UK surname
A Spanish surname derived from the word "lama," meaning a muddy or swampy place.
In the 1881 census there were 34 people recorded with the Lamas surname, ranking it #28,837 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 43, ranked #35,285, down from #28,837 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Tideswell and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lamas is 117 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.5%.
1881 census count
34
Ranked #28,837
Modern count
43
2016, ranked #35,285
Peak year
1861
117 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Lamas surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Lamas surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 24 | #29,038 |
| 1861 | historical | 117 | #18,635 |
| 1881 | historical | 34 | #28,837 |
| 1891 | historical | 56 | #29,638 |
| 1901 | historical | 22 | #31,562 |
| 1911 | historical | 48 | #28,006 |
| 1997 | modern | 24 | #35,376 |
| 1998 | modern | 23 | #35,603 |
| 1999 | modern | 20 | #35,923 |
| 2000 | modern | 22 | #35,684 |
| 2001 | modern | 24 | #35,357 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 23 | #35,650 |
| 2004 | modern | 24 | #35,697 |
| 2005 | modern | 25 | #35,752 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 27 | #35,876 |
| 2008 | modern | 34 | #35,502 |
| 2009 | modern | 35 | #35,545 |
| 2010 | modern | 47 | #35,009 |
| 2011 | modern | 40 | #35,395 |
| 2012 | modern | 42 | #35,269 |
| 2013 | modern | 40 | #35,439 |
| 2014 | modern | 44 | #35,241 |
| 2015 | modern | 43 | #35,269 |
| 2016 | modern | 43 | #35,285 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Tideswell, Eccles, Manchester and Ormskirk. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Tideswell | Derbyshire |
| 3 | Eccles | Lancashire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Ormskirk | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Lamas surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Lamas, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Lamas surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Lamas household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Lamas is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lamas is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Lamas, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Lamas originates from Portugal and Spain, dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "lama," meaning "mud" or "marsh," suggesting that the name initially referred to someone living near a marshy area or someone who worked with mud or clay.
The earliest recorded instances of the Lamas surname can be found in Portuguese and Spanish medieval records. In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing this name was Pedro de Lamas, a Portuguese explorer and navigator who participated in the expeditions to Africa and India.
During the 17th century, the Lamas surname gained prominence in Spain, particularly in the region of Galicia. One notable figure from this era was Juan de Lamas, a Spanish military officer who served in the Spanish Armada and participated in the Battle of Gravelines in 1588.
In the 18th century, the Lamas surname spread to Spanish colonies in the Americas. One notable bearer of this name was José Antonio de Lamas, a Spanish-born military officer who served as the Governor of Puerto Rico from 1782 to 1786.
The 19th century saw the Lamas surname gain recognition in the field of literature. One prominent figure was Juán Lamas, a Venezuelan poet and writer born in 1828. His works played a significant role in the development of Venezuelan literature.
Another notable figure with the Lamas surname was Tomás Lamas, an Argentine diplomat and politician born in 1819. He served as the Foreign Minister of Argentina and played a crucial role in the formation of the Argentine National Constitution of 1853.
In the 20th century, the Lamas surname gained international recognition through the actor and dancer, Fernando Lamas. Born in 1915 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was a popular leading man in Hollywood films during the 1940s and 1950s, known for his suave and debonair persona.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lamas surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 9 Lamas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 9 | 2.43x |
| Worcestershire | 8 | 16.54x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 5.60x |
| Isle of Man | 4 | 58.14x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 3.67x |
| Essex | 3 | 4.10x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.54x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.79x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.55x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dudley in Worcestershire leads with 8 Lamas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 136.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dudley | 8 | 136.05x |
| Wolverhampton | 7 | 72.84x |
| Limehouse London | 4 | 98.28x |
| Onchan | 4 | 202.02x |
| Hackney London | 3 | 14.44x |
| Stockport | 3 | 71.26x |
| West Ham | 3 | 18.59x |
| St Botolph Bishopsgate | 2 | 384.62x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 13.89x |
| Middlesbrough | 1 | 20.92x |
| Milton In Gravesend | 1 | 52.63x |
| Southwark St Saviour | 1 | 52.63x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Lamas surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Lamas surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
FAQ
In 1881, 34 people were recorded with the Lamas surname. That placed it at #28,837 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 43 in 2016. That gives Lamas a modern rank of #35,285.
A Spanish surname derived from the word "lama," meaning a muddy or swampy place.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Lamas bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.