NameCensus.

UK surname

Gama

A Portuguese and Italian surname referring to a deer or stag, likely indicating a hunter or fast runner.

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Gama surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 186, ranked #20,575, up from #32,926 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gama is 186 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3000.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

186

2016, ranked #20,575

Peak year

2016

186 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gama had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 186 in 2016, ranked #20,575.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 12 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Gama surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gama surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gama 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 56 #32,004
1998 modern 59 #32,027
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 59 #32,217
2001 modern 53 #32,674
2002 modern 64 #32,007
2003 modern 76 #30,883
2004 modern 84 #30,244
2005 modern 88 #29,831
2006 modern 93 #29,411
2007 modern 100 #28,669
2008 modern 115 #26,635
2009 modern 138 #24,276
2010 modern 158 #22,692
2011 modern 147 #23,627
2012 modern 161 #22,157
2013 modern 164 #22,236
2014 modern 175 #21,477
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 186 #20,575

Geography

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Where Gamas 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 Hounslow, Lambeth, Merton, Merthyr Tydfil and Waltham Forest. 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 Hounslow 017 Hounslow
2 Lambeth 011 Lambeth
3 Merton 017 Merton
4 Merthyr Tydfil 002 Merthyr Tydfil
5 Waltham Forest 026 Waltham Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gama

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

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Gama surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Gama household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Gama is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gama 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

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

Meaning and origin of Gama

The surname GAMA has its origins in Portugal, where it first emerged during the late medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Portuguese word "gama," which means a deer's antler or the branch of a plant. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a wooded area or had a connection to hunting or forestry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the GAMA surname can be found in the historical records of the Portuguese town of Sines, dating back to the 14th century. These records mention a family by the name of GAMA residing in the area, indicating that the name had already established itself in the region by that time.

During the Age of Discovery, the GAMA name gained significant prominence with the exploits of the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da GAMA. Born in Sines around 1460, Vasco da GAMA led the first successful maritime voyage from Europe to India in 1497-1499, establishing a new trade route and paving the way for Portuguese colonization in the Indian Ocean region.

Another notable figure with the GAMA surname was Pedro Álvares CABRAL, a Portuguese explorer born in 1467. CABRAL is credited with discovering Brazil in 1500, while leading an expedition to India following the route discovered by Vasco da GAMA.

In the realm of literature, João Baptista da GAMA (1592-1636) was a renowned Portuguese poet and writer, best known for his epic poem "O Uraguai," which celebrated the beauty of the Americas and condemned the mistreatment of indigenous peoples by European colonizers.

Across the Atlantic, the GAMA name also found its way to the Americas, where it took root among Portuguese settlers and their descendants. One such individual was José Joaquim da GAMA (1806-1875), a Brazilian politician and journalist who played a significant role in the country's transition from a monarchy to a republic.

Throughout history, the GAMA surname has been associated with various spellings and variations, such as GAMA, GAMAS, GAMEZ, and GAMMAS, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the regions where it has been present. While its origins can be traced back to Portugal, the GAMA name has since spread across the globe, carried by explorers, settlers, and immigrants, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of human history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gama families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gama 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. Glamorgan leads with 1 Gamas recorded in 1881 and an index of 59.52x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 1 59.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cardiff St Mary in Glamorgan leads with 1 Gamas recorded in 1881 and an index of 1111.11x.

Place Total Index
Cardiff St Mary 1 1111.11x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Casina 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 Gama households.

Occupation Count
Marinare 1

FAQ

Gama surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gama surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Gama surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gama surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 186 in 2016. That gives Gama a modern rank of #20,575.

What does the Gama surname mean?

A Portuguese and Italian surname referring to a deer or stag, likely indicating a hunter or fast runner.

What does the Gama map show?

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