To

Origin and Meaning: The surname To is of Chinese origin and derives from the Mandarin character "涂," which means "uncivilised" or "uncultured." It is a common surname among the Chinese diaspora, including those living in Britain.

Distribution and Presence: The surname To is not well-represented in the United Kingdom compared to other surnames of British origin. However, due to global migration patterns, particularly from Hong Kong and mainland China, the surname To has established a small but notable presence in British society.

Variants and Alternate Spellings: The surname To may have various transliterations and spelling variants, depending on the regional dialect and romanization system used. Some common variants include "Tao," "Tau," and "Doh."

Notable Individuals: While not as prevalent in British history as other surnames, a few individuals bearing the surname To have made their mark in various fields. These may include academics, entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals who have contributed to the cultural and social fabric of Britain.

In Popular Culture: Given the diverse origins of the surname To, it may not have received extensive representation in British popular culture. However, with the increasing multicultural landscape of the UK, the visibility and recognition of the surname To and individuals associated with it may grow in the future.

References: Due to its relatively limited presence in Britain, detailed historical or genealogical references specifically focusing on the surname To may be less available. Researchers interested in exploring the lineage and significance of the surname To in British society may consider consulting academic works on Chinese migration and diaspora studies.

There are approximately 1,721 people named To in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,763rd most common surname in Britain. Around 26 in a million people in Britain are named To.

Region of origin: Asia

Country of origin: China

Language of origin: Chinese

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Anthony
  • Chee
  • Christopher
  • Chun
  • David
  • Hing
  • Kwai
  • Michael
  • Ricky
  • Simon
  • Steven
  • Toan
  • Wai
  • William

Female

  • Anna
  • Carmen
  • Catherine
  • Kam
  • Kim
  • Sandra
  • Vi
  • Victoria
  • Wing
  • Ying
  • Yuk

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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