NameCensus.

UK surname

Marra

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone who worked with wood, such as a carpenter or woodcutter.

In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Marra surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 179, ranked #21,086, up from #26,869 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Broxbourne and Westminster.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Marra is 179 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 272.9%.

1881 census count

48

Ranked #26,869

Modern count

179

2016, ranked #21,086

Peak year

2016

179 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Marra had 48 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,869 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016, ranked #21,086.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 59 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Marra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Marra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Marra 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 34 #27,194
1861 historical 49 #27,768
1881 historical 48 #26,869
1891 historical 48 #30,447
1901 historical 59 #27,609
1911 historical 48 #28,006
1997 modern 144 #21,660
1998 modern 137 #22,922
1999 modern 151 #21,740
2000 modern 147 #22,081
2001 modern 143 #22,133
2002 modern 146 #22,302
2003 modern 142 #22,460
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 153 #21,490
2006 modern 144 #22,520
2007 modern 153 #21,912
2008 modern 150 #22,429
2009 modern 156 #22,351
2010 modern 161 #22,385
2011 modern 163 #21,983
2012 modern 158 #22,460
2013 modern 169 #21,826
2014 modern 172 #21,731
2015 modern 177 #21,220
2016 modern 179 #21,086

Geography

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Where Marras 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 Broxbourne and Westminster. 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 Broxbourne 007 Broxbourne
2 Broxbourne 008 Broxbourne
3 Westminster 002 Westminster
4 Broxbourne 010 Broxbourne
5 Broxbourne 011 Broxbourne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Marra

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Marra

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Marra is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Marra 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

Marra falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Marra 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 Marra, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Marra

The surname Marra is of Italian origin, with its roots traced back to the Italian regions of Calabria and Sicily. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word 'marra,' which means a type of hoe or mattock, a tool used for digging and cultivating the soil. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname, referring to individuals who worked as farmers or agricultural laborers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Marra surname can be found in the 'Codice Diplomatico Barese,' a collection of historical documents from the city of Bari in southern Italy, dating back to the 11th century. This document mentions individuals with the surname Marra, indicating the name's presence in the region during the medieval period.

In the 14th century, the Marra family played a significant role in the history of Naples, with members holding influential positions within the royal court. Notably, Muzio Marra served as the Grand Chancellor of the Kingdom of Naples under King Robert of Anjou in the early 1300s.

Another prominent figure bearing the Marra surname was Gian Battista Marra, an Italian astronomer and mathematician born in Genoa in 1537. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and was responsible for mapping the positions of numerous stars and celestial bodies.

During the Renaissance period, the Marra family produced several notable artists and architects. One such figure was Francesco Marra, a 16th-century painter and architect from Naples, known for his works in churches and palaces throughout the city.

In the literary realm, Giacomo Marra, born in Naples in 1619, was a renowned poet and playwright. His works, including tragedies and comedies, were widely celebrated during the Baroque period in Italy.

Moving forward in time, Giuseppe Marra, born in Palermo, Sicily, in 1796, was a prominent Italian politician and statesman. He served as the Minister of Public Works and later as the Minister of the Interior during the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in the mid-19th century.

While the Marra surname has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world, carried by Italian immigrants and their descendants. However, its rich history and cultural significance remain deeply rooted in the Italian regions where it originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Marra families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Marra 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. Angus leads with 20 Marras recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.42x.

County Total Index
Angus 20 43.42x
Lancashire 15 2.54x
Middlesex 3 0.60x
Yorkshire 3 0.61x
Surrey 2 0.83x
Warwickshire 2 1.59x
Essex 1 1.02x
Hampshire 1 0.98x
Isle of Man 1 10.83x
Royal Navy 1 16.86x
Sussex 1 1.19x
West Lothian 1 13.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 14 Marras recorded in 1881 and an index of 81.40x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 14 81.40x
Oldham 9 47.27x
Liff Benvie 6 85.84x
Accrington 5 93.28x
Bradford 2 16.76x
Heston 2 121.21x
Lambeth 2 4.61x
Salford Priors 2 1428.57x
Boness 1 97.09x
Bradfield 1 52.63x
Brighton 1 5.91x
Farnborough 1 93.46x
Manchester 1 3.77x
Onchan 1 37.59x
Royal Navy 1 19.76x
St Andrew Holborn 1 59.17x
West Tilbury 1 1666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ann 2
Eliza 1
Margaret 1
Margarett 1
Margt. 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
James 2
Cornelious 1
Daniel 1
Hugh 1
Jos. 1
Joseph 1
Michael 1
Milirini 1
Patrick 1
Peter 1
Thomas 1
Tom 1
William 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 Marra households.

FAQ

Marra surname: questions and answers

How common was the Marra surname in 1881?

In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Marra surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Marra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 179 in 2016. That gives Marra a modern rank of #21,086.

What does the Marra surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone who worked with wood, such as a carpenter or woodcutter.

What does the Marra map show?

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