NameCensus.

UK surname

Bura

A surname potentially derived from the Greek word "voura" meaning a small boat or skiff.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Bura surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 161, ranked #22,606, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bura is 161 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16000.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

161

2016, ranked #22,606

Peak year

2016

161 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bura had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016, ranked #22,606.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 20 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Bura surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bura surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bura 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 5 #32,456
1861 historical 20 #31,364
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 53 #32,329
1998 modern 58 #32,138
1999 modern 59 #32,174
2000 modern 50 #33,087
2001 modern 46 #33,311
2002 modern 47 #33,548
2003 modern 49 #33,456
2004 modern 45 #33,957
2005 modern 57 #33,178
2006 modern 64 #32,839
2007 modern 78 #31,748
2008 modern 91 #30,431
2009 modern 97 #30,076
2010 modern 116 #27,704
2011 modern 109 #28,653
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 156 #23,231
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 161 #22,606

Geography

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Where Buras 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 Brent, Ealing and Bromley. 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 Brent 010 Brent
2 Brent 009 Brent
3 Ealing 037 Ealing
4 Brent 013 Brent
5 Bromley 012 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bura

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

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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, Bura 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

Bura 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

Bura falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bura 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
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bura, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bura

The surname "BURA" is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the region of Calabria. It is thought to have derived from the Italian word "bura," which means a strong, cold northeasterly wind that blows across the Adriatic Sea. The name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone who lived in an area where this wind was particularly prevalent or forceful.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a document from the 16th century, where a certain Giovanni Bura was mentioned as a landowner in the town of Reggio Calabria. This suggests that the name had already been established in the region by that time.

In the 17th century, there are records of a family named Bura residing in the city of Naples. One notable member was Antonio Bura (1610-1688), a prominent lawyer and legal scholar who published several influential works on the legal system of the Kingdom of Naples.

During the 18th century, the name appears in various church records and census documents across southern Italy, particularly in the regions of Calabria and Campania. One notable figure from this period was Filippo Bura (1732-1801), a renowned painter from the town of Cosenza, whose works can still be found in several churches and museums in the area.

In the 19th century, the name gained some recognition outside of Italy as well. For example, there is a record of a French nobleman named Charles-Émile Bura (1822-1895), who served as a diplomat and was appointed as the French ambassador to several countries, including Spain and Portugal.

Another notable individual was Giuseppe Bura (1864-1927), an Italian engineer and inventor who played a significant role in the development of early automotive technology. He is credited with designing and building one of the first gasoline-powered vehicles in Italy.

Throughout history, the surname "BURA" has maintained a strong presence, particularly in southern Italy, where it originated. While not among the most common Italian surnames, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including lawyers, artists, diplomats, and inventors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bura families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bura 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. Devon leads with 1 Buras recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.75x.

County Total Index
Devon 1 49.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Compton Gifford in Devon leads with 1 Buras recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Compton Gifford 1 10000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 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 Bura households.

Occupation Count
Surgeon Not Practicing 1

FAQ

Bura surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bura surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Bura surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bura surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016. That gives Bura a modern rank of #22,606.

What does the Bura surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from the Greek word "voura" meaning a small boat or skiff.

What does the Bura map show?

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