NameCensus.

UK surname

Teoh

An occupational surname meaning surveyor or land tax officer in Chinese dialects.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hounslow, Brent and Camden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Teoh is 220 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

219

2016, ranked #18,422

Peak year

2012

220 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 219 in 2016, ranked #18,422.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Teoh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Teoh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Teoh 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 11 #32,452
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 96 #28,188
1999 modern 110 #26,315
2000 modern 104 #27,150
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 110 #26,412
2003 modern 116 #25,415
2004 modern 120 #25,078
2005 modern 124 #24,529
2006 modern 122 #25,010
2007 modern 152 #22,022
2008 modern 158 #21,690
2009 modern 164 #21,628
2010 modern 184 #20,521
2011 modern 189 #19,997
2012 modern 220 #18,034
2013 modern 212 #18,820
2014 modern 218 #18,583
2015 modern 213 #18,769
2016 modern 219 #18,422

Geography

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Where Teohs 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 Hounslow, Brent, Camden, Enfield and Leeds. 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 Hounslow 001 Hounslow
2 Brent 025 Brent
3 Camden 025 Camden
4 Enfield 007 Enfield
5 Leeds 055 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Teoh

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

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Teoh 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

Teoh 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

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

Meaning and origin of Teoh

The surname TEOH is of Chinese origin, originating from the Cantonese and Hokkien dialects. It is believed to have emerged sometime around the 14th century in the southern regions of China, particularly in the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian.

The name TEOH is derived from the Chinese characters 张 (Zhang) or 张 (Teo), which are common transliterations of the same Chinese surname. These characters carry the meaning of "to extend" or "to spread out," potentially indicating an association with occupations related to agriculture or land cultivation.

One of the earliest known references to the surname TEOH can be found in ancient Chinese genealogical records and local gazetteers from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). These documents often recorded family histories and the migrations of different clans across various regions of China.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many individuals bearing the TEOH surname immigrated to various parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Singapore, seeking economic opportunities and better living conditions. This migration contributed to the establishment of significant TEOH communities in these regions.

Notable individuals with the surname TEOH include:

1. Teoh Beng Hock (1979-2009), a Malaysian political aide whose controversial death sparked nationwide protests and calls for reform in Malaysia. 2. Teoh Chee Onn (1940-2020), a prominent Malaysian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Kinta Textile Group. 3. Teoh Chye Hin (1925-2007), a respected Malaysian politician and former Minister of Home Affairs. 4. Teoh Chye Wah (born 1975), a Malaysian professional golfer who has won several tournaments on the Asian Tour. 5. Teoh Joo Beng (born 1946), a renowned Malaysian architect and urban planner known for his contributions to sustainable design.

It is worth noting that the surname TEOH has also been documented in various historical records and documents across Southeast Asia, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural influences of the Chinese diaspora in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Teoh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Teoh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 219 in 2016. That gives Teoh a modern rank of #18,422.

What does the Teoh surname mean?

An occupational surname meaning surveyor or land tax officer in Chinese dialects.

What does the Teoh map show?

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