NameCensus.

UK surname

Mara

Of Irish origin, referring to a person who was a descendant of Mara, meaning "of the sea."

In the 1881 census there were 282 people recorded with the Mara surname, ranking it #10,148 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 376, ranked #12,437, down from #10,148 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Solihull, Leeds and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mara is 386 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 33.3%.

1881 census count

282

Ranked #10,148

Modern count

376

2016, ranked #12,437

Peak year

2009

386 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mara had 282 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,148 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 376 in 2016, ranked #12,437.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 301 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Mara surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mara surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mara 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 117 #15,456
1861 historical 173 #13,553
1881 historical 282 #10,148
1891 historical 301 #11,092
1901 historical 248 #13,204
1911 historical 267 #12,360
1997 modern 296 #13,646
1998 modern 323 #13,211
1999 modern 322 #13,335
2000 modern 327 #13,164
2001 modern 326 #13,006
2002 modern 331 #13,115
2003 modern 322 #13,192
2004 modern 344 #12,597
2005 modern 351 #12,343
2006 modern 344 #12,600
2007 modern 359 #12,356
2008 modern 370 #12,182
2009 modern 386 #12,044
2010 modern 386 #12,330
2011 modern 356 #12,943
2012 modern 356 #12,784
2013 modern 385 #12,270
2014 modern 385 #12,340
2015 modern 376 #12,446
2016 modern 376 #12,437

Geography

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Where Maras are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Manchester, Lambeth and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Solihull, Leeds, Rotherham, Castle Point and Hyndburn. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Solihull 024 Solihull
2 Leeds 064 Leeds
3 Rotherham 014 Rotherham
4 Castle Point 012 Castle Point
5 Hyndburn 007 Hyndburn

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mara

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mara

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Mara surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mara 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Mara is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mara 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

Mara falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mara is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Mara

The surname MARA is believed to have originated in Italy, with its roots tracing back to ancient Rome. The name is derived from the Latin word 'mara,' which means 'bitter' or 'sea.' It was initially used as a nickname or a descriptive term for someone with a bitter or salty personality or someone who lived near the sea.

During the Middle Ages, the name MARA began to appear in various Italian records and documents. One of the earliest known references can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Cavensis, a collection of medieval charters and diplomas from the Monastery of Cava in southern Italy, dating back to the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name MARA was mentioned in the Libro Vecchio di Firenze, an ancient record book of the city of Florence, which documented the names of prominent citizens and families. One notable individual from this period was Mara Agolanti (c. 1220-1290), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Florence.

As the name spread throughout Italy, it also took on various regional spellings and variations, such as Marra, Marri, and Marras. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and linguistic traditions.

In the 15th century, the name MARA gained further prominence with the birth of Mara Sforza (1451-1499), a member of the powerful Sforza dynasty that ruled Milan. She was renowned for her beauty and intelligence and played a significant role in the political and cultural life of Renaissance Italy.

Another notable bearer of the MARA surname was Giacomo Mara (1670-1738), an Italian painter and architect from Piedmont. He was renowned for his work on several churches and palaces in Turin and other parts of northern Italy.

Throughout the centuries, the MARA surname has spread beyond Italy to other parts of Europe and the world, carried by Italian immigrants and their descendants. Some notable individuals with this surname include Dora Mara (1934-2015), a Brazilian actress and singer, and Alfredo Mara (1910-1991), an Italian-American boxer and actor.

