NameCensus.

UK surname

Maya

A surname of Hebrew origin meaning "water" or "spring," or a Sanskrit name meaning "illusion."

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Maya surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 180, ranked #21,022, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bath and North East Somerset, Haringey and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Maya is 180 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2900.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

180

2016, ranked #21,022

Peak year

2016

180 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Maya had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 180 in 2016, ranked #21,022.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 71 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Maya surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Maya surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Maya 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 13 #30,970
1861 historical 71 #24,765
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1901 historical 10 #33,026
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 55 #32,114
1998 modern 55 #32,399
1999 modern 50 #33,041
2000 modern 51 #32,999
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 65 #31,903
2003 modern 78 #30,654
2004 modern 85 #30,132
2005 modern 95 #28,817
2006 modern 100 #28,283
2007 modern 103 #28,187
2008 modern 109 #27,533
2009 modern 124 #25,957
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 126 #26,060
2012 modern 142 #24,148
2013 modern 157 #22,904
2014 modern 161 #22,728
2015 modern 171 #21,729
2016 modern 180 #21,022

Geography

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Where Mayas 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 Bath and North East Somerset, Haringey, Manchester, Leicester and East Staffordshire. 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 Bath and North East Somerset 006 Bath and North East Somerset
2 Haringey 011 Haringey
3 Manchester 008 Manchester
4 Leicester 026 Leicester
5 East Staffordshire 003 East Staffordshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Maya

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

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

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Maya is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Maya 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

Maya 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 Maya 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 Maya, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Maya

The surname Maya originated in India, likely dating back to the 16th century or earlier. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "maya," which means "illusion" or "magic." This name was likely given to individuals who were skilled in the arts of illusion or magic, or perhaps those who had a mystical or spiritual quality about them.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Maya surname can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century document written during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text mentions several individuals with the Maya surname who held positions in the imperial court.

The Maya surname also appears in various historical texts and records from different regions of India, such as the Rajputana and Maharashtra areas. Some notable individuals with this surname include:

1. Maya Danava, a powerful asura (demon) mentioned in Hindu mythology, who is said to have battled against the gods. 2. Maya Singh (1932-2001), an Indian politician and social activist who served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's parliament. 3. Maya Nair (1924-2012), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to the arts. 4. Maya Krishna Rao (1924-2013), an Indian writer and translator who was known for her works in Kannada and English literature. 5. Maya Angelou (1928-2014), an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist who is widely celebrated for her literary works, including "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

It's worth noting that while the Maya surname has its roots in India, it has also been adopted by individuals from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds around the world, particularly in regions with historical ties to Indian culture and migration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Maya families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Maya 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. Kent leads with 3 Mayas recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.05x.

County Total Index
Kent 3 15.05x
Devon 1 8.22x
Glamorgan 1 9.83x
Sussex 1 10.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cliffe in Kent leads with 3 Mayas recorded in 1881 and an index of 7500.00x.

Place Total Index
Cliffe 3 7500.00x
Brighton 1 50.25x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 106.38x
Ystradyfodwg 1 112.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Hannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 1
John 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 Maya households.

FAQ

Maya surname: questions and answers

How common was the Maya surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Maya surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Maya surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 180 in 2016. That gives Maya a modern rank of #21,022.

What does the Maya surname mean?

A surname of Hebrew origin meaning "water" or "spring," or a Sanskrit name meaning "illusion."

What does the Maya map show?

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