NameCensus.

UK surname

Cassar

A surname of Arabic origin indicating an occupational name for a maker of tile or pottery.

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Cassar surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 693, ranked #7,768, up from #31,914 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cassar is 719 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5675.0%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

693

2016, ranked #7,768

Peak year

2010

719 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cassar had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 693 in 2016, ranked #7,768.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 42 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Cassar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cassar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cassar 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 14 #30,790
1861 historical 30 #30,188
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 42 #31,018
1901 historical 21 #31,686
1911 historical 13 #32,172
1997 modern 590 #8,250
1998 modern 621 #8,190
1999 modern 636 #8,095
2000 modern 626 #8,179
2001 modern 619 #8,092
2002 modern 640 #8,050
2003 modern 612 #8,203
2004 modern 610 #8,246
2005 modern 634 #7,932
2006 modern 619 #8,089
2007 modern 639 #7,976
2008 modern 665 #7,777
2009 modern 680 #7,823
2010 modern 719 #7,619
2011 modern 681 #7,852
2012 modern 681 #7,786
2013 modern 693 #7,790
2014 modern 698 #7,790
2015 modern 686 #7,846
2016 modern 693 #7,768

Geography

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Where Cassars 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 Wandsworth, Aylesbury Vale, Bromley and Leeds. 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 Wandsworth 019 Wandsworth
2 Wandsworth 009 Wandsworth
3 Aylesbury Vale 022 Aylesbury Vale
4 Bromley 006 Bromley
5 Leeds 102 Leeds

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cassar

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cassar

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Cassar is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cassar 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

Cassar falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cassar 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Cassar

The surname Cassar originated in Malta, an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word 'castra', meaning 'camp' or 'fortified place'. The name likely emerged during the time of the Roman Empire, when Malta was under Roman rule (218 BC - 395 AD).

The Cassar surname is thought to have been initially used to identify individuals who lived near or worked in Roman military camps or fortifications on the island. As the name evolved over centuries, it took on various spellings, including Cassaru, Cassari, and Caxaru.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Cassar name can be found in the Militia Roster of Malta, a document dating back to the 16th century during the era of the Knights Hospitaller, a Catholic military order. This record lists several individuals with the surname Cassar who served in the Maltese militia.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Cassar name gained prominence in Malta, with several notable individuals bearing the surname. One such person was Fabrizio Cassar (1663-1743), a renowned Maltese architect and military engineer who designed several fortifications and buildings on the island.

Another prominent figure was Giuseppe Cassar (1772-1856), a Maltese priest and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Maltese language and literature. He is renowned for his work, 'Della Lingua Maltese', which is considered a foundational text in the field of Maltese linguistics.

In the 19th century, Pietro Cassar (1823-1899) was a Maltese politician and journalist who played a crucial role in the island's struggle for self-government and the recognition of the Maltese language as an official language alongside English and Italian.

Girolamo Cassar (1874-1948) was a renowned Maltese sculptor and artist, known for his works depicting religious and historical themes. His sculptures can be found in various churches and public spaces across Malta.

Lastly, Dun Karm Psaila, born Karm Cassar (1871-1961), was a revered Maltese poet, writer, and philosopher. He is regarded as the National Poet of Malta and is celebrated for his contributions to the development of the Maltese language and literature.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the Cassar surname throughout history, reflecting the name's deep roots and significance in Maltese culture and society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cassar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cassar 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 9 Cassars recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.65x.

County Total Index
Surrey 9 12.65x
Lanarkshire 3 6.35x
Royal Navy 3 172.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Farnham in Surrey leads with 9 Cassars recorded in 1881 and an index of 1636.36x.

Place Total Index
Farnham 9 1636.36x
Royal Navy 3 201.34x
Carmichael 2 5000.00x
Govan 1 8.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Clara 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Kate 1
Martha 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 1
Giacinte 1
Harry 1
James 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 Cassar households.

FAQ

Cassar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cassar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Cassar surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cassar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 693 in 2016. That gives Cassar a modern rank of #7,768.

What does the Cassar surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin indicating an occupational name for a maker of tile or pottery.

What does the Cassar map show?

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