NameCensus.

UK surname

Lama

A Tibetan surname referring to a spiritual leader or priest, derived from the Tibetan word "bla-ma."

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Lama surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 449, ranked #10,816, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Reading, Worthing and Winchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lama is 449 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6314.3%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

449

2016, ranked #10,816

Peak year

2016

449 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lama had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016, ranked #10,816.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Lama surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lama surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lama 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 11 #32,452
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 76 #29,997
1998 modern 88 #29,131
1999 modern 105 #27,035
2000 modern 112 #25,978
2001 modern 115 #25,222
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 140 #22,634
2004 modern 148 #22,000
2005 modern 169 #20,153
2006 modern 199 #18,357
2007 modern 205 #18,194
2008 modern 227 #17,196
2009 modern 251 #16,368
2010 modern 298 #14,812
2011 modern 305 #14,439
2012 modern 374 #12,324
2013 modern 402 #11,871
2014 modern 417 #11,632
2015 modern 435 #11,120
2016 modern 449 #10,816

Geography

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Where Lamas 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 Reading, Worthing and Winchester. 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 Reading 007 Reading
2 Reading 008 Reading
3 Worthing 002 Worthing
4 Reading 011 Reading
5 Winchester 005 Winchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lama

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lama, 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 Lama surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Lama 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, Lama 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

Lama 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

Lama falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Lama

The surname Lama has its origins in Spain, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Spanish word "lama," which means "mud" or "sludge." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a muddy area or worked with mud.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Lama surname can be found in the Catalonian region of Spain, where it was spelled "Llama." This variation in spelling likely arose due to the influence of the Catalan language, which has a distinct pronunciation and spelling system.

In the 13th century, the name appears in several historical documents from the Kingdom of Aragon, such as land records and tax rolls. One notable figure bearing this surname was Pedro Lama, a merchant from Zaragoza who lived in the late 1200s.

As the name spread across Spain, it took on various spellings, including "Llama," "Lhama," and "Lama." This diversity in spelling reflects the regional variations in language and dialects within the country.

In the 16th century, the Lama surname gained prominence with the birth of Juan de Lama (1510-1583), a Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied Francisco Pizarro on his expeditions to South America. Juan de Lama played a crucial role in the conquest of Peru and is remembered for his detailed accounts of the Inca Empire.

Another notable figure with the Lama surname was Bartolomé Lama (1560-1625), a Spanish painter and sculptor from Seville. His works, which included religious art and portraiture, can be found in churches and museums across Spain.

During the colonial era, the Lama surname traveled to the Americas with Spanish settlers and explorers. One such individual was Diego de Lama (1620-1688), a Spanish soldier and administrator who served as the governor of the Philippines from 1673 to 1678.

In the 19th century, José María Lama (1785-1853) was a prominent figure in the Spanish American Wars of Independence. He was a military leader and statesman who played a crucial role in the liberation of Venezuela from Spanish rule.

Over the centuries, the Lama surname has been carried by many individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, and political figures. While its origins may have been humble, the name has evolved to hold a rich historical legacy spanning continents and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lama families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lama 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. Yorkshire leads with 3 Lamas recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.18x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 3 5.18x
Middlesex 2 3.42x
Surrey 1 3.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Drypool in Yorkshire leads with 3 Lamas recorded in 1881 and an index of 3333.33x.

Place Total Index
Drypool 3 3333.33x
Kensington London 2 61.54x
Camberwell 1 26.81x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Dominico 1
Robert 1
William 1

FAQ

Lama surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lama surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Lama surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 449 in 2016. That gives Lama a modern rank of #10,816.

What does the Lama surname mean?

A Tibetan surname referring to a spiritual leader or priest, derived from the Tibetan word "bla-ma."

What does the Lama map show?

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