NameCensus.

UK surname

Acosta

A surname of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the word "costa," meaning "coast" or "seashore."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Cowal South and Kelvingrove and University.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Acosta is 213 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

2016

213 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Acosta surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Acosta surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Acosta 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 49 #32,776
1998 modern 51 #32,816
1999 modern 60 #32,078
2000 modern 71 #31,082
2001 modern 62 #31,798
2002 modern 63 #32,113
2003 modern 62 #32,258
2004 modern 71 #31,578
2005 modern 68 #32,097
2006 modern 74 #31,850
2007 modern 89 #30,383
2008 modern 100 #29,001
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 130 #25,775
2011 modern 143 #24,056
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 195 #19,857
2014 modern 204 #19,439
2015 modern 203 #19,381
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

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Where Acostas 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 Greenwich, Cowal South, Kelvingrove and University, Enfield and Islington. 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 Greenwich 036 Greenwich
2 Cowal South Argyll and Bute
3 Kelvingrove and University Glasgow City
4 Enfield 020 Enfield
5 Islington 015 Islington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Acosta

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Acosta

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

Acosta 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

Acosta falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Acosta 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Acosta

The surname Acosta originated in Spain and is derived from the Spanish word "costa," meaning "coast" or "shore." It is believed to have been an occupational surname given to those who lived near the coast or worked in maritime professions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Acosta can be found in the 14th century in the region of Galicia, Spain. The surname is thought to have first appeared in the city of A Coruña, which was previously known as "La Coruña," meaning "the coast" in Spanish.

In the 15th century, the name Acosta is mentioned in various historical records, such as the Libro de Repartimiento de Seville, which documented the distribution of land and property after the Reconquista. This suggests that individuals bearing the surname were present in the region during this time.

The Acosta family played a significant role in the colonization of the Americas during the 16th century. José de Acosta (1539-1600), a Spanish Jesuit missionary and naturalist, is known for his work "Historia natural y moral de las Indias," which provided detailed accounts of the flora, fauna, and indigenous cultures of the Americas.

Another notable figure with the surname Acosta is Uriel Acosta (1585-1647), a Portuguese-Jewish philosopher and writer who was excommunicated for his beliefs and lived in exile. He is considered an important figure in the history of free thought and religious dissent.

In the 18th century, Manuel Acosta y Lozano (1716-1797) was a Spanish military engineer and cartographer who played a crucial role in mapping the territories of New Spain (Mexico) and contributing to the development of cartography in the Americas.

Juan Bautista Acosta (1828-1905) was a Venezuelan politician and writer who served as the President of Venezuela from 1888 to 1892. He is remembered for his efforts to promote education and infrastructure development in the country.

Another prominent figure with the surname Acosta is the American author and poet Mercedes de Acosta (1893-1968), known for her relationships with prominent figures such as Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, as well as her literary works exploring themes of sexuality and gender identity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Acosta surname: questions and answers

How common is the Acosta surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Acosta a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Acosta surname mean?

A surname of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the word "costa," meaning "coast" or "seashore."

What does the Acosta map show?

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