NameCensus.

UK surname

La

A French topographic surname referring to someone who lived near or on a moor or heath.

In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the La surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 350, ranked #13,152, up from #29,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thurrock, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for La is 350 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 993.8%.

1881 census count

32

Ranked #29,082

Modern count

350

2016, ranked #13,152

Peak year

2016

350 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • La had 32 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016, ranked #13,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 32 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

La surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

La surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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La 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 6 #32,278
1881 historical 32 #29,082
1997 modern 195 #17,912
1998 modern 199 #18,177
1999 modern 209 #17,771
2000 modern 195 #18,494
2001 modern 188 #18,652
2002 modern 200 #18,294
2003 modern 201 #18,089
2004 modern 204 #17,992
2005 modern 203 #17,961
2006 modern 210 #17,718
2007 modern 205 #18,194
2008 modern 198 #18,753
2009 modern 207 #18,600
2010 modern 230 #17,750
2011 modern 225 #17,841
2012 modern 254 #16,328
2013 modern 274 #15,764
2014 modern 282 #15,537
2015 modern 311 #14,369
2016 modern 350 #13,152

Geography

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Where Las 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 Thurrock, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Lewisham. 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 Thurrock 007 Thurrock
2 Hackney 025 Hackney
3 Tower Hamlets 030 Tower Hamlets
4 Hackney 016 Hackney
5 Lewisham 005 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with La

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

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

La 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

La 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 La 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
Asian - Other

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

Meaning and origin of La

The surname "La" originates from Spain and is thought to have first emerged in the 8th century during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "al", which means "the" and was often used as a prefix for place names or surnames.

In the early days of its usage, "La" was commonly found in regions like Andalusia, where the Moorish influence was particularly strong. Some of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be traced back to medieval Spanish documents and manuscripts from the 10th and 11th centuries.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname "La" was Diego de la Cueva, a 15th-century Spanish nobleman and military commander who served under King Juan II of Castile. He played a significant role in the conflicts between Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon during the 1440s and 1450s.

Another prominent individual with the surname "La" was Juan de la Cosa, a Spanish navigator and cartographer from the late 15th century. He is best known for creating one of the earliest surviving maps of the New World, known as the "Carta Universal" or the "World Map of Juan de la Cosa," which dates back to around 1500.

In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the celebrated Spanish poet and playwright Félix Lope de Vega y Carpio (1562-1635), who is often referred to as Lope de Vega. He is considered one of the most prolific and influential writers of the Spanish Golden Age and is renowned for his numerous plays, poems, and novels.

Moving into the 19th century, José María de la Cruz Bermúdez Acosta (1788-1849), better known as José de la Cruz Bermúdez, was a prominent Cuban poet and journalist. He is regarded as one of the founders of Cuban romantic poetry and played a significant role in the literary and cultural life of his time.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Ignacio María González del Campillo (1836-1901), a Mexican engineer and politician who served as the Minister of Development under President Porfirio Díaz. He was instrumental in the construction of several important infrastructure projects, including the Mexico City drainage system and the Veracruz-Mexico City railway.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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La families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the La 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 2 Las recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 2 Las recorded in 1881 and an index of 186.92x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 2 186.92x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 1

FAQ

La surname: questions and answers

How common was the La surname in 1881?

In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the La surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the La surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 350 in 2016. That gives La a modern rank of #13,152.

What does the La surname mean?

A French topographic surname referring to someone who lived near or on a moor or heath.

What does the La map show?

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