NameCensus.

UK surname

Maia

A Portuguese surname derived from the Latin word "maior" meaning "greater" or "elder".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Peterborough, South Somerset and Corby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maia is 170 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

170

2016, ranked #21,801

Peak year

2016

170 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 170 in 2016, ranked #21,801.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Maia surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Maia surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maia 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 4 #33,628
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 16 #36,292
1998 modern 15 #36,457
1999 modern 17 #36,261
2000 modern 26 #35,295
2001 modern 25 #35,248
2002 modern 37 #34,390
2003 modern 37 #34,432
2004 modern 43 #34,149
2005 modern 53 #33,528
2006 modern 75 #31,733
2007 modern 79 #31,628
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 110 #27,991
2010 modern 122 #26,876
2011 modern 111 #28,294
2012 modern 128 #25,852
2013 modern 147 #23,977
2014 modern 156 #23,231
2015 modern 160 #22,701
2016 modern 170 #21,801

Geography

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Where Maias 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 Peterborough, South Somerset, Corby and Wandsworth. 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 Peterborough 014 Peterborough
2 South Somerset 022 South Somerset
3 South Somerset 023 South Somerset
4 Corby 009 Corby
5 Wandsworth 034 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maia

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

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Maia is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Maia 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

Maia falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Maia is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Maia

The surname MAIA is believed to have originated in Portugal, where it dates back to the 15th century. It is thought to be derived from the Latin word "maius," meaning "greater" or "larger," and may have been given as a nickname to someone of considerable stature or importance.

One of the earliest known bearers of the MAIA surname was João MAIA, a prominent merchant who lived in Lisbon in the late 15th century. Records show that he was involved in the lucrative spice trade with India and other parts of Asia.

Another notable figure was Pedro MAIA, a 16th-century Portuguese explorer who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on the first circumnavigation of the globe. MAIA was one of the few survivors of this historic voyage, which lasted from 1519 to 1522.

The MAIA surname can also be found in several ancient Portuguese place names, such as Maia, a municipality in the district of Porto, and Maiato, a parish in the district of Aveiro. These locations may have played a role in the origin and spread of the name.

In the 17th century, the MAIA surname appears in various historical documents related to the Portuguese colonization of Brazil. One prominent figure was Manuel MAIA, a wealthy landowner and sugar plantation owner who lived in the state of Pernambuco.

Another notable bearer of the MAIA surname was José Gomes MAIA, a 19th-century Brazilian poet and journalist who was a key figure in the Romantic movement in Brazilian literature. He was born in 1821 and died in 1892.

Throughout history, the MAIA surname has been carried by numerous individuals of note, including artists, writers, politicians, and military leaders. These include Manoel Teixeira MAIA, a 19th-century Brazilian painter known for his landscapes and portraits, and António MAIA, a 20th-century Portuguese writer and journalist who was active during the country's Estado Novo regime.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Maia surname: questions and answers

How common is the Maia surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 170 in 2016. That gives Maia a modern rank of #21,801.

What does the Maia surname mean?

A Portuguese surname derived from the Latin word "maior" meaning "greater" or "elder".

What does the Maia map show?

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