NameCensus.

UK surname

Fallas

A Spanish surname derived from the word "falla" meaning a fault, fissure, or failure.

In the 1881 census there were 211 people recorded with the Fallas surname, ranking it #12,407 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 155, ranked #23,197, down from #12,407 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Mottram-in-Longdendale, Batley and Wakefield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire, Wakefield and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fallas is 320 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 26.5%.

1881 census count

211

Ranked #12,407

Modern count

155

2016, ranked #23,197

Peak year

1891

320 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fallas had 211 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,407 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016, ranked #23,197.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 320 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Fallas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fallas surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fallas 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 142 #13,428
1861 historical 118 #18,512
1881 historical 211 #12,407
1891 historical 320 #10,546
1901 historical 312 #11,339
1911 historical 262 #12,501
1997 modern 170 #19,505
1998 modern 184 #19,037
1999 modern 186 #19,073
2000 modern 174 #19,829
2001 modern 173 #19,635
2002 modern 169 #20,307
2003 modern 156 #21,115
2004 modern 146 #22,202
2005 modern 148 #21,961
2006 modern 150 #21,915
2007 modern 145 #22,693
2008 modern 150 #22,429
2009 modern 155 #22,438
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 150 #23,309
2012 modern 152 #23,069
2013 modern 154 #23,210
2014 modern 155 #23,333
2015 modern 152 #23,507
2016 modern 155 #23,197

Geography

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Where Fallas' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Mottram-in-Longdendale, Batley, Wakefield, Rochdale and Kirkburton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire, Wakefield, Leeds and Kirklees. 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 Mottram-in-Longdendale Lancashire
2 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Wakefield Yorkshire, West Riding
4 Rochdale Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Kirkburton Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 022 North Lincolnshire
2 Wakefield 029 Wakefield
3 Leeds 042 Leeds
4 Kirklees 019 Kirklees
5 Kirklees 002 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fallas

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fallas

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Fallas surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Fallas household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fallas is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Fallas is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Fallas

The surname Fallas is believed to have originated in Spain, specifically in the region of Valencia, during the late Middle Ages or early Renaissance period. It is thought to be derived from the Valencian word "falla," which refers to the traditional festival celebrations and satirical monuments known as "fallas" that have been a part of Valencian culture for centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Fallas can be found in the census records of the city of Valencia from the 16th century, where several families with this surname were documented. It is likely that the name was initially given to individuals who were involved in the organization or construction of the fallas celebrations, or perhaps those who lived in areas known for their vibrant fallas traditions.

In the 17th century, the surname Fallas appeared in various historical documents and records related to the city of Valencia and its surrounding areas. For example, in 1643, a man named Juan Fallas was listed as a member of the local guild of carpenters, which was a profession closely associated with the creation of the intricate fallas monuments.

Over time, the surname Fallas spread beyond the Valencian region as families migrated to other parts of Spain and even to the Americas during the colonial era. One notable figure bearing this surname was Pedro Fallas (1685-1758), a Spanish soldier and explorer who participated in several expeditions to the Pacific Northwest region of present-day Canada and the United States.

Another historical figure with the surname Fallas was María Fallas (1780-1854), a Spanish writer and poet from Valencia who gained recognition for her works celebrating Valencian culture and traditions, including the fallas festival.

In the 19th century, the surname Fallas can be found in various records from different parts of Spain, as well as in some Latin American countries. For example, José Fallas (1819-1892) was a prominent businessman and landowner from the town of Jumilla in the region of Murcia, Spain.

It is worth noting that the surname Fallas may have variations in spelling, such as Falla or Falles, due to regional linguistic differences or transcription errors over time. Additionally, there are instances where the surname Fallas may have derived from other sources, such as a place name or an occupation, but the connection to the Valencian fallas tradition remains a strong possibility for many bearers of this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fallas families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fallas 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. Yorkshire leads with 155 Fallas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.75x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 155 7.75x
Dumfriesshire 12 26.90x
Lancashire 12 0.50x
Cheshire 10 2.24x
Durham 5 0.83x
Kirkcudbrightshire 5 17.11x
Caernarfonshire 2 2.45x
Cumberland 2 1.15x
Argyllshire 1 1.78x
Kent 1 0.15x
Lanarkshire 1 0.15x
Middlesex 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Horbury in Yorkshire leads with 45 Fallas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1285.71x.

Place Total Index
Horbury 45 1285.71x
Saddleworth 16 103.69x
Thurlstone 14 710.66x
Dewsbury 9 43.86x
Stayley 9 176.82x
Netherthong 8 1230.77x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 7 97.90x
Sandal Magna 7 236.49x
Closeburn 6 576.92x
Leeds 6 5.31x
Wooldale 6 176.99x
Armley 5 56.63x
Fulstone 5 342.47x
Stockton On Tees 5 17.27x
Honley 4 114.29x
Manchester 4 3.71x
Minnigaff 4 363.64x
Potter Newton 4 113.31x
Wakefield 4 26.04x
Dumfries 3 68.18x
Oldham 3 3.88x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 2 27.51x
Austonley 2 176.99x
Hunslet 2 6.41x
Idle 2 21.55x
Kirkdale 2 4.96x
Little Heaton 2 350.88x
Llanddeiniolen 2 41.93x
Penrith 2 31.15x
Sculcoates 2 6.31x
West Clayton 2 202.02x
Balmaghie 1 156.25x
Barwick In Elmet 1 65.36x
Campbeltown 1 14.75x
Deptford St Paul 1 1.88x
Eastham 1 166.67x
Govan 1 0.62x
Huddersfield 1 3.43x
Mile End Old Town London 1 2.33x
Penpont 1 121.95x
Sanquhar 1 63.69x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 1 10.75x
Stretford 1 7.59x
Tynron 1 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Sarah 13
Ann 7
Emma 6
Hannah 5
Jane 5
Annie 4
Ellen 4
Elizabeth 3
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Emily 2
Ada 1
Alice 1
Amy 1
Anne 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elenor 1
Esther 1
Harriet 1
Harriett 1
Hellen 1
Janet 1
Laura 1
Lilly 1
Margaret 1
Margerita 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Miriam 1
Nanny 1
Rachal 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 9
James 7
George 6
William 6
Charles 5
Thomas 5
Fred 4
Joseph 4
Walter 4
Arthur 3
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Jonathan 3
Robert 3
Samuel 3
Alfred 2
Joe 2
Nathan 2
Richard 2
Beaumont 1
Benjamin 1
Christopher 1
Edwin 1
Eli 1
Enoch 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Fredric 1
Hedrick 1
Henry 1
Joshua 1
Len 1
Mark 1
Mathew 1
Percy 1
Sam 1
Silvanus 1
Stephen 1
Tim 1
Willie 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Fallas surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fallas surname in 1881?

In 1881, 211 people were recorded with the Fallas surname. That placed it at #12,407 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fallas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016. That gives Fallas a modern rank of #23,197.

What does the Fallas surname mean?

A Spanish surname derived from the word "falla" meaning a fault, fissure, or failure.

What does the Fallas map show?

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