NameCensus.

UK surname

Volpe

An Italian surname meaning "fox," likely referring to someone cunning or with red hair.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Volpe surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 231, ranked #17,764, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Tyneside, Hammersmith and Fulham and Bedford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Volpe is 231 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 23000.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

231

2016, ranked #17,764

Peak year

2016

231 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Volpe had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016, ranked #17,764.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 14 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Volpe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Volpe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Volpe 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
1851 historical 1 #33,412
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 14 #32,506
1911 historical 12 #32,302
1997 modern 143 #21,761
1998 modern 155 #21,227
1999 modern 164 #20,621
2000 modern 174 #19,829
2001 modern 162 #20,460
2002 modern 178 #19,671
2003 modern 179 #19,416
2004 modern 184 #19,183
2005 modern 179 #19,467
2006 modern 192 #18,753
2007 modern 196 #18,737
2008 modern 207 #18,243
2009 modern 189 #19,727
2010 modern 199 #19,515
2011 modern 200 #19,280
2012 modern 208 #18,720
2013 modern 215 #18,598
2014 modern 221 #18,412
2015 modern 224 #18,117
2016 modern 231 #17,764

Geography

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Where Volpes 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 North Tyneside, Hammersmith and Fulham, Bedford, Hertsmere and Gedling. 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 North Tyneside 016 North Tyneside
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 021 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Bedford 015 Bedford
4 Hertsmere 001 Hertsmere
5 Gedling 014 Gedling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Volpe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Volpe

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Volpe 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

Volpe 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

Volpe falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Volpe

The surname Volpe originated in Italy during the medieval period. It is derived from the Italian word "volpe," which means "fox" in English. This name likely originated as a nickname for someone who was considered to be cunning or sly, akin to the attributes associated with the fox.

The earliest known records of the surname Volpe can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. The name was particularly prevalent in the city of Florence, where it was borne by several notable families.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Volpe appears in the Florentine Codex of 1292, which mentions a certain Gherardo Volpe. This document provides evidence of the name's existence during the late 13th century in the Florentine region.

In the 14th century, the Volpe family gained prominence in the city of Orvieto, located in the province of Terni, Umbria. The family was involved in the city's governance and held influential positions within the local administration.

During the Renaissance period, several individuals with the surname Volpe made significant contributions to the arts and literature. One notable example is the Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Volpe (1530-1598), who was renowned for his religious paintings and frescoes adorning churches in Venice and the surrounding areas.

Another prominent figure was the Italian playwright and poet Girolamo Volpe (1572-1629), who authored numerous comedic plays and satires that were widely popular during his time.

In the 18th century, the Volpe family produced a remarkable scholar and historian, Gioacchino Volpe (1692-1768). Born in Naples, he authored several influential works on the history of Italy and the Kingdom of Naples.

More recently, in the 20th century, the name Volpe was carried by the Italian politician and statesman Giovanni Volpe (1892-1968), who served as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1953 to 1954.

Throughout its long history, the surname Volpe has been associated with various notable individuals across different fields, reflecting its enduring presence in Italian culture and society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Volpe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Volpe 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. Flintshire leads with 1 Volpes recorded in 1881 and an index of 384.62x.

County Total Index
Flintshire 1 384.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Rhuddlan in Flintshire leads with 1 Volpes recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
Rhuddlan 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 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 Volpe households.

Occupation Count
Photographers Wife 1

FAQ

Volpe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Volpe surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Volpe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 231 in 2016. That gives Volpe a modern rank of #17,764.

What does the Volpe surname mean?

An Italian surname meaning "fox," likely referring to someone cunning or with red hair.

What does the Volpe map show?

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