NameCensus.

UK surname

Espinosa

A Spanish toponymic surname referring to someone living near a thicket of thorn bushes or brambles.

In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Espinosa surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 183, ranked #20,813, up from #32,416 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ashfield, Newham and Wandsworth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Espinosa is 183 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1933.3%.

1881 census count

9

Ranked #32,416

Modern count

183

2016, ranked #20,813

Peak year

2016

183 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Espinosa had 9 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,416 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016, ranked #20,813.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Espinosa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Espinosa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Espinosa 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 2 #34,135
1881 historical 9 #32,416
1891 historical 11 #33,268
1901 historical 9 #33,154
1911 historical 11 #32,463
1997 modern 73 #30,306
1998 modern 76 #30,386
1999 modern 75 #30,661
2000 modern 79 #30,249
2001 modern 75 #30,481
2002 modern 92 #29,040
2003 modern 87 #29,615
2004 modern 98 #28,297
2005 modern 100 #28,025
2006 modern 110 #26,717
2007 modern 113 #26,641
2008 modern 120 #25,922
2009 modern 140 #24,033
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 162 #22,101
2012 modern 159 #22,361
2013 modern 175 #21,320
2014 modern 178 #21,259
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 183 #20,813

Geography

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Where Espinosas 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 Ashfield, Newham, Wandsworth and Epsom and Ewell. 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 Ashfield 015 Ashfield
2 Newham 023 Newham
3 Newham 030 Newham
4 Wandsworth 011 Wandsworth
5 Epsom and Ewell 007 Epsom and Ewell

Forenames

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First names often paired with Espinosa

These lists show first names that appear often with the Espinosa 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 Espinosa

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

Espinosa 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

Espinosa falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Espinosa

The surname Espinosa is of Spanish origin, originating in the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish words "espina" meaning "thorn" and "osa" meaning "bear." The name likely refers to someone who lived near a thorny area or a place with many brambles.

Espinosa is a locational surname, indicating that the original bearers of the name hailed from a place called Espinosa. There are several towns and villages in Spain called Espinosa, such as Espinosa de los Monteros in the province of Burgos and Espinosa de Henares in the province of Guadalajara.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Espinosa can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrías de Castilla, a medieval census of landowners and vassals in the Kingdom of Castile, dating back to the 14th century. This document mentions several individuals with the surname Espinosa, suggesting that the name was already well-established by that time.

One notable historical figure with the surname Espinosa was Gaspar de Espinosa (1479-1537), a Spanish painter and sculptor who was active during the Renaissance period. His works can be found in various churches and museums in Spain, including the Cathedral of Seville.

In the 16th century, Diego de Espinosa (1512-1572) was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who participated in the conquest of Peru under Francisco Pizarro. He served as a lieutenant and was known for his bravery in battle.

Another prominent individual with the surname Espinosa was Jacinto de Espinosa (1590-1647), a Spanish playwright and poet who was part of the Spanish Golden Age of literature. His works include plays, poetry, and religious texts.

In the 19th century, Benigno Espinosa (1813-1888) was a Mexican politician and military officer who served as the interim President of Mexico for a brief period in 1879.

Lastly, José Espinosa y Tello (1878-1936) was a Spanish philosopher and educator who made significant contributions to the field of pedagogy. He founded the Instituto-Escuela, an experimental school in Madrid that served as a model for educational reform in Spain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Espinosa families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Espinosa 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 9 Espinosas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.27x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 9 10.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 8 Espinosas recorded in 1881 and an index of 209.97x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 8 209.97x
St Marylebone London 1 21.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 1
Elizabeth 1
Louisa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Ernest 1
Frederick 1
Henry 1
Joseph 1
Louis 1
Narciso 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 Espinosa households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 5
Electro Deposetor 1

FAQ

Espinosa surname: questions and answers

How common was the Espinosa surname in 1881?

In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Espinosa surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Espinosa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 183 in 2016. That gives Espinosa a modern rank of #20,813.

What does the Espinosa surname mean?

A Spanish toponymic surname referring to someone living near a thicket of thorn bushes or brambles.

What does the Espinosa map show?

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