NameCensus.

UK surname

Barros

A Portuguese and Spanish topographic surname referring to clay, mud, or marshland.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Barros surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 557, ranked #9,196, up from #33,498 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barros is 557 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18466.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

557

2016, ranked #9,196

Peak year

2016

557 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barros had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 557 in 2016, ranked #9,196.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 27 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Barros surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barros surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barros 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 26 #30,677
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 27 #32,115
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1911 historical 11 #32,463
1997 modern 164 #19,944
1998 modern 175 #19,658
1999 modern 192 #18,689
2000 modern 192 #18,683
2001 modern 196 #18,146
2002 modern 225 #16,994
2003 modern 225 #16,808
2004 modern 239 #16,193
2005 modern 270 #14,822
2006 modern 300 #13,911
2007 modern 327 #13,229
2008 modern 343 #12,899
2009 modern 407 #11,556
2010 modern 470 #10,524
2011 modern 446 #10,863
2012 modern 475 #10,232
2013 modern 516 #9,783
2014 modern 555 #9,316
2015 modern 548 #9,338
2016 modern 557 #9,196

Geography

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Where Barros' 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, Brent, Hounslow and Lambeth. 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 003 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Brent 034 Brent
3 Hounslow 011 Hounslow
4 Hounslow 014 Hounslow
5 Lambeth 007 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barros

These lists show first names that appear often with the Barros 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 Barros

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

Barros 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

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

Meaning and origin of Barros

The surname Barros is of Portuguese origin, with its roots tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the word "barro," which means "clay" or "mud" in Portuguese. This surname was likely initially given to individuals who lived near clay or muddy areas, or perhaps worked with clay or pottery.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Barros can be found in the "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), a 14th-century Portuguese manuscript that chronicles the noble families of the region. This document mentions several individuals with the surname Barros, suggesting that the name was already established by that time.

The Barros surname is also associated with the town of Barros, located in the northern Portuguese region of Trás-os-Montes. It is possible that some individuals adopted the surname as a reference to their place of origin or residency in this area.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the Barros surname. João de Barros (1496-1570) was a renowned Portuguese historian and writer, famous for his work "Décadas da Ásia" (Decades of Asia), which chronicled the Portuguese explorations and conquests in Asia.

Another prominent figure was Manoel de Barros (1904-1982), a Brazilian poet and writer known for his unique literary style and his exploration of the relationship between language and nature. His works, such as "Poesias Completas" (Complete Poetry), earned him widespread acclaim and numerous literary awards.

In the 16th century, Álvaro de Barros (1496-1562) was a Portuguese explorer and navigator who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on his famous circumnavigation of the globe. Barros played a crucial role in this historic voyage, serving as the fleet's pilot and cartographer.

Diego de Barros (1485-1541), a Spanish conquistador and soldier, was another notable figure who participated in the Spanish conquest of the Americas. He served under Hernán Cortés and played a significant role in the conquest of Mexico.

The Barros surname can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Brazil and Spain, likely due to Portuguese and Spanish migration and colonization efforts. However, its origins can be traced back to the early Portuguese roots mentioned above.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barros families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barros 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. Surrey leads with 3 Barros' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.08x.

County Total Index
Surrey 3 21.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bermondsey in Surrey leads with 3 Barros' recorded in 1881 and an index of 344.83x.

Place Total Index
Bermondsey 3 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Clara 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 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 Barros households.

FAQ

Barros surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barros surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Barros surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 557 in 2016. That gives Barros a modern rank of #9,196.

What does the Barros surname mean?

A Portuguese and Spanish topographic surname referring to clay, mud, or marshland.

What does the Barros map show?

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