NameCensus.

UK surname

Freitas

A Portuguese toponymic surname referring to someone from a place with cold springs or cold waters.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Freitas is 1,023 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,023

2016, ranked #5,696

Peak year

2016

1,023 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,023 in 2016, ranked #5,696.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Freitas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Freitas surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Freitas 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 315 #13,111
1998 modern 337 #12,859
1999 modern 362 #12,316
2000 modern 400 #11,402
2001 modern 396 #11,307
2002 modern 432 #10,801
2003 modern 435 #10,571
2004 modern 475 #9,871
2005 modern 518 #9,208
2006 modern 582 #8,469
2007 modern 618 #8,174
2008 modern 640 #8,007
2009 modern 742 #7,312
2010 modern 859 #6,636
2011 modern 823 #6,785
2012 modern 905 #6,226
2013 modern 947 #6,101
2014 modern 1,001 #5,853
2015 modern 1,004 #5,788
2016 modern 1,023 #5,696

Geography

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Where Freitas' 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 Lambeth. 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 Lambeth 004 Lambeth
2 Lambeth 011 Lambeth
3 Lambeth 022 Lambeth
4 Lambeth 006 Lambeth
5 Lambeth 008 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Freitas

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Freitas surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Freitas 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Freitas is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Freitas 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

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

Meaning and origin of Freitas

The surname Freitas has its origins in Portugal and is derived from the Portuguese word "freita" which means "valley" or "ravine". It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of Portugal, specifically in the areas around the cities of Porto and Braga, where many valleys and ravines are found.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Freitas dates back to the 13th century, appearing in documents related to land ownership and taxation. During this time, it was common for individuals to be identified by their place of origin or residence, and the name Freitas likely referred to someone who lived near or in a particular valley or ravine.

In the 15th century, the surname Freitas appeared in the records of the Portuguese Inquisition, indicating that individuals bearing this name were subject to scrutiny due to their religious beliefs or practices. This suggests that the name had already gained some prominence by that time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Freitas was João de Freitas, a Portuguese explorer who was born in the late 15th century and participated in several expeditions to the coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Another notable figure was Gaspar de Freitas, a Portuguese nobleman and military commander who lived in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the Portuguese conquest of the Malay Archipelago and was known for his bravery and strategic skills.

In the 17th century, the surname Freitas was closely associated with the Portuguese colonization of Brazil. António de Freitas, born in 1621, was one of the first settlers in the region of Rio de Janeiro and played a crucial role in establishing the city's infrastructure and defenses.

Later in the 18th century, José Joaquim de Freitas, born in 1760, was a prominent Portuguese lawyer and judge who served as a member of the Supreme Court of Justice in Lisbon.

Another notable individual was Francisco de Freitas, a Portuguese playwright and poet who lived in the 19th century. He was born in 1817 and is celebrated for his contributions to the development of Portuguese theater and literature.

Throughout its history, the surname Freitas has been associated with various areas of achievement, including exploration, military service, law, and the arts, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who bear this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Freitas surname: questions and answers

How common is the Freitas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,023 in 2016. That gives Freitas a modern rank of #5,696.

What does the Freitas surname mean?

A Portuguese toponymic surname referring to someone from a place with cold springs or cold waters.

What does the Freitas map show?

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