NameCensus.

UK surname

Falla

A surname of Spanish origin meaning a defect or flaw.

In the 1881 census there were 100 people recorded with the Falla surname, ranking it #19,750 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 319, ranked #14,121, up from #19,750 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Belford, Melrose and Darlington. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Kilbride and Seamill, Tweeddale West Area and Earlston Stow and Clovernfords Area.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Falla is 319 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 219.0%.

1881 census count

100

Ranked #19,750

Modern count

319

2016, ranked #14,121

Peak year

2016

319 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Falla had 100 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,750 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016, ranked #14,121.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 154 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Falla surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Falla surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Falla 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 86 #18,820
1861 historical 94 #21,883
1881 historical 100 #19,750
1891 historical 127 #20,496
1901 historical 123 #20,248
1911 historical 154 #17,553
1997 modern 277 #14,253
1998 modern 277 #14,646
1999 modern 290 #14,281
2000 modern 298 #13,981
2001 modern 290 #14,033
2002 modern 294 #14,180
2003 modern 287 #14,219
2004 modern 293 #14,082
2005 modern 301 #13,812
2006 modern 295 #14,053
2007 modern 297 #14,135
2008 modern 299 #14,177
2009 modern 296 #14,557
2010 modern 306 #14,529
2011 modern 302 #14,535
2012 modern 300 #14,505
2013 modern 299 #14,780
2014 modern 309 #14,533
2015 modern 314 #14,275
2016 modern 319 #14,121

Geography

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Where Fallas are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Belford, Melrose, Darlington, London parishes and Selkirk. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Kilbride and Seamill, Tweeddale West Area, Earlston Stow and Clovernfords Area, Wigan and Isle of Wight. 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 Belford Northumberland
2 Melrose Roxburgh
3 Darlington Durham
4 London parishes London 3
5 Selkirk Selkirk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Kilbride and Seamill North Ayrshire
2 Tweeddale West Area Scottish Borders
3 Earlston Stow and Clovernfords Area Scottish Borders
4 Wigan 012 Wigan
5 Isle of Wight 008 Isle of Wight

Forenames

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First names often paired with Falla

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Falla

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Falla surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Falla 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Falla is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Falla is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Falla falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Falla is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Falla

The surname Falla is of Spanish origin, derived from the word "falla" which means "fault" or "defect" in Spanish. It is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with a particular physical or personality trait that was considered a flaw or imperfection.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Falla can be traced back to the 14th century in the region of Valencia, Spain. Historical records suggest that the name was particularly prevalent in the towns of Alzira and Carcaixent, where it was commonly used as a descriptive nickname.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Falla was Pedro Falla, a merchant from Valencia who lived in the late 15th century. His name appears in several business documents and contracts from that time period.

In the 16th century, the surname Falla began to spread beyond the Valencian region as people migrated to other parts of Spain and the Spanish colonies. One notable figure from this era was Juan Falla, a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru under Francisco Pizarro in the 1530s.

The 17th century saw the rise of several prominent individuals with the surname Falla. Gaspar Falla was a renowned painter from Valencia who specialized in religious art and murals. His works can still be found in various churches and museums throughout Spain.

During the 19th century, the composer Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) brought international recognition to the surname. He was a leading figure in the revival of Spanish music and is considered one of the most influential composers of the early 20th century. His works, such as "Nights in the Gardens of Spain" and "The Three-Cornered Hat," are regarded as masterpieces of Spanish classical music.

Another notable figure from the 19th century was Andrés Falla, a Spanish military officer and politician who played a significant role in the Carlist Wars and served as a deputy in the Spanish parliament.

In more recent times, the surname Falla has been associated with various fields, including literature, sports, and academia. For example, Javier Falla was a Spanish novelist and poet who gained recognition for his works exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Falla families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Falla 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. Channel Islands leads with 354 Fallas recorded in 1881 and an index of 270.93x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 354 270.93x
Northumberland 13 1.98x
Selkirkshire 11 27.58x
Kent 10 0.66x
Roxburghshire 10 12.52x
Durham 8 0.61x
Middlesex 8 0.18x
Surrey 8 0.37x
Lancashire 6 0.11x
Yorkshire 6 0.14x
Berkshire 5 1.51x
Midlothian 4 0.68x
Lincolnshire 3 0.43x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.75x
Glamorgan 2 0.26x
Angus 1 0.24x
Devon 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Sampson in Channel Islands leads with 165 Fallas recorded in 1881 and an index of 2801.36x.

Place Total Index
St Sampson 165 2801.36x
St Michaelinthe Vale 86 1845.49x
St Peter Port 37 153.08x
St Maryde Castro 30 934.58x
St John 12 481.93x
Selkirk 10 88.97x
St Saviour 9 124.65x
Belford 8 571.43x
Deptford St Paul 8 6.89x
St Martin 8 100.00x
Mortlake 7 73.15x
Doncaster 6 18.80x
Lilliesleaf 6 555.56x
Darlington 5 9.87x
Reading St Mary 5 18.86x
Detchant 4 2500.00x
Hulme 4 3.66x
Torteval 4 701.75x
Bishopwearmouth 3 2.66x
Great Gonerby 3 164.84x
St Andrew 3 173.41x
Ealing 2 5.08x
Edinburgh St Georges 2 16.31x
Minto 2 307.69x
Wigan 2 2.74x
Willesden 2 4.81x
Wycombe 2 10.07x
Borthwick 1 37.88x
Dundee 1 0.66x
Eckford 1 72.46x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 1 7.16x
Elswick 1 1.91x
Galashiels 1 6.78x
Gillingham 1 3.22x
Hawick 1 5.60x
Llanharan 1 126.58x
Northfleet 1 7.55x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.41x
Richmond 1 3.32x
St George Bloomsbury 1 3.95x
St Luke London 1 1.41x
St Pancras London 1 0.28x
Swansea Town 1 1.59x
Westminster St 1 6.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 36
Elizabeth 14
Alice 12
Rachel 11
Margaret 9
Amy 6
Eliza 6
Emma 6
Louisa 6
Agnes 5
Ann 5
Ellen 5
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Charlotte 4
Jane 4
Martha 4
Ada 3
Betsy 3
Chris. 3
Harriet 3
Judith 3
Nancy 3
Sarah 3
Adele 2
Amelia 2
Clara 2
Henrietta 2
Julia 2
Lucie 2
Merina 2
Patty 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Betsey 1
Blanch 1
Emilia 1
Emily 1
Emmeline 1
Ethel 1
Eugenie 1
Eunice 1
Frederize 1
Lavinia 1
Leontine 1
Lydia 1
Margret 1
Margrette 1
Zelia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 36
Thomas 21
Peter 18
James 17
Stephen 11
Alfred 10
Daniel 10
Nicholas 10
Frederick 9
William 9
George 5
Henry 5
Edward 4
Walter 4
Charles 3
Joseph 3
Nicolas 3
Abraham 2
Albert 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Robert 2
Selby 2
Wm. 2
Adolphus 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Edwin 1
Etienne 1
Fred 1
Fredrick 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Mathew 1
Michael 1
My...eto 1
Nichs.B. 1
Rachel 1
Richard 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Falla surname: questions and answers

How common was the Falla surname in 1881?

In 1881, 100 people were recorded with the Falla surname. That placed it at #19,750 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Falla surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 319 in 2016. That gives Falla a modern rank of #14,121.

What does the Falla surname mean?

A surname of Spanish origin meaning a defect or flaw.

What does the Falla map show?

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