NameCensus.

UK surname

Dua

An Arabic surname meaning "supplication" or "prayer".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Dua surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 177, ranked #21,230, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Woking, Three Rivers and Mid Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dua is 207 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17600.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

177

2016, ranked #21,230

Peak year

2010

207 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dua had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016, ranked #21,230.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Dua surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dua surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dua 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1997 modern 113 #25,106
1998 modern 122 #24,556
1999 modern 131 #23,709
2000 modern 130 #23,785
2001 modern 121 #24,493
2002 modern 136 #23,296
2003 modern 133 #23,359
2004 modern 148 #22,000
2005 modern 160 #20,899
2006 modern 175 #19,850
2007 modern 167 #20,719
2008 modern 175 #20,311
2009 modern 188 #19,797
2010 modern 207 #19,007
2011 modern 194 #19,662
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 198 #19,657
2014 modern 184 #20,809
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 177 #21,230

Geography

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Where Duas 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 Woking, Three Rivers, Mid Devon, Brent and Taunton Deane. 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 Woking 002 Woking
2 Three Rivers 004 Three Rivers
3 Mid Devon 003 Mid Devon
4 Brent 025 Brent
5 Taunton Deane 012 Taunton Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dua

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dua

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dua, 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 Dua surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Dua 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, Dua 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

Dua 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

Dua falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dua 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Dua

The surname DUA has its origins in the Italian language, and can be traced back to the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to have originated in the region of Tuscany, particularly in the city of Florence, where it was associated with a noble family.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name DUA can be found in a document from 1275, which mentions a certain Guido Dua, a wealthy merchant from Florence. This suggests that the name was already well-established in the city during that time.

The name DUA is thought to have derived from the Latin word "duo," meaning "two," possibly indicating that the family had two distinct branches or lineages. Another theory suggests that the name is a corruption of an old Tuscan word "duca," which means "leader" or "duke," implying that the family held a position of authority or nobility.

In the 14th century, the name appears in several records from the Republic of Florence, including tax records and municipal documents. One notable mention is that of Piero Dua, a prominent banker and politician who served as a councilor in the Florentine government in the late 1300s.

During the Renaissance period, the Dua family continued to hold a significant presence in Florence, with several members becoming successful artists, scholars, and clergy. One of the most renowned figures was Girolamo Dua, a renowned painter who lived from 1495 to 1573 and was known for his religious works adorning various churches in the city.

Outside of Italy, the name DUA can also be found in historical records from other parts of Europe, suggesting that members of the family migrated or established branches elsewhere. For instance, in the 16th century, a certain Juana Dua is mentioned in Spanish archives as a noblewoman from Seville.

Another notable figure bearing the surname DUA was Francisco Dua, a Spanish explorer and navigator who was part of the expedition that discovered the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific Ocean in 1595.

In the 17th century, the name appears in various records from France, particularly in the region of Provence, where a family of Dua nobles resided. One of the most prominent members was Pierre Dua, a French military officer who served in the Thirty Years' War and was awarded the title of Marquis in 1642.

As the centuries progressed, the Dua name continued to spread across Europe, with individuals bearing the surname making their mark in various fields, including literature, academia, and the arts. However, the name remains closely tied to its Italian roots and the historical significance it held in the city of Florence during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dua families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dua 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. Brecknockshire leads with 1 Duas recorded in 1881 and an index of 526.32x.

County Total Index
Brecknockshire 1 526.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Crickhowell in Brecknockshire leads with 1 Duas recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Crickhowell 1 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 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 Dua households.

Occupation Count
Gardener 1

FAQ

Dua surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dua surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Dua surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016. That gives Dua a modern rank of #21,230.

What does the Dua surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "supplication" or "prayer".

What does the Dua map show?

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