NameCensus.

UK surname

Alla

Originally a feminine variant of the surname Allen, derived from a place name.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Alla surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 106, ranked #29,927, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Trafford, Enfield and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alla is 106 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10500.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

106

2016, ranked #29,927

Peak year

2015

106 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Alla had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016, ranked #29,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Alla surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alla surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alla 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
1851 historical 4 #32,658
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 20 #35,809
1998 modern 21 #35,788
1999 modern 24 #35,514
2000 modern 23 #35,588
2001 modern 22 #35,531
2002 modern 32 #34,790
2003 modern 26 #35,371
2004 modern 32 #35,019
2005 modern 36 #34,894
2006 modern 41 #34,788
2007 modern 45 #34,699
2008 modern 47 #34,699
2009 modern 59 #34,072
2010 modern 72 #33,324
2011 modern 72 #33,323
2012 modern 95 #31,107
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 104 #30,365
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 106 #29,927

Geography

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Where Allas 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 Trafford, Enfield, Brent, Hounslow and Birmingham. 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 Trafford 004 Trafford
2 Enfield 020 Enfield
3 Brent 028 Brent
4 Hounslow 013 Hounslow
5 Birmingham 082 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alla

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alla

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Alla 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

Alla 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

Alla falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Alla 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Alla

The surname Alla has its origins in India, where it first appeared around the 12th century CE. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "alla," meaning "beautiful" or "lovely." The name was initially popular among the Hindu population of the Indian subcontinent.

One of the earliest known references to the name Alla can be found in ancient Hindu texts, where it was used to describe various deities and mythological figures revered for their beauty and grace. Over time, the name gained popularity as a surname among certain communities in India.

Some of the earliest recorded bearers of the Alla surname include Alla Venkataramanayya, a renowned Telugu poet and scholar from the 16th century, and Alla Ramaraju, a prominent military leader who served under the Vijayanagar Empire in the 15th century.

As India's trade and cultural influence expanded, the Alla surname gradually spread to other regions, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In the 17th century, records show the name appearing in various Persian manuscripts and documents, indicating its presence among the trading communities of the time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Alla surname. One such figure was Alla Udal Khan, a celebrated Persian poet and scholar who lived in the 17th century and authored numerous works on literature and philosophy. Another prominent bearer of the name was Alla Valli, an influential Indian classical dancer and choreographer who was instrumental in reviving and popularizing the Kuchipudi dance form in the 20th century (1924-2022).

Other notable individuals with the Alla surname include Alla Ayyangar, a prominent Indian lawyer and jurist from the 19th century, and Alla Nageswara Rao, a renowned Telugu writer and playwright who made significant contributions to the literary landscape of Andhra Pradesh in the early 20th century (1887-1959).

While the Alla surname originated in India, it has since spread globally due to migration and cultural exchange. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in various parts of the world, carrying forth the rich cultural heritage and history associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Alla families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Alla 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. Yorkshire leads with 1 Allas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.47x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 1 10.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kingstonupon Hull in Yorkshire leads with 1 Allas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Kingstonupon Hull 1 10000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Jacob 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 Alla households.

Occupation Count
Able Seaman 1

FAQ

Alla surname: questions and answers

How common was the Alla surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Alla surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Alla surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016. That gives Alla a modern rank of #29,927.

What does the Alla surname mean?

Originally a feminine variant of the surname Allen, derived from a place name.

What does the Alla map show?

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