NameCensus.

UK surname

Cortez

A Spanish surname derived from the word "corte," meaning "court," likely referring to someone who worked or lived near a court.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Cortez surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 190, ranked #20,262, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cortez is 190 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18900.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

190

2016, ranked #20,262

Peak year

2016

190 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cortez had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016, ranked #20,262.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Cortez surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cortez surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Cortez 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 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 37 #33,964
1998 modern 32 #34,633
1999 modern 39 #34,058
2000 modern 36 #34,317
2001 modern 39 #33,923
2002 modern 40 #34,133
2003 modern 43 #33,951
2004 modern 59 #32,787
2005 modern 67 #32,196
2006 modern 76 #31,633
2007 modern 88 #30,515
2008 modern 90 #30,567
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 129 #25,673
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 160 #22,621
2014 modern 168 #22,075
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 190 #20,262

Geography

Back to top

Where Cortez' 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 Newham, Watford, Brent, Fylde and Wrexham. 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 Newham 023 Newham
2 Watford 006 Watford
3 Brent 031 Brent
4 Fylde 006 Fylde
5 Wrexham 011 Wrexham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Cortez

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Cortez

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

Cortez 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

Cortez 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 Cortez is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Cortez

The surname Cortez is of Spanish origin, derived from the word "corte" meaning "court" or "courtier". It is believed to have emerged during the 11th century in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Castile and Aragon.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cortez can be found in the 12th century "Libro de las Behetrias" (Book of Lineages), a medieval document that recorded the names of noblemen and landowners in the Kingdom of Castile. The name was often associated with individuals who held positions in the royal court or were closely linked to the monarchy.

The Cortez surname gained particular prominence during the 16th century, when Hernán Cortés (1485-1547), a Spanish conquistador, led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in what is now modern-day Mexico. His exploits and subsequent establishment of Spanish rule in the region played a significant role in the spread and recognition of the Cortez name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Cortez. One example is Juan Cortés (1451-1527), a Spanish nobleman and military commander who participated in the conquest of Granada and served as a trusted advisor to King Ferdinand II of Aragon.

Another prominent figure was Martín Cortés (1532-1589), the son of Hernán Cortés, who served as the second Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca and played a crucial role in the colonization and governance of New Spain (present-day Mexico).

In the realm of literature, the Spanish poet and playwright Juan Bautista Diamante Cortés (1625-1687) made significant contributions to the Golden Age of Spanish literature with his works, including the play "El Honrador de su Padre" (The Honorer of His Father).

The Cortez surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Cortez, a city in Colorado, United States, and Cortez Island, located off the coast of British Columbia, Canada.

It is worth noting that variations of the spelling, such as Cortes, Cortés, and Cortez, can be found throughout different regions and historical records, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the regions where the name has been present.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Cortez families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cortez 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 1 Cortez' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.28x.

County Total Index
Surrey 1 21.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clapham in Surrey leads with 1 Cortez' recorded in 1881 and an index of 833.33x.

Place Total Index
Clapham 1 833.33x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henrich 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 Cortez households.

Occupation Count
Student 1

FAQ

Cortez surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cortez surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Cortez surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016. That gives Cortez a modern rank of #20,262.

What does the Cortez surname mean?

A Spanish surname derived from the word "corte," meaning "court," likely referring to someone who worked or lived near a court.

What does the Cortez map show?

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