NameCensus.

UK surname

Bala

A South Indian surname referring to strength, power, or a spear.

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Bala surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 761, ranked #7,203, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Sandwell and Blackburn with Darwen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bala is 761 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18925.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

761

2016, ranked #7,203

Peak year

2016

761 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bala had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 761 in 2016, ranked #7,203.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 29 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Bala surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bala surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bala 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 6 #32,278
1861 historical 29 #30,287
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 8 #33,550
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 214 #16,893
1998 modern 228 #16,706
1999 modern 235 #16,458
2000 modern 240 #16,186
2001 modern 231 #16,365
2002 modern 261 #15,369
2003 modern 265 #15,025
2004 modern 300 #13,871
2005 modern 336 #12,767
2006 modern 411 #10,998
2007 modern 441 #10,513
2008 modern 482 #9,913
2009 modern 505 #9,774
2010 modern 573 #9,073
2011 modern 591 #8,793
2012 modern 647 #8,103
2013 modern 685 #7,877
2014 modern 727 #7,558
2015 modern 726 #7,518
2016 modern 761 #7,203

Geography

Back to top

Where Balas 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, Sandwell, Blackburn with Darwen, Ealing and Kirklees. 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 039 Birmingham
2 Sandwell 028 Sandwell
3 Blackburn with Darwen 004 Blackburn with Darwen
4 Ealing 026 Ealing
5 Kirklees 013 Kirklees

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bala

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bala

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Bala surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Bala household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Bala is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bala 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bala

The surname BALA is of Indian origin, with roots that can be traced back to the 7th century CE. It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the areas now known as Punjab and Haryana.

The name BALA is derived from the Sanskrit word "bala," which means "strength" or "power." It was likely used as a descriptive name for individuals who possessed physical prowess or were known for their bravery and valor in battle.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname BALA can be found in the Bakhshali Manuscript, an ancient Indian mathematical treatise dating back to the 7th century CE. The manuscript mentions a scholar named Bala, who is believed to have contributed to the work.

In the 12th century, a prominent figure named Bala Raya emerged as a powerful ruler in the Deccan region of southern India. He ruled over the Yadava dynasty and was known for his military conquests and patronage of art and literature.

During the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, a renowned poet and scholar named Bala Sundar Tiwari gained recognition for his literary works. He was born in Varanasi in 1530 and is celebrated for his contributions to Hindi literature.

Another notable individual with the surname BALA was Bala Pritam Singh, a Sikh warrior who fought against the British during the Anglo-Sikh Wars in the 19th century. He was born in 1802 and is remembered for his bravery and sacrifices in defending the Sikh Empire.

In the 20th century, Bala Saheb Deoras emerged as a prominent figure in the Hindu nationalist movement in India. He served as the third Sarsanghchalak (Supreme Leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from 1973 to 1994 and played a significant role in shaping the organization's ideology and activities.

While the surname BALA has its roots in India, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. The name has been found in various spellings and variations, such as Balla, Bala, and Balla, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural influences it has encountered over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bala families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bala 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 4 Balas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.29x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 10.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 4 Balas recorded in 1881 and an index of 185.19x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 4 185.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 1
Elizabeth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 2

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 Bala households.

FAQ

Bala surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bala surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Bala surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bala surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 761 in 2016. That gives Bala a modern rank of #7,203.

What does the Bala surname mean?

A South Indian surname referring to strength, power, or a spear.

What does the Bala map show?

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