NameCensus.

UK surname

Alba

A habitational surname referring to someone from Alba, the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland, or a place named Alba.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Alba surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 158, ranked #22,904, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Paisley East, Bingham, Magdalene and The Christians and Paisley North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alba is 162 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5166.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

158

2016, ranked #22,904

Peak year

2014

162 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alba had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016, ranked #22,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 17 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Alba surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alba surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alba 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 7 #33,053
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 11 #32,463
1997 modern 76 #29,997
1998 modern 73 #30,681
1999 modern 89 #29,168
2000 modern 81 #30,036
2001 modern 80 #29,945
2002 modern 77 #30,709
2003 modern 77 #30,762
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 80 #30,842
2006 modern 84 #30,665
2007 modern 95 #29,493
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 103 #29,127
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 129 #25,673
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 145 #24,207
2014 modern 162 #22,624
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 158 #22,904

Geography

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Where Albas 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 Paisley East, Bingham, Magdalene and The Christians, Paisley North, Taunton Deane and Haringey. 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 Paisley East Renfrewshire
2 Bingham, Magdalene and The Christians City of Edinburgh
3 Paisley North Renfrewshire
4 Taunton Deane 009 Taunton Deane
5 Haringey 015 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alba

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alba

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

Alba 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

Alba falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Alba

The surname Alba is of Italian origin, with its roots traceable to the medieval period. Alba is a derivative of the Latin word "albus," which means "white" or "bright." This surname likely originated in the Italian region of Piedmont, where the city of Alba is located.

The name Alba can be found in several ancient records, including the "Codice Diplomatico Longobardo," a collection of legal documents from the Lombard era dating back to the 8th century. Additionally, the name appears in the "Codice Diplomatico della Repubblica di Genova," a compilation of diplomatic records from the Republic of Genoa, which dates back to the 12th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Alba was Giovanni Alba, a Genoese merchant and diplomat who lived in the 13th century. He is mentioned in several trade agreements and diplomatic correspondence between Genoa and other Mediterranean cities.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the name Alba was Guglielmo Alba, a renowned painter from the city of Siena. His works adorned several churches and public buildings in Siena and its surrounding areas.

During the Renaissance period, the Alba family played a significant role in the political and cultural life of Italy. Francesco Alba, born in 1451 and died in 1524, was a prominent humanist scholar and diplomat who served as an ambassador for the Medici family in Florence.

Another notable individual with the surname Alba was Pietro Alba, a 16th-century Italian architect and engineer. He was responsible for the design and construction of several fortifications and public buildings in various cities across Italy.

In the literary realm, Rafaello Alba, born in 1609 and died in 1675, was a celebrated Italian poet and playwright. His works, such as "La Vergine Guerriera" (The Warrior Virgin), were widely acclaimed and performed in theaters throughout Italy.

The surname Alba has also been associated with place names, such as the town of Alba Longa, an ancient Latin settlement located near present-day Rome. Additionally, there are variations of the name, including Albi and Albo, which can be found in different regions of Italy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alba families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alba 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Albas recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.42x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 3.42x
Surrey 1 7.03x
Sussex 1 20.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hove in Sussex leads with 1 Albas recorded in 1881 and an index of 454.55x.

Place Total Index
Hove 1 454.55x
Lambeth 1 39.22x
Twickenham 1 769.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Amelia 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 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 Alba households.

FAQ

Alba surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alba surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Alba surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alba surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016. That gives Alba a modern rank of #22,904.

What does the Alba surname mean?

A habitational surname referring to someone from Alba, the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland, or a place named Alba.

What does the Alba map show?

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