NameCensus.

UK surname

Ma

A Chinese surname meaning "horse" or referring to someone who took care of horses.

In the 1881 census there were 67 people recorded with the Ma surname, ranking it #24,104 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,351, ranked #4,463, up from #24,104 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cambridge, Hart and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ma is 1,351 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1916.4%.

1881 census count

67

Ranked #24,104

Modern count

1,351

2016, ranked #4,463

Peak year

2016

1,351 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ma had 67 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,104 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,351 in 2016, ranked #4,463.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 67 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ma surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ma surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ma 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 4 #32,658
1881 historical 67 #24,104
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1997 modern 497 #9,340
1998 modern 550 #8,937
1999 modern 593 #8,508
2000 modern 621 #8,225
2001 modern 605 #8,249
2002 modern 670 #7,772
2003 modern 658 #7,764
2004 modern 686 #7,517
2005 modern 748 #6,975
2006 modern 807 #6,583
2007 modern 891 #6,135
2008 modern 903 #6,117
2009 modern 881 #6,374
2010 modern 921 #6,275
2011 modern 1,000 #5,827
2012 modern 1,114 #5,237
2013 modern 1,221 #4,919
2014 modern 1,266 #4,797
2015 modern 1,295 #4,650
2016 modern 1,351 #4,463

Geography

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Where Mas 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 Cambridge, Hart, Birmingham and Southwark. 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 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
2 Hart 008 Hart
3 Birmingham 096 Birmingham
4 Southwark 003 Southwark
5 Southwark 004 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ma

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ma, 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 Ma surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Ma 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Ma is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ma 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

Ma falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ma 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 - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Ma

The surname "Ma" is believed to have originated in China, with its roots dating back several centuries. This monosyllabic name is thought to have derived from the Chinese word "马" (mǎ), which means "horse" in Mandarin Chinese. It is likely that the surname was initially associated with individuals who worked with horses or had a connection to equestrian activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Ma" can be found in historical records from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). During this period, the name appeared in various imperial records and official documents, indicating its widespread use among certain families and clans.

In ancient China, surnames were often derived from characteristics, occupations, or geographical locations associated with the family's origins. The "Ma" surname may have originated from a place name related to horses or a region known for its equestrian traditions.

Over the centuries, the "Ma" surname has been associated with several notable figures in Chinese history. One of the most prominent individuals bearing this name was Ma Yuan (c. 1165-1225), a renowned Chinese painter and poet during the Southern Song Dynasty. His works, particularly his landscape paintings, are highly regarded and have left a lasting impact on Chinese art.

Another significant historical figure with the surname "Ma" was Ma Lin (1245-1328), a prominent scholar, poet, and calligrapher of the Yuan Dynasty. He was renowned for his literary works and his contributions to the development of Chinese calligraphy.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the "Ma" surname gained further prominence with Ma Zhi (1459-1528), a renowned military strategist and general who played a crucial role in suppressing several rebellions and defending the empire's borders.

In more recent history, Ma Ying-jeou (born 1950) is a notable figure who served as the President of Taiwan from 2008 to 2016. His tenure was marked by efforts to improve cross-strait relations with mainland China.

Throughout its long history, the surname "Ma" has been present in various regions of China, reflecting the mobility and dispersal of families over time. While its origins can be traced back to ancient times, the name continues to be widely used and recognized in modern Chinese society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ma families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ma 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. Middlesex leads with 4 Mas recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.88x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 5.88x
Derbyshire 1 9.38x
Durham 1 4.94x
Surrey 1 3.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Willesden in Middlesex leads with 2 Mas recorded in 1881 and an index of 312.50x.

Place Total Index
Willesden 2 312.50x
Bishop Auckland 1 370.37x
Mickleover 1 3333.33x
Newington 1 39.84x
Paddington London 1 40.00x
Shoreditch London 1 33.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Ellen 1
H. 1
Martha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Michael 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Ma households.

FAQ

Ma surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ma surname in 1881?

In 1881, 67 people were recorded with the Ma surname. That placed it at #24,104 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ma surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,351 in 2016. That gives Ma a modern rank of #4,463.

What does the Ma surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "horse" or referring to someone who took care of horses.

What does the Ma map show?

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