While the MARA surname may have evolved and taken on different meanings and connotations over time, its Italian roots and rich history remain an integral part of its identity, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage and traditions of the Italian peninsula.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mara families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mara 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 89 Maras recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.64x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 89 2.64x
Middlesex 62 2.18x
Yorkshire 24 0.85x
Surrey 21 1.52x
Glamorgan 19 3.84x
Hampshire 11 1.89x
Kent 11 1.14x
Angus 10 3.80x
Channel Islands 8 9.51x
Northumberland 6 1.42x
Durham 5 0.59x
Essex 5 0.89x
Cumberland 4 1.64x
Lanarkshire 4 0.44x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.78x
Warwickshire 3 0.42x
Devon 2 0.34x
Dorset 1 0.54x
Monmouthshire 1 0.49x
Royal Navy 1 2.96x
Shropshire 1 0.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 17 Maras recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.31x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 17 8.31x
Merthyr Tydfil 16 33.68x
St Gilesin Fields 14 848.48x
Bootle Cum Linacre 11 41.12x
Manchester 11 7.26x
Dundee 10 10.19x
Chiswick 9 58.03x
Burnley 8 28.21x
Kimberworth 8 51.25x
Lambeth 8 3.23x
St Helier 8 29.22x
St Marylebone London 8 5.28x
Deptford St Paul 7 9.37x
Mile End Old Town 7 15.63x
Berwick Upon Tweed 6 67.04x
Chorlton On Medlock 6 11.21x
Paddington London 6 5.75x
Portsea 6 5.26x
Beswick 5 58.07x
Blackburn 5 5.58x
Hutton Henry 5 280.90x
Kensington London 5 3.17x
Radcliffe 5 30.79x
Southwark St Saviour 5 34.27x
Barony 4 1.72x
Church Coniston 4 425.53x
Cleator 4 39.33x
Hammersmith London 4 5.72x
Holy Trinity 4 5.91x
Kirkdale 4 7.06x
Oldham 4 3.68x
Sheffield 4 4.47x
West Ham 4 3.23x
Halifax 3 7.27x
Hulme 3 4.27x
Leckwith 3 258.62x
Nottingham St Mary 3 3.03x
Ardwick 2 6.58x
Birmingham 2 0.84x
Farnborough 2 32.73x
Hampstead London 2 4.52x
Horsforth 2 32.41x
Putney 2 15.46x
Sutton 2 19.98x
Toxteth Park 2 1.75x
Bermondsey 1 1.18x
Camberwell 1 0.55x
Canterbury St Augustine 1 285.71x
Colchester St Giles 1 18.05x
Croydon 1 1.30x
Dewsbury 1 3.47x
East Woodhay 1 67.11x
Exeter Allhallows On The 1 103.09x
Finchley 1 9.19x
Greenwich 1 2.21x
Hound 1 25.32x
Ilkley 1 21.74x
Nether Hallam 1 2.63x
Norwood 1 15.41x
Old Stratford 1 24.69x
Plumstead 1 3.10x
Plymouth Charles The 1 3.84x
Portland 1 9.98x
Portsmouth 1 7.46x
Risca 1 25.84x
Royal Navy 1 3.46x
Shrewsbury St Mary 1 10.33x
St Anne Soho London 1 6.17x
St George Hanover 1 2.70x
St Martin In Fields 1 5.89x
Walton On Hill 1 5.48x
Wandsworth 1 3.66x
Wardleworth 1 5.19x
Whitechapel London 1 3.57x
Whitefriars Precinct 1 222.22x
Woolwich 1 2.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Elizabeth 10
Margaret 10
Bridget 8
Alice 5
Ann 5
Catherine 5
Ellen 5
Jane 4
Agnes 3
Anne 3
Annie 3
Emily 3
Kate 3
Sarah 3
Frances 2
Honora 2
Julia 2
Anastasia 1
Augusta 1
Betsy 1
Cathr. 1
Clara 1
David 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elenn 1
Eleoner 1
Eliza 1
Florence 1
Helen 1
Ida 1
Johanna 1
Laura 1
Lavinia 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Maggie 1
Maria 1
Marion 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Nora 1
Norah 1
Rebecca 1
Rosana 1
Rose 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 23
Thomas 17
James 14
Michael 11
William 9
Patrick 8
Daniel 4
George 4
Charles 3
Edward 3
Robert 3
Timothy 3
Frank 2
Jas. 2
Jeremiah 2
Newrie 2
Richard 2
Adolph 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Cornelius 1
Denis 1
Edw. 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Harrey 1
Henry 1
Jeramia 1
Jno. 1
Joseph 1
Leonard 1
MC 1
Michal 1
Mike 1
Patsy 1
Percy 1
Stephen 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Mara surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mara surname in 1881?

In 1881, 282 people were recorded with the Mara surname. That placed it at #10,148 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mara surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 376 in 2016. That gives Mara a modern rank of #12,437.

What does the Mara surname mean?

Of Irish origin, referring to a person who was a descendant of Mara, meaning "of the sea."

What does the Mara map show?

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