NameCensus.

UK surname

Lanza

An Italian occupational surname referring to a soldier armed with a lance or spear.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Lanza surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 148, ranked #23,958, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, Braintree and Broxbourne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lanza is 164 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7300.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

148

2016, ranked #23,958

Peak year

2010

164 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Lanza had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016, ranked #23,958.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Lanza surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lanza surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Lanza 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 1 #34,435
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 106 #26,057
1998 modern 120 #24,793
1999 modern 130 #23,805
2000 modern 132 #23,562
2001 modern 130 #23,457
2002 modern 141 #22,794
2003 modern 141 #22,549
2004 modern 130 #23,902
2005 modern 129 #23,963
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 148 #22,406
2008 modern 149 #22,530
2009 modern 154 #22,536
2010 modern 164 #22,109
2011 modern 153 #22,996
2012 modern 156 #22,645
2013 modern 156 #23,004
2014 modern 154 #23,439
2015 modern 149 #23,817
2016 modern 148 #23,958

Geography

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Where Lanzas 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 Bolsover, Braintree, Broxbourne, Epping Forest and Fylde. 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 Bolsover 001 Bolsover
2 Braintree 013 Braintree
3 Broxbourne 002 Broxbourne
4 Epping Forest 007 Epping Forest
5 Fylde 006 Fylde

Forenames

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First names often paired with Lanza

These lists show first names that appear often with the Lanza surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Lanza

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

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Lanza surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Lanza 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 never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Lanza 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

Lanza 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

Lanza 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 Lanza 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 Lanza, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Lanza

The surname Lanza originated in Italy, specifically in the regions of Tuscany and Lombardy. It is derived from the Italian word "lancia," which means "lance" or "spear." This suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational name for a soldier or a person skilled in using a lance or a spear.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Lanza can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries in various Italian documents and records. One notable example is the mention of a Lanza family in the historical records of the city of Verona in the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the name Lanza appeared in the Florentine Catasto, a census-like document that recorded the names and properties of citizens in Florence. This indicates the presence of the Lanza family in the Tuscan region during that time.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Lanza was Giovanni Lanza (1451-1537), an Italian poet and humanist from Veneto. He was renowned for his Latin poetry and served as a diplomat for the Republic of Venice.

Another notable figure with this surname was Andrea Lanza (1628-1713), an Italian painter and architect from Sicily. He was known for his Baroque-style paintings and his architectural work on several churches in Palermo.

In the 19th century, Giovanni Lanza (1810-1882) was an Italian statesman and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1869 to 1873. He played a crucial role in the unification of Italy and the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy.

Another prominent individual with the surname Lanza was Pietro Lanza di Scalea (1828-1901), an Italian politician and nobleman from Sicily. He served as a member of the Italian Parliament and was known for his conservative political views.

In the 20th century, Mario Lanza (1921-1959) was an American tenor and film actor of Italian descent. He rose to fame for his operatic performances and his portrayal of operatic characters in several Hollywood films, including "The Great Caruso" and "Serenade."

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname Lanza throughout history, showcasing the name's Italian origin and its presence across various regions of Italy over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Lanza families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Lanza 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. Monmouthshire leads with 1 Lanzas recorded in 1881 and an index of 71.94x.

County Total Index
Monmouthshire 1 71.94x
Somerset 1 32.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newport in Monmouthshire leads with 1 Lanzas recorded in 1881 and an index of 1428.57x.

Place Total Index
Newport 1 1428.57x
Weston Super Mare 1 1250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Rosalia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Gio 1

FAQ

Lanza surname: questions and answers

How common was the Lanza surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Lanza surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Lanza surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016. That gives Lanza a modern rank of #23,958.

What does the Lanza surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a soldier armed with a lance or spear.

What does the Lanza map show?

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