NameCensus.

UK surname

Barbosa

A Portuguese and Spanish surname referring to someone with a beard or descendant of someone with a beard.

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Barbosa surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 651, ranked #8,175, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Bournemouth and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barbosa is 651 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16175.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

651

2016, ranked #8,175

Peak year

2016

651 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barbosa had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 651 in 2016, ranked #8,175.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Barbosa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barbosa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barbosa 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
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 9 #33,154
1911 historical 11 #32,463
1997 modern 104 #26,351
1998 modern 130 #23,603
1999 modern 138 #22,983
2000 modern 133 #23,462
2001 modern 128 #23,665
2002 modern 161 #20,925
2003 modern 181 #19,277
2004 modern 206 #17,883
2005 modern 265 #15,048
2006 modern 317 #13,376
2007 modern 337 #12,950
2008 modern 377 #12,014
2009 modern 416 #11,364
2010 modern 465 #10,618
2011 modern 466 #10,495
2012 modern 521 #9,589
2013 modern 547 #9,375
2014 modern 593 #8,884
2015 modern 621 #8,492
2016 modern 651 #8,175

Geography

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Where Barbosas 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Bournemouth, Peterborough 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 Kensington and Chelsea 012 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Bournemouth 019 Bournemouth
3 Kensington and Chelsea 004 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Peterborough 014 Peterborough
5 Brent 022 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barbosa

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barbosa

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

Barbosa 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

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

Meaning and origin of Barbosa

The surname Barbosa has its origins in Portugal, where it first emerged during the medieval period. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. In this case, Barbosa is likely a reference to the town of Barbosa, located in the northern Portuguese district of Braga.

The name Barbosa is believed to have evolved from the Latin word "barbosus," which means "bearded." This suggests that the town of Barbosa may have been named after an early resident or landowner who had a prominent beard. Alternatively, the name could be a reference to the vegetation or landscape of the area, perhaps indicating a place with abundant shrubbery or thick undergrowth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Barbosa can be found in the "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), a Portuguese genealogical record dating back to the 13th century. This document mentions several individuals with the surname Barbosa, indicating that the name was already well-established in Portugal by this time.

Throughout history, there have been numerous notable individuals bearing the surname Barbosa. One of the most famous was Ângelo de Barbosa (1592-1649), a Portuguese Jesuit priest and missionary who traveled to India and played a significant role in the early Christian missionary efforts in the region.

Another prominent figure was Duarte Barbosa (c. 1480-1521), a Portuguese writer and explorer who authored one of the earliest accounts of the Portuguese exploration of the East Indies. His work, "Livro em que dá relação do que viu e ouviu no Oriente" (Book in which the relation of what he saw and heard in the Orient is given), provided valuable insights into the cultures and civilizations of Asia during the early 16th century.

In the realm of literature, João Barbosa Rodrigues (1842-1909) was a notable Brazilian botanist and writer who made significant contributions to the study of Brazilian flora. His works, including "Sertum Palmarum Brasiliensium" (Collection of Brazilian Palms), are considered seminal texts in the field of botany.

The surname Barbosa has also been associated with notable figures in the arts. One example is João Barbosa Machado (1737-1809), a Portuguese painter and engraver who is renowned for his religious paintings and portraits.

Finally, in the field of sports, Rui Barbosa (1949-2003) was a prominent Portuguese footballer who played as a forward for several clubs, including Benfica and Sporting CP, and represented the Portuguese national team in the 1966 and 1970 FIFA World Cups.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barbosa families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barbosa 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. Lancashire leads with 4 Barbosas recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.67x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 4 8.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 4 Barbosas recorded in 1881 and an index of 142.86x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 4 142.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ellen 1
Irane 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Anthony 1
Lewis 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 Barbosa households.

Occupation Count
Merchant 1
Sailors Wife 1

FAQ

Barbosa surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barbosa surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Barbosa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 651 in 2016. That gives Barbosa a modern rank of #8,175.

What does the Barbosa surname mean?

A Portuguese and Spanish surname referring to someone with a beard or descendant of someone with a beard.

What does the Barbosa map show?

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