NameCensus.

UK surname

Mar

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "one who passes by" or "one who is transient."

In the 1881 census there were 63 people recorded with the Mar surname, ranking it #24,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 129, ranked #26,270, down from #24,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sutton, North Hertfordshire and Cheshire East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mar is 129 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 104.8%.

1881 census count

63

Ranked #24,711

Modern count

129

2016, ranked #26,270

Peak year

2016

129 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mar had 63 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016, ranked #26,270.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 89 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mar 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 89 #18,446
1881 historical 63 #24,711
1891 historical 18 #32,706
1901 historical 46 #29,047
1997 modern 44 #33,275
1998 modern 36 #34,246
1999 modern 40 #33,967
2000 modern 40 #33,976
2001 modern 40 #33,842
2002 modern 44 #33,790
2003 modern 39 #34,296
2004 modern 45 #33,957
2005 modern 47 #34,011
2006 modern 51 #33,992
2007 modern 59 #33,634
2008 modern 59 #33,827
2009 modern 61 #33,915
2010 modern 74 #33,167
2011 modern 70 #33,465
2012 modern 98 #30,612
2013 modern 102 #30,415
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 129 #26,270

Geography

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Where Mars 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 Sutton, North Hertfordshire, Cheshire East and Ealing. 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 Sutton 006 Sutton
2 North Hertfordshire 004 North Hertfordshire
3 Cheshire East 037 Cheshire East
4 Cheshire East 046 Cheshire East
5 Ealing 039 Ealing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mar

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

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

Mar 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

Mar falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mar 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Mar

The surname Mar has its origins in the Spanish region of Aragon, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "mare," meaning "sea," possibly referring to individuals who lived near the coastline or were involved in maritime activities.

In medieval Spain, the name Mar was particularly prevalent in the areas of Zaragoza and Teruel. It is recorded in various historical documents, such as the Fueros de Aragón, a collection of regional laws and privileges from the 13th century.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Mar can be found in the Cartulario de Poblet, a 12th-century manuscript from the Poblet Monastery in Catalonia. This document mentions a certain "Petrus de Mar" as a witness to a land transaction.

The Mar surname has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most prominent was Pedro Ruiz de Mar (c. 1400-1477), a Spanish military commander who served under King Juan II of Aragon and played a crucial role in the conquest of Naples.

Another notable bearer of the Mar surname was Beltrán de Mar (c. 1510-1585), a Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied Francisco Pizarro on his expeditions to Peru and participated in the conquest of the Inca Empire.

In the realm of literature, Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681), one of the most celebrated playwrights of the Spanish Golden Age, was born with the surname Mar, although he later adopted the more well-known "Calderón de la Barca" name.

The Mar surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Mar de Plata in Argentina, which translates to "Sea of Silver," and Castellmar, a municipality in the province of Castellón, Spain, derived from the combination of "castillo" (castle) and "mar" (sea).

Throughout the centuries, the Mar surname has undergone various spelling variations, including Marr, Marre, and Marres, but the core meaning and origins have remained consistent, reflecting the deep-rooted maritime heritage of this Spanish name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mar 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. Lancashire leads with 12 Mars recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.92x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 12 1.92x
Middlesex 10 1.90x
Midlothian 5 7.09x
East Lothian 4 57.31x
Northumberland 4 5.10x
Warwickshire 4 3.01x
Yorkshire 3 0.57x
Derbyshire 2 2.43x
Ross-shire 2 13.83x
Angus 1 2.05x
Denbighshire 1 5.03x
Lanarkshire 1 0.59x
Nottinghamshire 1 1.41x
Shropshire 1 2.20x
Staffordshire 1 0.56x
Surrey 1 0.39x
Sussex 1 1.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 4 Mars recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.04x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 4 9.04x
Kensington London 4 13.66x
Barrowford Booth 3 434.78x
Dunbar 3 306.12x
Liverpool 3 7.90x
North Leith 3 91.74x
Westgate 3 61.86x
Dewsbury 2 37.38x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 7.04x
Hornsey 2 30.03x
Lochbroom 2 263.16x
Mickleover 2 800.00x
St Martin In Fields 2 63.49x
Amble 1 277.78x
Barony 1 2.32x
Barrow In Furness 1 11.76x
Beeston 1 121.95x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 20.16x
Hove 1 25.64x
Murroes 1 714.29x
North Meols 1 16.34x
Oldham 1 4.96x
Over Darwen 1 20.04x
Reigate Foreign 1 35.97x
Salford 1 5.44x
Sheffield 1 6.02x
Shoreditch London 1 4.38x
Shrewsbury St Alkmond 1 400.00x
St Pancras London 1 2.36x
Tranent 1 106.38x
Wolverhampton 1 7.32x
Wrexham Abbot 1 200.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Loesa 2
Margaret 2
Sarah 2
Ann 1
Anna 1
Annie 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Christina 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Florenc 1
Gertrude 1
M. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 3
John 3
William 3
James 2
Thomas 2
Andrew 1
C... 1
Earnest 1
Ernest 1
Grafe 1
J. 1
Richard 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 Mar households.

FAQ

Mar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 63 people were recorded with the Mar surname. That placed it at #24,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016. That gives Mar a modern rank of #26,270.

What does the Mar surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "one who passes by" or "one who is transient."

What does the Mar map show?

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