NameCensus.

UK surname

Dcosta

A surname originating from the Portuguese coast or Costa region.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dcosta is 496 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

496

2016, ranked #10,038

Peak year

2016

496 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 496 in 2016, ranked #10,038.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Dcosta surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dcosta surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Dcosta 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
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 275 #14,335
1998 modern 300 #13,877
1999 modern 320 #13,398
2000 modern 323 #13,268
2001 modern 317 #13,228
2002 modern 323 #13,325
2003 modern 350 #12,417
2004 modern 355 #12,326
2005 modern 363 #12,037
2006 modern 379 #11,688
2007 modern 398 #11,411
2008 modern 403 #11,398
2009 modern 423 #11,204
2010 modern 429 #11,324
2011 modern 415 #11,514
2012 modern 415 #11,403
2013 modern 460 #10,661
2014 modern 473 #10,509
2015 modern 473 #10,440
2016 modern 496 #10,038

Geography

Back to top

Where Dcostas 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, Greenwich, Hounslow and Hackney. 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 Greenwich 005 Greenwich
3 Hounslow 016 Hounslow
4 Hackney 019 Hackney
5 Swindon 016 Swindon

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Dcosta

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Dcosta

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Dcosta surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Dcosta household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dcosta is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Dcosta 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

Dcosta falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dcosta 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 Dcosta, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dcosta

The surname DCOSTA has its origins in Portugal, where it first emerged in the late 15th century. It is derived from the Portuguese words "da costa," which translates to "from the coast." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who lived near the coast or was associated with maritime activities.

The earliest recorded instances of the DCOSTA surname can be traced back to the late 1400s and early 1500s in various Portuguese documents and records. One notable example is the mention of a Pedro DCOSTA in a 1517 document related to trade in the Indian Ocean region.

As the Portuguese began exploring and establishing colonies around the world, the DCOSTA surname spread to various regions, including parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. In some cases, the name underwent slight variations in spelling, such as D'Costa or Da Costa.

One of the earliest known individuals with the DCOSTA surname was Gaspar DCOSTA, a Portuguese explorer born around 1520. He played a significant role in the exploration and mapping of the Indian Ocean region.

Another notable figure was Garcia DCOSTA, a Portuguese physician and philosopher born in 1541. He was known for his work in the field of medicine and his contributions to the study of natural history.

In the 17th century, the DCOSTA surname gained prominence in the Netherlands, where a branch of the family settled. One of the most famous individuals from this branch was Isaac DCOSTA, a Dutch philosopher and writer born in 1646. He is best known for his works on ethics and religious philosophy.

The DCOSTA surname also has a presence in India, where it is often associated with the Goan Catholic community. One notable figure from this region was Joseph DCOSTA, a Goan writer and historian born in 1834. He made significant contributions to the study of Goan history and culture.

Another individual of note was António DCOSTA, a Portuguese-Indian architect born in 1886. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in British India, including the Convent of Jesus and Mary in New Delhi.

While the DCOSTA surname has its roots in Portugal, it has since spread to various parts of the world, reflecting the far-reaching influence of Portuguese exploration and colonization. The name continues to hold historical significance and can be found in various cultures and communities across multiple continents.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dcosta surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dcosta surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 496 in 2016. That gives Dcosta a modern rank of #10,038.

What does the Dcosta surname mean?

A surname originating from the Portuguese coast or Costa region.

What does the Dcosta map show?

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