NameCensus.

UK surname

Kana

A surname of Indian origin perhaps referring to someone from the Kana region or clan.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Kana surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 110, ranked #29,225, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackburn with Darwen, Leicester and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kana is 115 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1471.4%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

110

2016, ranked #29,225

Peak year

2010

115 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kana had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016, ranked #29,225.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Kana surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kana surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kana 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 6 #33,230
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 73 #30,306
1998 modern 74 #30,562
1999 modern 70 #31,135
2000 modern 76 #30,578
2001 modern 75 #30,481
2002 modern 80 #30,387
2003 modern 86 #29,752
2004 modern 82 #30,468
2005 modern 88 #29,831
2006 modern 88 #30,160
2007 modern 98 #29,019
2008 modern 95 #29,822
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 115 #27,874
2011 modern 111 #28,294
2012 modern 107 #29,017
2013 modern 109 #29,209
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 113 #28,645
2016 modern 110 #29,225

Geography

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Where Kanas 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 Blackburn with Darwen, Leicester, Redbridge and Hackney. 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 Blackburn with Darwen 005 Blackburn with Darwen
2 Leicester 021 Leicester
3 Redbridge 034 Redbridge
4 Hackney 026 Hackney
5 Redbridge 022 Redbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kana

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

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Kana is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Kana 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

Kana 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 Kana is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Kana

The surname KANA has its origins in India, tracing back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "kana," which means "small" or "insignificant." The name was initially associated with families from the lower castes or social classes.

In ancient Hindu texts and records, such as the Puranas and regional chronicles, there are mentions of individuals bearing the surname KANA. These references often denote their occupations or societal roles, which were considered humble or modest at the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the KANA surname appears in a land deed from the Vijayanagar Empire, dated around 1560 CE. The document mentions a farmer named Govinda KANA, who was granted a plot of land in recognition of his service to the kingdom.

During the Mughal era, which spanned the 16th to 19th centuries, there are several notable figures with the surname KANA. One such individual was Amba KANA (1620-1687), a renowned poet and scholar who authored several works on Hindu philosophy and mythology.

In the 18th century, a prominent KANA family resided in the city of Varanasi, which was a center of learning and spirituality. Rama KANA (1735-1810) was a respected Sanskrit scholar and teacher who wrote extensively on the Vedas and other sacred texts.

As the British colonial rule expanded in India, some KANA families migrated to different regions, leading to variations in the spelling and pronunciation of the name. For instance, in Bengal, the name was sometimes written as "CANA" or "KHANA."

One notable figure from this period was Swami Vivekananda's disciple, Swami Vijnanananda KANA (1865-1936), who played a significant role in spreading the teachings of Vedanta in the West.

Throughout its history, the KANA surname has been carried by individuals from diverse walks of life, including scholars, poets, farmers, and spiritual leaders. While the name may have humble origins, it has left an indelible mark on Indian culture and heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kana families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kana 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 5 Kanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.19x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 5 42.19x
Lanarkshire 1 4.54x
Middlesex 1 1.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Llantrisant in Glamorgan leads with 5 Kanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 1666.67x.

Place Total Index
Llantrisant 5 1666.67x
Govan Church 1 0.00x
Westminster St James 1 142.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Joanna 1
Margt. 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Michael 1
Richard 1
William 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 Kana households.

FAQ

Kana surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kana surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Kana surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kana surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016. That gives Kana a modern rank of #29,225.

What does the Kana surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin perhaps referring to someone from the Kana region or clan.

What does the Kana map show?

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