UK surname

Vu

A Vietnamese surname derived from the Chinese surname Wu, meaning "dancing" or "enlightenment."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vu is 583 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

583

2016, ranked #8,899

Peak year

2016

583 bearers

Map years

1998 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 583 in 2016, ranked #8,899.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Map

Vu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Vu 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	166	#19,797
1998	modern	168	#20,181
1999	modern	190	#18,797
2000	modern	206	#17,880
2001	modern	218	#17,017
2002	modern	262	#15,327
2003	modern	301	#13,785
2004	modern	324	#13,197
2005	modern	345	#12,496
2006	modern	365	#12,076
2007	modern	404	#11,290
2008	modern	423	#10,975
2009	modern	415	#11,386
2010	modern	464	#10,633
2011	modern	468	#10,460
2012	modern	485	#10,089
2013	modern	530	#9,609
2014	modern	560	#9,258
2015	modern	573	#9,028
2016	modern	583	#8,899

Geography

Where Vus 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 and Hackney. 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 002	Lewisham
2	Lewisham 039	Lewisham
3	Hackney 022	Hackney
4	Lewisham 001	Lewisham
5	Hackney 024	Hackney

Forenames

First names often paired with Vu

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Thi Anh Thuy Linh Ngoc Le Maria Mai Kim Hang

Recent male names

Van Thanh Tuan Hung Hong Quang Viet Duc Hoang Long

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Vu

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

Vu 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Vu 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Vu is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: Asian - Other

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Vu

The surname Vu has its origins in Vietnam, dating back to the 10th century during the Ly Dynasty. It is derived from the Vietnamese word "vu," which means "martial arts" or "fighting skills." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have been renowned warriors or martial artists.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Vu surname can be found in the "Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu," a historical text that chronicles the history of Vietnam from the 3rd to the 17th century. This work mentions a prominent general named Vu Van Nhan, who served under the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century and played a crucial role in defending the kingdom against foreign invaders.

In the 13th century, during the Tran Dynasty, another notable figure with the Vu surname emerged – Vu Thi Hieu, a renowned poet and scholar. Her collection of poetry, known as "Hieu Tap," is considered a literary masterpiece of the time and is still studied by scholars today.

The Vu surname was also associated with several place names in Vietnam, such as Vu Ninh, a district in the province of Quang Binh, and Vu Bang, a commune in the city of Hai Phong. These place names may have been derived from the Vietnamese word "vu," which could also mean "battlefield" or "place of combat."

One of the most famous bearers of the Vu surname was Vu Dinh Lien, a celebrated composer and musician who lived in the 18th century. He is credited with creating the "Ca Tru," a traditional form of Vietnamese chamber music that combines poetry, singing, and instrumental music. His compositions and contributions to Vietnamese music have been widely recognized and celebrated.

Another notable figure with the Vu surname was Vu Trong Phung, a renowned writer and social critic who lived in the early 20th century. His works, such as "Dumb Luck" and "Grief of War," provided insightful commentary on the social and political conditions of Vietnam during the colonial era.

Vu Ngoc Nha, a prominent Vietnamese painter and calligrapher, was also a notable bearer of this surname. He was born in 1912 and is celebrated for his contributions to the development of modern Vietnamese art and his efforts in preserving traditional calligraphic techniques.

Throughout history, the Vu surname has been associated with various fields, including martial arts, literature, music, and visual arts, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam and the diverse talents of those who bore this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Vu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Vu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 583 in 2016. That gives Vu a modern rank of #8,899.

What does the Vu surname mean?