NameCensus.

UK surname

Dura

A surname derived from the Spanish word for "hard" or "enduring".

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Dura surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 115, ranked #28,348, up from #31,914 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dura is 115 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 858.3%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

2016

115 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Dura had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 12 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Dura surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dura surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dura 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1997 modern 5 #37,891
1998 modern 6 #37,703
1999 modern 6 #37,696
2000 modern 5 #37,823
2001 modern 6 #37,456
2002 modern 13 #36,570
2003 modern 14 #36,512
2004 modern 21 #35,969
2005 modern 24 #35,827
2006 modern 25 #35,903
2007 modern 34 #35,410
2008 modern 49 #34,580
2009 modern 60 #33,989
2010 modern 63 #34,002
2011 modern 72 #33,323
2012 modern 88 #32,064
2013 modern 88 #32,349
2014 modern 101 #30,855
2015 modern 107 #29,708
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Duras 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 Gateshead, Shepway, Greenwich, Ealing and Birmingham. 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 Gateshead 010 Gateshead
2 Shepway 006 Shepway
3 Greenwich 033 Greenwich
4 Ealing 002 Ealing
5 Birmingham 035 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dura

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dura

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dura 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

Dura 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

Dura falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dura 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Dura

The surname "DURA" is believed to have originated in Italy during the medieval period. It likely derived from the Latin word "durus," meaning hard or enduring, which suggests the name may have been given as a descriptive nickname to someone perceived as resilient or persistent.

The earliest known record of the name can be traced back to the 12th century in the town of Dura, located in the province of Pavia, northern Italy. This place name is thought to have influenced the surname's spelling and pronunciation.

In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the surname was Guglielmo Dura, a prominent merchant and landowner from the city of Genoa. His family's wealth and influence were documented in several historical records from that era.

During the Renaissance, the Dura family became well-established in the world of arts and literature. Piero Dura (1472-1542), a renowned painter from Florence, was commissioned to create frescoes for several churches and noble residences throughout Tuscany.

As the name spread across Italy, it also found its way into other European regions, including Spain and France. In the 16th century, a Spanish soldier named Rodrigo Dura served under the command of the renowned military leader, the Duke of Alba, during the Dutch Revolt.

In the 18th century, the French philosopher and writer, Antoine Dura (1717-1794), gained prominence for his works on moral philosophy and social theory, which influenced the ideals of the Enlightenment movement.

As the centuries passed, the surname Dura continued to be associated with notable individuals from various fields, such as politics, academia, and the arts, further solidifying its place in history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Dura families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dura 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. Cheshire leads with 12 Duras recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.51x.

County Total Index
Cheshire 12 46.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Over in Cheshire leads with 12 Duras recorded in 1881 and an index of 4615.38x.

Place Total Index
Over 12 4615.38x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Baron 1
Chaplo 1
Chrastna 1
Customer 1
Herto 1
Komec 1
Polko 1
Stefan 1
Thomas 1
Umimak 1
Warga 1
Washal 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 Dura households.

FAQ

Dura surname: questions and answers

How common was the Dura surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Dura surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Dura surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Dura a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Dura surname mean?

A surname derived from the Spanish word for "hard" or "enduring".

What does the Dura map show?

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