NameCensus.

UK surname

Xue

A Chinese surname meaning "cave" or "hole," which may refer to an ancestor's dwelling place.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, Haringey and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Xue is 259 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

259

2016, ranked #16,393

Peak year

2016

259 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016, ranked #16,393.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Xue surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Xue surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Xue 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 8 #37,372
1998 modern 9 #37,189
1999 modern 11 #36,917
2000 modern 18 #36,104
2001 modern 19 #35,866
2002 modern 27 #35,243
2003 modern 51 #33,266
2004 modern 57 #32,968
2005 modern 71 #31,816
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 88 #30,515
2008 modern 89 #30,713
2009 modern 94 #30,538
2010 modern 132 #25,519
2011 modern 145 #23,837
2012 modern 205 #18,909
2013 modern 213 #18,743
2014 modern 244 #17,189
2015 modern 249 #16,858
2016 modern 259 #16,393

Geography

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Where Xues 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 Lincolnshire, Haringey, Wandsworth, Sandwell and East Dorset. 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 Lincolnshire 020 North Lincolnshire
2 Haringey 011 Haringey
3 Wandsworth 004 Wandsworth
4 Sandwell 018 Sandwell
5 East Dorset 011 East Dorset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Xue

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

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Xue surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Xue 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Xue 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

Xue 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

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

Meaning and origin of Xue

The surname Xue originates from China and has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. It is believed to have its roots in the Chinese word "xue" which means "snow" or "study."

The name was primarily found in the northern regions of China, particularly in the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi. It is thought that the name was initially adopted by families or clans that lived in areas with snowy winters or were associated with scholarly pursuits.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Xue can be found in the historical records of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). During this period, several prominent scholars and officials bore this surname, indicating its association with intellectual and academic pursuits.

In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the surname Xue gained further prominence. The famous scholar and philosopher Xue Xuan (916-992 AD) was a renowned Confucian thinker whose writings and teachings had a significant impact on Neo-Confucianism.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the surname Xue produced several notable figures. Xue Yingqi (1487-1564 AD) was a prominent military strategist and author, known for his contributions to the field of military tactics and strategy.

Another well-known figure was Xue Huayuan (1608-1680 AD), a scholar and writer who was renowned for his literary works and calligraphy. His poems and essays were widely appreciated and studied during his time.

In more recent history, the surname Xue has continued to be associated with scholars and intellectuals. Xue Muqiao (1904-1998 AD) was a renowned historian and educator who made significant contributions to the study of Chinese history and culture.

It is important to note that the spelling and pronunciation of the surname Xue may vary slightly depending on the regional dialects and romanization systems used. However, the core meaning and historical significance remain consistent across different regions of China.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Xue surname: questions and answers

How common is the Xue surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016. That gives Xue a modern rank of #16,393.

What does the Xue surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "cave" or "hole," which may refer to an ancestor's dwelling place.

What does the Xue map show?

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