NameCensus.

UK surname

Cunha

A Portuguese toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a wedge-shaped plot of land or ravine.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Cunha surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 371, ranked #12,561, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swindon, Tower Hamlets and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cunha is 371 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18450.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

371

2016, ranked #12,561

Peak year

2016

371 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cunha had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 371 in 2016, ranked #12,561.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Cunha surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cunha surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cunha 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 52 #32,444
1998 modern 58 #32,138
1999 modern 64 #31,692
2000 modern 71 #31,082
2001 modern 71 #30,907
2002 modern 88 #29,534
2003 modern 93 #28,829
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 138 #22,999
2006 modern 165 #20,634
2007 modern 174 #20,166
2008 modern 194 #19,011
2009 modern 233 #17,241
2010 modern 259 #16,386
2011 modern 250 #16,637
2012 modern 294 #14,705
2013 modern 316 #14,223
2014 modern 336 #13,692
2015 modern 355 #13,033
2016 modern 371 #12,561

Geography

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Where Cunhas 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 Swindon, Tower Hamlets, Merton, St Edmundsbury and Lambeth. 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 Swindon 015 Swindon
2 Tower Hamlets 005 Tower Hamlets
3 Merton 014 Merton
4 St Edmundsbury 014 St Edmundsbury
5 Lambeth 016 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cunha

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cunha

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

Cunha 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

Cunha 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 Cunha 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Cunha

The surname Cunha is of Portuguese origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Portuguese word "cunha," which means "wedge" or "chisel." This occupational surname was likely originally given to someone who worked as a woodworker or stonemason, crafting items using wedges or chisels.

The name Cunha first appeared in historical records in the 13th century, during the time of the Portuguese Reconquista, when the Christian kingdoms were reclaiming territory from the Moors. Some of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in medieval charters and deeds from the regions of Minho and Trás-os-Montes in northern Portugal.

In the 15th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Cunha was Tristão da Cunha, a Portuguese explorer and naval officer. He is known for leading an expedition to the Indian Ocean in 1506, during which he discovered the remote islands that now bear his name, the Tristan da Cunha archipelago.

Another prominent individual with the Cunha surname was Nuno da Cunha, who served as the Governor of Portuguese India from 1529 to 1538. He played a significant role in strengthening Portugal's presence in the region and is credited with the construction of several fortifications and defensive structures.

In the 17th century, Pedro da Cunha (1629-1681) was a renowned Portuguese architect and engineer. He designed numerous notable buildings in Portugal, including the Church of São Roque and the Royal Palace of Mafra.

During the 19th century, Euclides da Cunha (1866-1909) was a Brazilian writer, sociologist, and journalist. He is best known for his seminal work "Os Sertões" (Rebellion in the Backlands), a pioneering work in the field of Brazilian literature and sociology.

Over the centuries, the surname Cunha has also been associated with various place names and locations in Portugal, such as Cunha Alta, Cunha Baixa, and Cunha Velha, which may have influenced the spread and popularity of the name in certain regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cunha families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cunha 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Cunhas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 2 Cunhas recorded in 1881 and an index of 106.95x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 2 106.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Fanny 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Agusto 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 Cunha households.

Occupation Count
Clerk 1

FAQ

Cunha surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cunha surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Cunha surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cunha surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 371 in 2016. That gives Cunha a modern rank of #12,561.

What does the Cunha surname mean?

A Portuguese toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a wedge-shaped plot of land or ravine.

What does the Cunha map show?

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