NameCensus.

UK surname

Elena

An Italian surname derived from the Greek name Helene, meaning bright or shining one.

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Elena surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 122, ranked #27,255, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waltham Forest, Cardiff and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Elena is 122 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2950.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2016

122 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Elena had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Elena surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Elena surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Elena 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 13 #32,208
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 10 #37,060
1998 modern 16 #36,361
1999 modern 15 #36,476
2000 modern 16 #36,316
2001 modern 15 #36,265
2002 modern 20 #35,894
2003 modern 19 #36,011
2004 modern 21 #35,969
2005 modern 22 #35,993
2006 modern 31 #35,467
2007 modern 42 #34,905
2008 modern 37 #35,327
2009 modern 44 #35,028
2010 modern 46 #35,062
2011 modern 60 #34,202
2012 modern 75 #33,263
2013 modern 76 #33,329
2014 modern 85 #32,743
2015 modern 96 #31,624
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

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Where Elenas 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 Waltham Forest, Cardiff, Brent and Harrow. 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 Waltham Forest 017 Waltham Forest
2 Cardiff 033 Cardiff
3 Brent 007 Brent
4 Harrow 007 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Elena

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Elena

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

Elena 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

Elena 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 Elena 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 Elena, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Elena

The surname ELENA originated in Italy during the medieval period, likely derived from the Latin name Helena or the Greek name Helene, meaning "bright" or "shining light." It was initially used as a feminine given name before evolving into a family name.

ELENA is believed to have first appeared as a surname in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, where it was associated with noble families and landowners. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries.

One notable mention of the ELENA surname is in the "Codice Diplomatico Longobardo," a collection of Lombard diplomatic documents from the 7th to the 11th centuries. This suggests that the name may have been present in Italy even before the medieval period.

In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Giovanni ELENA (1420-1498) was a renowned Italian humanist, scholar, and philosopher who played a significant role in the Renaissance movement. He was highly respected for his contributions to the study of Classical literature and philosophy.

Another notable individual with the ELENA surname was Girolamo ELENA (1568-1630), an Italian painter and architect who was active in Rome during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. His works can be found in various churches and palaces throughout Italy.

During the 16th century, the ELENA family was also known to have owned several vineyards and estates in the Tuscan region, particularly around the city of Siena. This is evident from land records and property deeds from that time.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Vincenzo ELENA (1732-1804) was a highly acclaimed Italian composer and violinist. He composed numerous operas, concertos, and chamber works, and his music was widely performed throughout Europe.

Another individual of note was Caterina ELENA (1855-1932), an Italian educator and feminist activist who campaigned for women's rights and access to education. She founded several schools and educational institutions for underprivileged girls in her native Tuscany.

While the ELENA surname has its roots in Italy, over the centuries, it has spread to other parts of Europe and the world due to migration and intermarriage. However, its earliest origins and historical significance can be traced back to the Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria during the medieval and Renaissance periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Elena families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Elena 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 3 Elenas recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.72x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 3 7.72x
Glamorgan 1 14.77x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westminster St James in Middlesex leads with 3 Elenas recorded in 1881 and an index of 750.00x.

Place Total Index
Westminster St James 3 750.00x
Cardiff St Mary 1 270.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Christopher 1
Sebastian 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 Elena households.

FAQ

Elena surname: questions and answers

How common was the Elena surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Elena surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Elena surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Elena a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Elena surname mean?

An Italian surname derived from the Greek name Helene, meaning bright or shining one.

What does the Elena map show?

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