NameCensus.

UK surname

Amara

An Italian surname meaning "bitter" from the Latin "amarus".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Hackney and Bolton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Amara is 140 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

138

2016, ranked #25,127

Peak year

2014

140 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016, ranked #25,127.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Amara surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Amara surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Amara 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
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 54 #32,210
1998 modern 53 #32,633
1999 modern 54 #32,660
2000 modern 53 #32,805
2001 modern 52 #32,764
2002 modern 68 #31,626
2003 modern 78 #30,654
2004 modern 78 #30,919
2005 modern 87 #29,966
2006 modern 94 #29,264
2007 modern 91 #30,061
2008 modern 106 #28,016
2009 modern 125 #25,823
2010 modern 136 #25,009
2011 modern 124 #26,367
2012 modern 125 #26,298
2013 modern 131 #25,932
2014 modern 140 #24,977
2015 modern 134 #25,607
2016 modern 138 #25,127

Geography

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Where Amaras 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 Birmingham, Hackney, Bolton, Haringey and Brent. 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 Birmingham 136 Birmingham
2 Hackney 010 Hackney
3 Bolton 013 Bolton
4 Haringey 037 Haringey
5 Brent 014 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Amara

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Amara

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Amara surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Amara 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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, Amara 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

Amara 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

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

Meaning and origin of Amara

The surname Amara has its origins in Italy, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "amarus," which means bitter or sharp. The name may have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for someone with a sharp or bitter personality or perhaps someone who lived near a place where bitter herbs or plants grew abundantly.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Amara can be traced back to historical records from the 13th century in regions such as Tuscany and Umbria. In some cases, the name was spelled as "Amaro" or "Amari," reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling conventions of the time.

Amara is also believed to have connections to certain place names, particularly in Italy. For example, the town of Amaro in the province of Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, may have influenced the use of the surname in that region. Additionally, some historical records mention individuals with the surname Amara hailing from towns like Amaroni in Calabria or Amare in Campania.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Amara was Giovanni Amara, a merchant and landowner from Siena, who lived in the late 13th century. Another notable figure was Bartolomeo Amara, a Florentine scholar and author who wrote extensively on philosophy and theology in the 15th century (1415-1489).

In the 16th century, the Amara family gained prominence in the city of Naples, where they were involved in various industries, including textile manufacturing and trade. A prominent member of this family was Antonio Amara (1520-1592), a successful merchant and banker who played a significant role in the economic affairs of Naples during his time.

During the Renaissance period, the name Amara was also associated with the arts. Giulio Amara (1555-1630) was a renowned painter from Genoa, known for his religious works and portraiture. His paintings can be found in several churches and galleries across Italy.

In the 18th century, Giuseppe Amara (1712-1778) was a celebrated architect from Palermo, Sicily, who designed numerous churches, palaces, and public buildings in the Baroque style, leaving a lasting mark on the city's architectural landscape.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who carried the surname Amara throughout history, highlighting the name's deep roots and widespread presence across various regions of Italy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Amara surname: questions and answers

How common is the Amara surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 138 in 2016. That gives Amara a modern rank of #25,127.

What does the Amara surname mean?

An Italian surname meaning "bitter" from the Latin "amarus".

What does the Amara map show?

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