NameCensus.

UK surname

Cristea

A Romanian surname derived from the given name "Cristea" meaning follower of Christ.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cristea is 326 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

326

2016, ranked #13,896

Peak year

2016

326 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016, ranked #13,896.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Cristea surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cristea surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cristea 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 5 #33,418
1997 modern 10 #37,060
1998 modern 10 #37,048
1999 modern 9 #37,217
2000 modern 9 #37,119
2001 modern 8 #37,124
2002 modern 8 #37,206
2003 modern 10 #36,964
2004 modern 11 #36,969
2005 modern 13 #36,833
2006 modern 18 #36,412
2007 modern 27 #35,876
2008 modern 46 #34,759
2009 modern 59 #34,072
2010 modern 83 #32,396
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 206 #18,837
2013 modern 215 #18,598
2014 modern 250 #16,905
2015 modern 279 #15,527
2016 modern 326 #13,896

Geography

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Where Cristeas 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 Harrow, Huntingdonshire, Lambeth, Ryedale and Newham. 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 Harrow 007 Harrow
2 Huntingdonshire 008 Huntingdonshire
3 Lambeth 013 Lambeth
4 Ryedale 003 Ryedale
5 Newham 020 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cristea

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cristea

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Cristea surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Cristea 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Cristea is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cristea 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

Cristea 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 Cristea 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
Unknown

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

Meaning and origin of Cristea

The surname Cristea originates from Romania and can be traced back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Romanian word "Cristea," which is a diminutive form of the name "Cristos," meaning "Christ." The name likely originated from areas of present-day Romania, particularly in regions where Eastern Orthodox Christianity was prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Cristea can be found in the historical records of the Principality of Wallachia, a Romanian state that existed during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, a document dated 1632 mentions a nobleman named Cristea Buzescu, who served as a high-ranking official in the court of Prince Matei Basarab.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Cristea was Alexandru Cristea, a Romanian Orthodox bishop who lived from 1864 to 1946. He served as the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church from 1923 until his death, playing a significant role in the church's affairs during the interwar period.

In the late 19th century, a Romanian writer and journalist named Ion Cristea (1878-1937) made a name for himself through his literary works and contributions to the country's cultural scene. He was also actively involved in the Romanian labor movement and advocated for workers' rights.

During the 20th century, the surname Cristea gained further recognition with the accomplishments of individuals like Gheorghe Cristea (1901-1984), a renowned Romanian sculptor whose works can be found in various public spaces and museums across the country.

Another notable individual was Miron Cristea (1938-2012), a highly respected Romanian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Romania from 1975 to 1979. He played a significant role in the country's governance during the later years of the communist regime.

While the surname Cristea is predominantly found in Romania, it has also been carried by individuals in other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, its roots can be traced back to the historical regions of present-day Romania, where it has been a part of the cultural and societal fabric for several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Cristea surname: questions and answers

How common is the Cristea surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 326 in 2016. That gives Cristea a modern rank of #13,896.

What does the Cristea surname mean?

A Romanian surname derived from the given name "Cristea" meaning follower of Christ.

What does the Cristea map show?

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