NameCensus.

UK surname

Toh

A Vietnamese surname that may signify prosperity or high rank.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Toh is 140 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

2016

140 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Student Living and Professional Footholds.

Toh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Toh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Toh 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 71 #30,521
1998 modern 85 #29,439
1999 modern 96 #28,326
2000 modern 86 #29,484
2001 modern 89 #28,932
2002 modern 90 #29,314
2003 modern 80 #30,425
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 84 #30,359
2006 modern 92 #29,576
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 119 #26,067
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 113 #28,162
2011 modern 110 #28,478
2012 modern 121 #26,829
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 131 #26,089
2015 modern 130 #26,093
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

Back to top

Where Tohs 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 Cambridge, Camden, Birmingham, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. 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 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
2 Camden 025 Camden
3 Birmingham 079 Birmingham
4 Bristol 032 Bristol, City of
5 South Gloucestershire 017 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Toh

These lists show first names that appear often with the Toh surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Toh

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

Student Living and Professional Footholds

Nationally, the Toh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Student Living and Professional Footholds, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Toh household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

The Group includes many students, some of whom reside in communal residences. Single-person households are the most prevalent and the modal age band is 25 to 44. There are few families with dependent children. A significant number of White residents were born in EU countries (although UK-born residents are more common than in the rest of the Group), and households reflect a diversity of ethnic groups. Residential turnover is exceptionally high and, communal properties aside, flats are the norm. Some properties, including those in the private rental sector, are over-crowded. Many residents are professionals and technicians educated to degree level, and the Group is particularly common near the campuses of established university towns and cities.

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, Toh 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

Toh 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

Toh falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Toh 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 Toh, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Toh

The surname TOH is believed to have originated in the region of Guangdong, China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is derived from the Chinese word "tou" which means "head" or "leader". The name was likely given to individuals who held positions of authority or leadership within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name TOH can be found in the Guangdong Provincial Records from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). These records mention a village leader named TOH Wen-xian who was responsible for overseeing the construction of a new irrigation system.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the name TOH became more widespread as many families adopted it as a way to honor their ancestors who had held positions of power or influence. One notable figure from this period was TOH Yu-lin (1512-1587), a renowned scholar and calligrapher who served as a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

In the 17th century, the name TOH began to appear in other regions of China as families migrated and settled in new areas. One prominent individual was TOH Xiang (1630-1707), a successful merchant and philanthropist from Fujian Province who established several schools and charitable organizations.

As Chinese immigrants began to settle in other parts of the world, the name TOH spread to various countries. In the 19th century, TOH Kun-sang (1822-1898) was a notable businessman and community leader among the Chinese diaspora in Singapore.

Another significant figure was TOH Wen-ming (1875-1942), a pioneering educator from Guangdong who founded one of the first Chinese schools in San Francisco, California, helping to preserve Chinese culture and language for subsequent generations of Chinese Americans.

Throughout its history, the surname TOH has been associated with leadership, scholarship, and community service. While its origins can be traced back to ancient China, the name has since gained a global presence, reflecting the diverse experiences and achievements of individuals who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Toh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Toh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Toh a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Toh surname mean?

A Vietnamese surname that may signify prosperity or high rank.

What does the Toh map show?

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