NameCensus.

UK surname

Medina

A habitational surname referring to someone from any of the various places named Medina, meaning "city" in Arabic.

In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Medina surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 521, ranked #9,701, up from #32,416 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hammersmith and Fulham, Camden and Govanhill West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Medina is 521 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5688.9%.

1881 census count

9

Ranked #32,416

Modern count

521

2016, ranked #9,701

Peak year

2016

521 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Medina had 9 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,416 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016, ranked #9,701.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 45 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Medina surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Medina surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Medina 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 9 #32,416
1891 historical 18 #32,706
1901 historical 28 #30,951
1911 historical 45 #28,332
1997 modern 228 #16,211
1998 modern 249 #15,720
1999 modern 252 #15,707
2000 modern 259 #15,390
2001 modern 251 #15,483
2002 modern 272 #14,930
2003 modern 284 #14,331
2004 modern 305 #13,752
2005 modern 320 #13,243
2006 modern 333 #12,941
2007 modern 342 #12,809
2008 modern 357 #12,509
2009 modern 390 #11,950
2010 modern 416 #11,627
2011 modern 425 #11,285
2012 modern 471 #10,313
2013 modern 499 #10,034
2014 modern 512 #9,911
2015 modern 515 #9,807
2016 modern 521 #9,701

Geography

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Where Medinas 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 Hammersmith and Fulham, Camden, Govanhill West, Kensington and Chelsea 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 Hammersmith and Fulham 021 Hammersmith and Fulham
2 Camden 011 Camden
3 Govanhill West Glasgow City
4 Kensington and Chelsea 001 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Westminster 020 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Medina

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Medina is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Medina 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

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

Meaning and origin of Medina

The surname Medina originated in Spain and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Arabic word "madinat," meaning "city" or "town." This name was likely given to someone who lived in or near a prominent city, possibly Medina in Saudi Arabia, which was an important religious center for Muslims.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Medina surname can be found in the Repartimiento de Sevilla, a document detailing the distribution of land and property in Seville after the city was conquered by the Christian forces of King Ferdinand III of Castile in 1248. This document mentions several individuals with the surname Medina, suggesting that the name was already in use by that time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure bearing the Medina surname was Pedro Medina, a Spanish cartographer and navigator who produced important maps and navigational charts. He was born around 1493 and played a significant role in the exploration and mapping of the New World.

Another prominent individual with the Medina surname was Juan de Medina, a Spanish Renaissance poet and humanist who lived during the 16th century. He was born in Seville around 1490 and gained recognition for his literary works, including poems and translations of classical texts.

In the 17th century, Diego de Medina y Bañuelos was a Spanish playwright and poet who contributed to the Golden Age of Spanish literature. He was born in Madrid in 1610 and is best known for his plays and autos sacramentales (religious dramas).

During the 18th century, Juan Medina Rendón was a Spanish military officer and colonial administrator who served as the governor of Puerto Rico from 1768 to 1771. He was born in Seville in 1716 and played a significant role in the development and defense of the island during his tenure as governor.

The surname Medina has also been associated with various place names throughout Spain, such as Medina del Campo, Medina de Rioseco, and Medina-Sidonia, further reinforcing its connection to urban settlements and cities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Medina families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Medina 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. Middlesex leads with 6 Medinas recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.85x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 6 6.85x
Staffordshire 2 6.76x
Surrey 1 2.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Fulham London in Middlesex leads with 4 Medinas recorded in 1881 and an index of 314.96x.

Place Total Index
Fulham London 4 314.96x
Dilhorne 2 4000.00x
Westminster St John 2 186.92x
Putney 1 250.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Claire 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alfred 2
Albert 1
Edward 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 Medina households.

FAQ

Medina surname: questions and answers

How common was the Medina surname in 1881?

In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Medina surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Medina surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 521 in 2016. That gives Medina a modern rank of #9,701.

What does the Medina surname mean?

A habitational surname referring to someone from any of the various places named Medina, meaning "city" in Arabic.

What does the Medina map show?

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