NameCensus.

UK surname

Fontana

An Italian toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a spring or fountain.

In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Fontana surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 362, ranked #12,810, up from #30,077 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carlisle and Sheffield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Fontana is 362 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1348.0%.

1881 census count

25

Ranked #30,077

Modern count

362

2016, ranked #12,810

Peak year

2016

362 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Fontana had 25 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,077 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 362 in 2016, ranked #12,810.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 77 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Fontana surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Fontana surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Fontana 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1881 historical 25 #30,077
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 50 #28,590
1911 historical 77 #25,106
1997 modern 221 #16,565
1998 modern 239 #16,179
1999 modern 247 #15,932
2000 modern 251 #15,692
2001 modern 253 #15,403
2002 modern 250 #15,819
2003 modern 253 #15,493
2004 modern 252 #15,618
2005 modern 240 #16,092
2006 modern 236 #16,384
2007 modern 251 #15,861
2008 modern 260 #15,648
2009 modern 274 #15,395
2010 modern 299 #14,769
2011 modern 311 #14,260
2012 modern 320 #13,868
2013 modern 340 #13,449
2014 modern 350 #13,263
2015 modern 350 #13,159
2016 modern 362 #12,810

Geography

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Where Fontanas 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 Carlisle and Sheffield. 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 Carlisle 010 Carlisle
2 Carlisle 011 Carlisle
3 Carlisle 006 Carlisle
4 Sheffield 076 Sheffield
5 Sheffield 009 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Fontana

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Fontana

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Fontana surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Fontana 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Fontana 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

Fontana 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

Fontana falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Fontana 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Fontana

The surname Fontana originated in Italy during the medieval period. It is derived from the Italian word "fontana," meaning "fountain" or "spring." This name likely originated as a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a spring or fountain.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Fontana can be found in historical records from various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Lombardy, and Veneto. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Orazio Fontana, an Italian painter and architect who lived from 1510 to 1571.

During the Renaissance period, the Fontana family produced several notable individuals. For example, Domenico Fontana (1543-1607) was an Italian architect who worked on the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and designed the famous Egyptian obelisk in St. Peter's Square.

Another prominent figure with the surname Fontana was Prospero Fontana (1512-1597), an Italian painter and engraver. He was known for his religious works and contributed to the decoration of several churches in Bologna.

In the 18th century, Felice Fontana (1730-1805) was an Italian naturalist and physician who made significant contributions to the study of physiology and anatomy. He conducted experiments on various animals and published important works on the nervous system.

During the 19th century, one of the most notable individuals with the surname Fontana was Gregorio Fontana (1816-1905), an Italian painter and sculptor. He was known for his religious and historical works, and his sculptures can be found in various churches and public spaces in Italy.

While the surname Fontana is primarily associated with Italy, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in Italy, where it was likely derived from the Italian word "fontana," referring to someone who lived near a spring or fountain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Fontana families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Fontana 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 13 Fontanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.34x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 13 5.34x
Yorkshire 5 2.07x
Surrey 3 2.53x
Buckinghamshire 2 13.58x
Gloucestershire 1 2.09x
Lancashire 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 5 Fontanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.68x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 5 36.68x
St George Hanover Square 5 116.55x
Chelsea London 3 40.87x
Lambeth 3 14.12x
Kensington London 2 14.76x
Paddington London 2 22.32x
Wycombe 2 181.82x
Bristol 1 2500.00x
St Marylebone London 1 7.69x
Toxteth Park 1 10.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Annie 2
Beatrice 1
Elina 1
Emma 1
Margherita 1
Martha 1
Parolo 1
Sara 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Alfreds 1
Alyere 1
Aristide 1
Cesare 1
Charles 1
Dominico 1
Jean 1
Raphael 1
Simone 1
Stefanus 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 Fontana households.

FAQ

Fontana surname: questions and answers

How common was the Fontana surname in 1881?

In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Fontana surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Fontana surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 362 in 2016. That gives Fontana a modern rank of #12,810.

What does the Fontana surname mean?

An Italian toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a spring or fountain.

What does the Fontana map show?

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