NameCensus.

UK surname

Herrera

A Spanish toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near an area of blackberry bushes or brambles.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Herrera surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 389, ranked #12,109, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewisham, Islington and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herrera is 389 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12866.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

389

2016, ranked #12,109

Peak year

2016

389 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Herrera had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 389 in 2016, ranked #12,109.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 32 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Herrera surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Herrera surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Herrera 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
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1911 historical 32 #29,838
1997 modern 164 #19,944
1998 modern 176 #19,584
1999 modern 184 #19,178
2000 modern 185 #19,118
2001 modern 182 #19,039
2002 modern 185 #19,212
2003 modern 197 #18,311
2004 modern 198 #18,308
2005 modern 219 #17,126
2006 modern 242 #16,097
2007 modern 247 #16,042
2008 modern 265 #15,425
2009 modern 299 #14,445
2010 modern 326 #13,918
2011 modern 332 #13,608
2012 modern 334 #13,443
2013 modern 357 #12,984
2014 modern 369 #12,745
2015 modern 374 #12,495
2016 modern 389 #12,109

Geography

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Where Herreras 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 Lewisham, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea and Chiltern. 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 Lewisham 035 Lewisham
2 Lewisham 022 Lewisham
3 Islington 018 Islington
4 Kensington and Chelsea 006 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Chiltern 006 Chiltern

Forenames

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First names often paired with Herrera

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Herrera, 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 Herrera surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Herrera 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, Herrera 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

Herrera 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

Herrera falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Herrera 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 Herrera, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Herrera

The surname Herrera has its origins in Spain, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "herrero," which means "blacksmith" or "ironsmith." This suggests that the surname was initially given to those who worked in the trade of smithing or metallurgy.

The name first appeared in various regions of Spain, particularly in areas such as Castile, Aragon, and Andalusia, where the production of iron and metalwork was prevalent. As the name spread across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond, it underwent minor spelling variations, including Ferrera and Ferreiro, reflecting regional linguistic differences.

One of the earliest known references to the Herrera surname can be found in the "Libro de las Behetrías," a medieval manuscript compiled in the late 14th century, which documented landowners and their properties in the regions of Castile and León.

In the 15th century, a prominent figure bearing the Herrera surname was Enrique de Herrera, a renowned Spanish architect and sculptor who played a significant role in the construction of the Granada Cathedral and the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada.

During the 16th century, Juan de Herrera (1530-1597) was a notable Spanish Renaissance architect and mathematician. He served as the royal architect to King Philip II of Spain and was responsible for the design of several important buildings, including the Monastery of El Escorial, which is considered one of the most important architectural works of the Spanish Renaissance.

In the 17th century, José de Herrera (1619-1682) was a Spanish historian and military writer. He authored several influential works, including "Historia General del Mundo," a comprehensive history of the world from ancient times to the 17th century.

Another notable figure with the Herrera surname was José Joaquín de Herrera (1792-1854), a Mexican politician and military officer who served as the President of Mexico from 1845 to 1851. He played a crucial role in the Mexican-American War and the reforms that followed.

Francisco de Herrera "El Viejo" (1576-1656) was a prominent Spanish Golden Age painter, known for his religious and mythological works. He was a leading figure in the Sevillan school of painting and is considered one of the most influential artists of the Baroque period in Spain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Herrera families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Herrera 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. Lancashire leads with 2 Herreras recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.77x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 2 5.77x
Middlesex 1 3.42x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walton On Hill in Lancashire leads with 2 Herreras recorded in 1881 and an index of 1052.63x.

Place Total Index
Walton On Hill 2 1052.63x
Kensington London 1 61.73x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
Santiago 1

FAQ

Herrera surname: questions and answers

How common was the Herrera surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Herrera surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Herrera surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 389 in 2016. That gives Herrera a modern rank of #12,109.

What does the Herrera surname mean?

A Spanish toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near an area of blackberry bushes or brambles.

What does the Herrera map show?

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