NameCensus.

UK surname

Lala

A surname of Hindi origin referring to someone who was an affectionate or loving person.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolton, Leicester and Solihull.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lala is 437 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

437

2016, ranked #11,045

Peak year

2016

437 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 437 in 2016, ranked #11,045.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Lala surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lala surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lala 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 4 #33,628
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 133 #22,705
1998 modern 154 #21,316
1999 modern 166 #20,458
2000 modern 165 #20,501
2001 modern 167 #20,060
2002 modern 194 #18,651
2003 modern 190 #18,683
2004 modern 217 #17,276
2005 modern 223 #16,938
2006 modern 233 #16,560
2007 modern 249 #15,943
2008 modern 285 #14,647
2009 modern 289 #14,809
2010 modern 307 #14,485
2011 modern 316 #14,092
2012 modern 362 #12,615
2013 modern 379 #12,399
2014 modern 412 #11,743
2015 modern 409 #11,713
2016 modern 437 #11,045

Geography

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Where Lalas 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 Bolton, Leicester and Solihull. 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 Bolton 011 Bolton
2 Leicester 017 Leicester
3 Solihull 011 Solihull
4 Bolton 008 Bolton
5 Leicester 010 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lala

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

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Lala 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

Lala 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

Lala 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 Lala 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Lala

The surname LALA has its origins in India, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "lala," which means "beloved" or "cherished." This name was often given as a term of endearment or affection.

During the Mughal era in India, the LALA surname was prevalent among the Hindu community, particularly in the northern regions of the subcontinent. Some early references to the name can be found in Persian manuscripts and administrative records from that period.

One of the earliest documented instances of the LALA surname is in a 16th-century land ownership record from the city of Lahore, now in modern-day Pakistan. The record mentions a landowner named Lala Bhaghwan Das, indicating the use of the name as a surname during that time.

In the 18th century, a renowned poet and writer named Lala Suku was born in the city of Agra. His works, which included poetry and prose, were widely celebrated and contributed to the literary landscape of the region.

Another notable figure with the LALA surname was Lala Lajpat Rai (1865-1928), a prominent Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Indian National Congress. He played a significant role in the struggle for India's independence from British rule.

Lala Amarnath (1911-2000), a legendary Indian cricketer, was also part of this lineage. He was one of the earliest Indian cricketers to achieve international recognition and is considered one of the greatest batsmen in the history of Indian cricket.

During the 19th century, the LALA surname gained prominence in the region of Punjab, where many families adopted it as a mark of their Hindu heritage and identity. One such individual was Lala Munshiram (1823-1898), a prominent businessman and philanthropist who founded several educational institutions in the region.

The LALA surname has also been associated with place names in India, such as Lala Musa, a town located in the Gujrat district of Punjab, Pakistan. This town was named after a revered Sufi saint, Lala Musa, who lived in the 16th century.

While the LALA surname has its roots in India, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language and the cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Lala surname: questions and answers

How common is the Lala surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 437 in 2016. That gives Lala a modern rank of #11,045.

What does the Lala surname mean?

A surname of Hindi origin referring to someone who was an affectionate or loving person.

What does the Lala map show?

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