NameCensus.

UK surname

Vassallo

An occupational surname of Italian origin referring to a vassal or feudal tenant under a lord or king.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Vassallo surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 479, ranked #10,308, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newport, Tendring and Havant.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vassallo is 484 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23850.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

479

2016, ranked #10,308

Peak year

2014

484 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vassallo had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 479 in 2016, ranked #10,308.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Vassallo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vassallo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vassallo 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 2 #33,721
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 390 #11,215
1998 modern 393 #11,495
1999 modern 408 #11,288
2000 modern 413 #11,142
2001 modern 410 #11,016
2002 modern 427 #10,900
2003 modern 422 #10,825
2004 modern 422 #10,838
2005 modern 411 #10,956
2006 modern 410 #11,015
2007 modern 420 #10,943
2008 modern 426 #10,911
2009 modern 450 #10,669
2010 modern 467 #10,570
2011 modern 451 #10,766
2012 modern 468 #10,366
2013 modern 482 #10,298
2014 modern 484 #10,338
2015 modern 481 #10,296
2016 modern 479 #10,308

Geography

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Where Vassallos 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 Newport, Tendring, Havant and Kingston upon Thames. 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 Newport 015 Newport
2 Tendring 006 Tendring
3 Havant 006 Havant
4 Newport 008 Newport
5 Kingston upon Thames 015 Kingston upon Thames

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vassallo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Vassallo

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Vassallo is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Vassallo 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

Vassallo 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 Vassallo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Vassallo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Vassallo

The surname Vassallo originated in Italy, specifically in the regions of Sicily and Calabria, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Latin word "vassallus," which means "vassal" or "feudal tenant." This name was likely given to individuals who held land or property under a lord or nobleman.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Vassallo can be traced back to the 12th century in Sicily. One notable example is the Vassallo family from the town of Modica, who were prominent landowners and nobles during the medieval era. Their coat of arms, which featured a lion rampant, is still visible on various buildings and monuments in the region.

In the 13th century, the name Vassallo appeared in several historical records, including the Angevin registers, which documented landholdings and fiefdoms in southern Italy during the reign of the Angevin dynasty. One notable individual from this period was Guglielmo Vassallo, a knight and landowner who fought in the Sicilian Vespers revolt against the French in 1282.

Over the centuries, the surname Vassallo spread to other parts of Italy and even beyond. In the 15th century, a branch of the family settled in Malta, where the name became prominent among the local nobility and ruling class. One of the most famous Maltese individuals with this surname was Vincenzo Vassallo (1629-1696), a renowned architect and military engineer who designed several fortifications and buildings on the island.

In the 17th century, a Vassallo family from Sicily emigrated to Spain, where they established themselves in the region of Andalusia. One notable member of this branch was Ignacio Vassallo y Candela (1686-1762), a renowned painter and sculptor who worked in the Baroque style.

Another notable individual with the surname Vassallo was Gabriele Vassallo (1828-1909), an Italian politician and journalist who played a significant role in the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification and independence from foreign rule. He served as a deputy in the Italian parliament and was a prominent advocate for the rights of the Sicilian people.

Throughout history, the surname Vassallo has been associated with nobility, landowners, and influential figures in various fields, including architecture, art, politics, and military service. While the name has its roots in medieval Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world, reflecting the migration patterns and historical connections of the Vassallo families.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vassallo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vassallo 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. Glamorgan leads with 1 Vassallos recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.65x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 1 19.65x
Middlesex 1 3.42x
Royal Navy 1 285.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cardiff St Mary in Glamorgan leads with 1 Vassallos recorded in 1881 and an index of 357.14x.

Place Total Index
Cardiff St Mary 1 357.14x
Royal Navy 1 333.33x
St George In East 1 500.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Bartolomeo 1
Francisco 1
Michael 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 Vassallo households.

Occupation Count
Mate 1
Seaman 1
Shipt 1

FAQ

Vassallo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vassallo surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Vassallo surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vassallo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 479 in 2016. That gives Vassallo a modern rank of #10,308.

What does the Vassallo surname mean?

An occupational surname of Italian origin referring to a vassal or feudal tenant under a lord or king.

What does the Vassallo map show?

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