #8,280

Geography

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Where Tais 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 Kirklees, Waltham Forest and Leicester. 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 Kirklees 024 Kirklees
2 Kirklees 010 Kirklees
3 Waltham Forest 024 Waltham Forest
4 Leicester 017 Leicester
5 Kirklees 013 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tai

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

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Tai surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Tai household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Tai is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Tai 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

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

Meaning and origin of Tai

The surname Tai is believed to have originated from the Chinese language, with its roots dating back to ancient China. This surname is commonly found in regions such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Hong Kong, where it has a long and rich history.

Tai is derived from the Chinese character "泰," which carries meanings such as "peace," "prosperity," and "greatness." It was often used as a symbolic name, reflecting aspirations for a prosperous and harmonious life. The earliest written records of the Tai surname can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), where it appeared in various historical documents and genealogical records.

One notable historical figure with the surname Tai was Tai Zhuang (1368-1462), a renowned Confucian scholar and philosopher during the Ming Dynasty. His works on ethics and moral philosophy had a significant impact on Chinese intellectual thought.

Another prominent individual was Tai Chen (1597-1681), a skilled military strategist and general who played a crucial role in the Ming-Qing transition period. His military prowess and leadership were instrumental in several significant battles.

In the realm of literature, Tai Jingzhi (1629-1705) was a celebrated poet and calligrapher during the Qing Dynasty. His poetic works were widely admired and have been preserved in various anthologies.

The surname Tai also has connections to certain place names in China. For instance, the Tai Lake in Jiangsu Province was once known as "Taihu" or "Great Lake," possibly reflecting an association with the Tai surname.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), a notable figure named Tai Xuan (598-677) served as a high-ranking official and military commander. His achievements in governance and military strategy were documented in historical records from that era.

While the surname Tai has its roots in ancient China, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and beyond, carried by Chinese immigrants and their descendants.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tai families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tai 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Tais recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.19x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 5.19x
Royal Navy 1 434.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Poplar London in Middlesex leads with 1 Tais recorded in 1881 and an index of 277.78x.

Place Total Index
Poplar London 1 277.78x

Top male names

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

Name Count
A. 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 Tai households.

Occupation Count
Fireman 1

FAQ

Tai surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tai surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Tai surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tai surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 639 in 2016. That gives Tai a modern rank of #8,280.

What does the Tai surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "extreme" or "ultimate," or referring to a place name in ancient China.

What does the Tai map show?

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