NameCensus.

UK surname

To

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Tao, meaning "peach" or "pottery kiln."

In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the To surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,207, ranked #4,927, up from #32,243 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewisham, Glenrothes Stenton and Finglassie and Harlow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for To is 1,207 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11970.0%.

1881 census count

10

Ranked #32,243

Modern count

1,207

2016, ranked #4,927

Peak year

2016

1,207 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • To had 10 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,243 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,207 in 2016, ranked #4,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

To surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

To surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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To 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 10 #32,243
1997 modern 721 #7,081
1998 modern 779 #6,905
1999 modern 815 #6,693
2000 modern 862 #6,377
2001 modern 866 #6,245
2002 modern 926 #6,063
2003 modern 946 #5,854
2004 modern 981 #5,682
2005 modern 1,015 #5,482
2006 modern 1,027 #5,440
2007 modern 1,050 #5,391
2008 modern 1,067 #5,346
2009 modern 1,115 #5,259
2010 modern 1,193 #5,070
2011 modern 1,163 #5,123
2012 modern 1,134 #5,154
2013 modern 1,181 #5,062
2014 modern 1,174 #5,115
2015 modern 1,171 #5,079
2016 modern 1,207 #4,927

Geography

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Where Tos 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 Lewisham, Glenrothes Stenton and Finglassie, Harlow, Tower Hamlets and Harrow. 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 Lewisham 001 Lewisham
2 Glenrothes Stenton and Finglassie Fife
3 Harlow 011 Harlow
4 Tower Hamlets 032 Tower Hamlets
5 Harrow 033 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with To

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

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

To 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

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

Meaning and origin of To

The surname "To" has its origins in China, where it first emerged during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The name is derived from the Chinese word "tao," which means "way" or "path." It is thought that the surname was initially given to families living near major roads or trade routes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "To" can be found in the imperial records of the Tang Dynasty, where a scholar named To Yuanming is mentioned as serving in the court of Emperor Xuanzong in the 8th century AD. Another notable figure was To Qian, a famous general who led the imperial forces to victory against rebel armies in the late 9th century.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the surname "To" became more widespread, particularly in the southern regions of China. In the early 12th century, a prominent scholar named To Tuan wrote a highly influential work on Confucian philosophy, which was widely studied by scholars and officials of the time.

The surname "To" can also be traced back to several place names in China, such as Tozhou and Toshan, which were important commercial and administrative centers during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). One of the most famous individuals with this surname was To Hiyen, a celebrated artist and calligrapher who lived in the 16th century and whose works are still highly regarded today.

In the 17th century, a wealthy merchant named To Xingzhi established a trading empire that spanned across Southeast Asia and parts of the Middle East. His successful business ventures contributed to the spread of the surname "To" beyond the borders of China.

Another notable figure with the surname "To" was To Liangqing, a renowned poet and playwright who lived during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD). His works, which explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, continue to be studied and performed to this day.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and notable individuals associated with the surname "To," which has its roots in ancient China and has since spread to various parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

To surname: questions and answers

How common was the To surname in 1881?

In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the To surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the To surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,207 in 2016. That gives To a modern rank of #4,927.

What does the To surname mean?

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Tao, meaning "peach" or "pottery kiln."

What does the To map show?

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