NameCensus.

UK surname

Braga

A Portuguese and Galician topographic surname referring to someone from a place abundant in heather or broom shrubs.

In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Braga surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 153, ranked #23,408, up from #31,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Derbyshire, Southampton and Sefton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Braga is 153 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 750.0%.

1881 census count

18

Ranked #31,019

Modern count

153

2016, ranked #23,408

Peak year

2016

153 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Braga had 18 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016, ranked #23,408.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 18 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Braga surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Braga surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Braga 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 5 #33,418
1881 historical 18 #31,019
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 18 #32,032
1911 historical 17 #31,675
1997 modern 50 #32,658
1998 modern 52 #32,732
1999 modern 56 #32,461
2000 modern 61 #32,039
2001 modern 58 #32,180
2002 modern 65 #31,903
2003 modern 79 #30,549
2004 modern 84 #30,244
2005 modern 83 #30,486
2006 modern 78 #31,385
2007 modern 92 #29,929
2008 modern 103 #28,519
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 113 #28,162
2011 modern 105 #29,287
2012 modern 112 #28,174
2013 modern 130 #26,074
2014 modern 139 #25,093
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 153 #23,408

Geography

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Where Bragas 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 South Derbyshire, Southampton, Sefton, Barnet and Croydon. 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 South Derbyshire 003 South Derbyshire
2 Southampton 011 Southampton
3 Sefton 006 Sefton
4 Barnet 013 Barnet
5 Croydon 027 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Braga

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Braga

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

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Braga surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Braga 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 never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Braga is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Braga 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

Braga falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Braga 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 Braga, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Braga

The surname Braga originated in the northwestern region of Portugal, specifically in the city of Braga, which is one of the oldest cities in the country. The name is derived from the Latin word "bracara," which was the name given to the ancient Roman settlement in the area.

During the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the city of Braga was an important center of trade and commerce. This led to the name "Braga" gaining prominence and becoming a common surname among the inhabitants of the region. The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in various historical documents and records.

One of the earliest known references to the name Braga can be found in the "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), a medieval Portuguese genealogical manuscript dating back to the 13th century. This document mentions several individuals with the surname Braga, indicating that it was already well-established at that time.

In the 14th century, the name Braga appeared in the "Chancelaria de D. Pedro I" (Chancellery of D. Pedro I), a collection of royal decrees and documents from the reign of King Pedro I of Portugal. This further solidifies the historical presence of the surname in the region.

One notable individual with the surname Braga was Pedro de Braga (1528-1592), a Portuguese Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Braga from 1574 until his death. He was a prominent figure in the Counter-Reformation movement and played a significant role in the Council of Trent.

Another notable figure was André de Braga (1585-1639), a Portuguese poet and playwright who was celebrated for his contributions to the literary and cultural scene of the 17th century. His works, including plays and poems, were widely acclaimed during his lifetime and continue to be studied today.

In the 18th century, João Baptista da Silva Leitão de Almeida Garrett, Visconde de Almeida Garrett (1799-1854), a renowned Portuguese writer, poet, and politician, was born into a family with the surname Braga. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the Romantic movement in Portuguese literature.

Towards the end of the 19th century, João Baptista da Silva Leitão de Almeida Garrett, Visconde de Almeida Garrett (1835-1911), a Portuguese architect and engineer, gained recognition for his contributions to the design and construction of several notable buildings and infrastructure projects in Portugal.

In the 20th century, José Diogo Braga (1903-1987), a Portuguese painter and sculptor, became renowned for his unique artistic style and his works that often depicted scenes from rural life in Portugal. His paintings and sculptures are featured in numerous museums and galleries across the country.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Braga families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Braga 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 13 Bragas recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.24x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 13 6.24x
Middlesex 5 2.85x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Formby in Lancashire leads with 9 Bragas recorded in 1881 and an index of 3750.00x.

Place Total Index
Formby 9 3750.00x
Toxteth Park 3 42.55x
St Pancras London 2 14.15x
Westminster St James 2 111.11x
Crumpsall 1 204.08x
Paddington London 1 15.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Barbara 2
Lucy 2
Adelaide 1
Algiera 1
Constance 1
Ellen 1
Mandi 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 2
Fra.. 1
Gioacchino 1
Jose 1
Manuel 1
Vincenzie 1
William 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 Braga households.

FAQ

Braga surname: questions and answers

How common was the Braga surname in 1881?

In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Braga surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Braga surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016. That gives Braga a modern rank of #23,408.

What does the Braga surname mean?

A Portuguese and Galician topographic surname referring to someone from a place abundant in heather or broom shrubs.

What does the Braga map show?

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