NameCensus.

UK surname

Caruana

A surname originating from the Italian town of Caruana near Palermo, Sicily.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Cornwall and Salford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Caruana is 629 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

622

2016, ranked #8,471

Peak year

2014

629 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 622 in 2016, ranked #8,471.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Caruana surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Caruana surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Caruana 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
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 478 #9,627
1998 modern 496 #9,658
1999 modern 489 #9,830
2000 modern 503 #9,589
2001 modern 499 #9,483
2002 modern 537 #9,150
2003 modern 503 #9,446
2004 modern 510 #9,374
2005 modern 514 #9,262
2006 modern 521 #9,193
2007 modern 541 #9,006
2008 modern 552 #8,940
2009 modern 596 #8,640
2010 modern 614 #8,638
2011 modern 582 #8,894
2012 modern 573 #8,900
2013 modern 606 #8,678
2014 modern 629 #8,473
2015 modern 623 #8,473
2016 modern 622 #8,471

Geography

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Where Caruanas 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 Camden, Cornwall, Salford and Central Bedfordshire. 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 Camden 024 Camden
2 Cornwall 042 Cornwall
3 Camden 025 Camden
4 Salford 023 Salford
5 Central Bedfordshire 020 Central Bedfordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Caruana

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Caruana

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Caruana surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Caruana household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Caruana is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

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

Caruana 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

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

Meaning and origin of Caruana

The surname Caruana originated in Malta, tracing its roots back to the 15th century or earlier. It likely derived from the Maltese word "Caruana," which translates to "The Carob Tree." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to an individual who lived near or worked with carob trees.

The name Caruana is closely associated with the island of Malta, where it has been prevalent for centuries. Some early mentions of the surname can be found in historical records and documents, such as parish registers and notarial deeds from the 16th and 17th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Caruana was Girolamo Caruana, a prominent Maltese scholar and author who lived between 1543 and 1618. He wrote several works on Maltese history and culture, contributing significantly to the preservation of the island's heritage.

Another notable figure was Vincenzo Caruana, a renowned architect and military engineer born in 1631. He designed several fortifications and structures in Malta, including parts of the Valletta and Mdina city walls.

In the 19th century, Filippo Caruana (1808-1884) was a Maltese scholar and author who made significant contributions to the study of Maltese language and literature. He published numerous works, including a Maltese-Italian dictionary and a collection of Maltese proverbs.

The name Caruana also gained recognition beyond Malta's shores. Sir Antonio Caruana (1859-1940) was a Maltese-born British diplomat who served as the Governor of Sierra Leone from 1910 to 1916.

Lastly, Jaime Caruana (born 1952) is a prominent Maltese economist and former Governor of the Bank of Spain, who also served as the General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements from 2009 to 2017.

While the surname Caruana has its roots in Malta, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through Maltese migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the island's rich history and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Caruana families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Caruana 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. Royal Navy leads with 4 Caruanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 869.57x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 4 869.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Royal Navy in Royal Navy leads with 4 Caruanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 1000.00x.

Place Total Index
Royal Navy 4 1000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Lewis 1
Michael 1
Salvatore 1
Saverio 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 Caruana households.

FAQ

Caruana surname: questions and answers

How common is the Caruana surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 622 in 2016. That gives Caruana a modern rank of #8,471.

What does the Caruana surname mean?

A surname originating from the Italian town of Caruana near Palermo, Sicily.

What does the Caruana map show?

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