NameCensus.

UK surname

Luca

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone from the city of Lucca.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Luca surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 388, ranked #12,133, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include IZ05, Harrow and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Luca is 388 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12833.3%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

388

2016, ranked #12,133

Peak year

2016

388 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Luca had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 388 in 2016, ranked #12,133.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 79 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Luca surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Luca surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Luca 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 79 #23,702
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 41 #31,095
1901 historical 14 #32,506
1911 historical 19 #31,416
1997 modern 53 #32,329
1998 modern 51 #32,816
1999 modern 59 #32,174
2000 modern 71 #31,082
2001 modern 57 #32,275
2002 modern 61 #32,286
2003 modern 55 #32,895
2004 modern 68 #31,880
2005 modern 87 #29,966
2006 modern 92 #29,576
2007 modern 102 #28,351
2008 modern 117 #26,351
2009 modern 144 #23,577
2010 modern 172 #21,404
2011 modern 174 #21,096
2012 modern 241 #16,925
2013 modern 266 #16,098
2014 modern 297 #14,943
2015 modern 348 #13,221
2016 modern 388 #12,133

Geography

Back to top

Where Lucas 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 IZ05, Harrow, Newham and Barking and Dagenham. 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 IZ05 East Lothian
2 Harrow 007 Harrow
3 Newham 029 Newham
4 Newham 022 Newham
5 Barking and Dagenham 001 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Luca

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Luca

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

Luca 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

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

Meaning and origin of Luca

The surname Luca has its origins in Italy, where it first appeared in medieval times. It is derived from the Latin name "Lucas," which itself comes from the Greek name "Loukas," meaning "from Lucania." Lucania was an ancient region in southern Italy, indicating that the name may have originated from that area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Luca can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of Lombard documents from the 8th century. This suggests that the name was already in use during the Lombard rule in Italy.

In the 11th century, the name appears in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This indicates that individuals bearing the surname Luca had migrated to England by that time.

The surname Luca is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest was Girolamo Luca (c.1482-1556), an Italian jurist and author who wrote extensively on legal matters. Another prominent individual was Giovanni Battista Luca (1614-1683), an Italian painter and engraver known for his religious works.

In the literary world, Carlo Luca (1805-1881) was an Italian poet and playwright who gained recognition for his romantic and satirical writings. Meanwhile, Giuseppe Luca (1876-1960) was an Italian opera singer and vocal teacher who performed in several famous opera houses across Europe.

Luca was also the surname of Ignazio Luca (1892-1945), an Italian soldier and politician who served as a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. During World War II, he was executed by Italian partisans for his support of the Fascist regime.

Throughout history, variations of the surname Luca have included Lucca, Lucche, and Lucchi, which may have originated from the city of Lucca in Tuscany. Additionally, the surname has been associated with various place names, such as Luca di Pietrasanta and Luca di Montefalco, reflecting the geographic origins of different branches of the family.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Luca families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Luca 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. Warwickshire leads with 2 Lucas recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.14x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 2 27.14x
Fife 1 57.80x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 2 Lucas recorded in 1881 and an index of 98.52x.

Place Total Index
Aston 2 98.52x
Scoonie 1 2500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Phoebe 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 1

FAQ

Luca surname: questions and answers

How common was the Luca surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Luca surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Luca surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 388 in 2016. That gives Luca a modern rank of #12,133.

What does the Luca surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone from the city of Lucca.

What does the Luca map show?

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