NameCensus.

UK surname

Bravo

An Italian and Spanish surname referring to a brave or courageous person, or a round of applause.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Bravo surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 361, ranked #12,841, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Westminster and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bravo is 361 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11933.3%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

361

2016, ranked #12,841

Peak year

2016

361 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bravo had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 361 in 2016, ranked #12,841.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 44 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Bravo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bravo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bravo 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 8 #32,887
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 24 #31,365
1911 historical 44 #28,454
1997 modern 150 #21,119
1998 modern 157 #21,058
1999 modern 152 #21,636
2000 modern 158 #21,055
2001 modern 156 #20,974
2002 modern 178 #19,671
2003 modern 182 #19,215
2004 modern 180 #19,424
2005 modern 197 #18,339
2006 modern 216 #17,397
2007 modern 233 #16,752
2008 modern 243 #16,397
2009 modern 271 #15,511
2010 modern 286 #15,231
2011 modern 271 #15,708
2012 modern 298 #14,565
2013 modern 317 #14,186
2014 modern 333 #13,770
2015 modern 340 #13,455
2016 modern 361 #12,841

Geography

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Where Bravos 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 Leeds, Westminster, Cardiff, 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 Leeds 042 Leeds
2 Westminster 013 Westminster
3 Cardiff 045 Cardiff
4 Barnet 041 Barnet
5 Croydon 027 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bravo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bravo

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

Bravo 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bravo

The surname Bravo originated in Spain and Italy. Its origins can be traced back to the Latin word "bravus," which means "brave" or "courageous." This word eventually evolved into the Spanish and Italian words "bravo" and "brava," respectively, which carried similar meanings.

In Spain, the surname Bravo is believed to have first appeared in the region of Castile during the Middle Ages. It was likely given as a descriptive nickname to individuals who displayed acts of bravery or courage, either on the battlefield or in other contexts. The name is also found in various historical records from Spain, such as the Becerro de las Behetrías, a medieval census document from the 14th century.

In Italy, the surname Bravo has its roots in various regions, including Lombardy, Veneto, and Campania. It is thought to have originated as a descriptive nickname similar to its Spanish counterpart, possibly referring to individuals who exhibited bravery or valor. The name is mentioned in several historical documents, including the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of records from the Lombard period in Italy.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Bravo was Juan Bravo, a Spanish nobleman and military leader who played a prominent role in the Comuneros Revolt against Emperor Charles V in the early 16th century. Another notable figure was Giovanni Bravo, an Italian architect and engineer from the 16th century who contributed to the design and construction of several notable buildings in Venice.

In the 17th century, Pedro Bravo de Rivero (1580-1652) was a Spanish soldier and explorer who participated in the conquest of New Mexico and served as the governor of Santa Fe from 1638 to 1642. Francisco Bravo (1592-1676) was a Spanish painter known for his religious works and portraits, active in Madrid during the Baroque period.

In more recent history, Mariano Bravo (1762-1810) was a Mexican military officer and revolutionary who fought alongside Miguel Hidalgo during the early stages of the Mexican War of Independence. Nicolás Bravo (1786-1854) was another Mexican military leader and politician who served as President of Mexico from 1839 to 1842.

The surname Bravo has been carried by numerous individuals throughout history, reflecting its origins as a descriptive name associated with bravery and courage. While its roots lie primarily in Spain and Italy, it has spread to various parts of the world, often through migration and exploration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bravo families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bravo 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 2 Bravos recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.84x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 6.84x
Yorkshire 1 3.45x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westminster St Margaret in Middlesex leads with 2 Bravos recorded in 1881 and an index of 1428.57x.

Place Total Index
Westminster St Margaret 2 1428.57x
Holy Trinity 1 142.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
A.E. 1
Alice 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 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 Bravo households.

FAQ

Bravo surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bravo surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Bravo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 361 in 2016. That gives Bravo a modern rank of #12,841.

What does the Bravo surname mean?

An Italian and Spanish surname referring to a brave or courageous person, or a round of applause.

What does the Bravo map show?

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