NameCensus.

UK surname

Chiesa

An Italian surname meaning "church" or "churchman".

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Chiesa surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 110, ranked #29,225, up from #32,765 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chiesa is 116 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1471.4%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

110

2016, ranked #29,225

Peak year

2012

116 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chiesa had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016, ranked #29,225.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 25 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Chiesa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chiesa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Chiesa 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 2 #34,135
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 18 #32,706
1901 historical 25 #31,259
1911 historical 18 #31,542
1997 modern 80 #29,554
1998 modern 83 #29,638
1999 modern 88 #29,287
2000 modern 86 #29,484
2001 modern 84 #29,508
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 93 #28,829
2004 modern 97 #28,455
2005 modern 98 #28,325
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 109 #27,253
2008 modern 110 #27,391
2009 modern 107 #28,483
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 108 #28,811
2012 modern 116 #27,550
2013 modern 114 #28,347
2014 modern 113 #28,779
2015 modern 113 #28,645
2016 modern 110 #29,225

Geography

Back to top

Where Chiesas 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 Huntingdonshire, Copeland, Camden, Eastleigh and Haringey. 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 Huntingdonshire 013 Huntingdonshire
2 Copeland 004 Copeland
3 Camden 028 Camden
4 Eastleigh 004 Eastleigh
5 Haringey 001 Haringey

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Chiesa

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Chiesa

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Chiesa is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Chiesa 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

Chiesa 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 Chiesa is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Chiesa

The surname Chiesa is of Italian origin, derived from the Italian word "chiesa" which means "church". This suggests that the name likely originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near or worked at a church.

The name Chiesa can be traced back to the 13th century in Italy, where records show individuals bearing this surname in various regions, including Lombardy, Piedmont, and Tuscany. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by people who lived in close proximity to a church or were employed by the church in some capacity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chiesa can be found in the 14th century manuscript "Libro Rosso di Chieri", a historical document from the town of Chieri in Piedmont, which mentions individuals with the surname Chiesa.

In the 15th century, the name Chiesa appeared in the records of the Republic of Venice, suggesting that the name had spread throughout the Italian peninsula. One notable individual from this period was Giovanni Chiesa (1454-1522), a Venetian diplomat and ambassador.

During the Renaissance, the name Chiesa continued to be prominent in various parts of Italy. One notable figure was Giorgio Chiesa (1528-1600), an Italian architect and engineer who worked on several important buildings in Rome, including the Palazzo Spada and the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle.

In the 18th century, Filippo Chiesa (1700-1773) was an Italian painter and etcher from Milan, known for his religious works and portraits. His son, Domenico Chiesa (1741-1819), was also a painter and followed in his father's footsteps.

Another notable individual with the surname Chiesa was Carlo Chiesa (1859-1950), an Italian explorer and geographer who extensively studied and mapped the regions of Somalia and Eritrea in East Africa.

Throughout history, the Chiesa surname has been associated with various professions, including artists, architects, diplomats, and explorers, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of individuals bearing this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Chiesa families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chiesa 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. Hertfordshire leads with 3 Chiesas recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.97x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 3 63.97x
Cambridgeshire 1 23.20x
Glamorgan 1 8.44x
Middlesex 1 1.47x
Norfolk 1 9.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Albans in Hertfordshire leads with 3 Chiesas recorded in 1881 and an index of 3000.00x.

Place Total Index
St Albans 3 3000.00x
Cardiff St Mary 1 153.85x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 1 526.32x
Norwich St John Sepulchre 1 1428.57x
St Anne Soho London 1 256.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Louis 1
Pietro 1
Poulo 1
Ulisse 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 Chiesa households.

FAQ

Chiesa surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chiesa surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Chiesa surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chiesa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016. That gives Chiesa a modern rank of #29,225.

What does the Chiesa surname mean?

An Italian surname meaning "church" or "churchman".

What does the Chiesa map show?

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