NameCensus.

UK surname

Molina

A Spanish habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a mill or worked as a miller.

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Molina surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 323, ranked #13,997, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Trinity East and The Dudleys and Liverpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Molina is 327 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2591.7%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

323

2016, ranked #13,997

Peak year

2014

327 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Molina had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 323 in 2016, ranked #13,997.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 18 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Molina surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Molina surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Molina 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 6 #32,278
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 11 #33,268
1901 historical 9 #33,154
1911 historical 18 #31,542
1997 modern 119 #24,302
1998 modern 132 #23,394
1999 modern 150 #21,826
2000 modern 146 #22,170
2001 modern 142 #22,234
2002 modern 150 #21,913
2003 modern 159 #20,881
2004 modern 179 #19,523
2005 modern 184 #19,117
2006 modern 193 #18,675
2007 modern 196 #18,737
2008 modern 199 #18,699
2009 modern 224 #17,685
2010 modern 259 #16,386
2011 modern 277 #15,433
2012 modern 289 #14,875
2013 modern 312 #14,332
2014 modern 327 #13,976
2015 modern 322 #14,023
2016 modern 323 #13,997

Geography

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Where Molinas 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 Greenwich, Trinity East and The Dudleys, Liverpool, Bristol and Blaenau Gwent. 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 Greenwich 014 Greenwich
2 Trinity East and The Dudleys City of Edinburgh
3 Liverpool 005 Liverpool
4 Bristol 034 Bristol, City of
5 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Molina

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Molina

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

Molina 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

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

Meaning and origin of Molina

The surname Molina originates from Spain and traces its roots back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Spanish word "molino," which means "mill." The name likely originated in areas where mills were prevalent or owned by families involved in milling operations.

One of the earliest known references to the name Molina can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrías, a medieval record of landholdings and properties from the 14th century. This document mentions individuals with the surname Molina residing in various regions of Spain, including Castile and León.

During the Middle Ages, the name Molina was often associated with noble families or those with ties to the milling industry. In the late 15th century, a prominent figure named Luis de Molina (1535-1600) emerged as a renowned Jesuit scholar and theologian, known for his contributions to the doctrine of divine grace.

Another notable individual with the surname Molina was Tirso de Molina (1579-1648), a Spanish playwright and poet who gained fame for his works, including the play "El Burlador de Sevilla y Convidado de Piedra," which introduced the legendary character of Don Juan.

In the 17th century, Juan Ignacio Molina (1679-1736) was a Spanish painter known for his religious works and portraits, many of which can be found in churches and museums throughout Spain.

Moving forward to the 19th century, José Joaquín Molina (1825-1890) was a prominent Chilean naturalist and explorer who made significant contributions to the study of the flora and fauna of Chile.

Another individual of note was Enrique Molina Campos (1871-1964), a Chilean politician and diplomat who served as the President of Chile from 1925 to 1927.

The surname Molina has also been associated with various place names throughout Spain, such as Molina de Aragón and Molina de Segura, further emphasizing its connection to the milling industry and the geographic areas where mills were once abundant.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Molina families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Molina 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 10 Molinas recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.56x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 10 8.56x
Cheshire 1 3.88x
Lancashire 1 0.72x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 4 Molinas recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.07x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 4 61.07x
Islington London 3 26.48x
Hammersmith London 2 69.44x
Birkenhead 1 48.54x
Liverpool 1 11.88x
St Pancras London 1 10.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Antonia 1
Caroline 1
Maria 1
Saturnina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Demtrio 2
Antonio 1
Bernard 1
D. 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 Molina households.

FAQ

Molina surname: questions and answers

How common was the Molina surname in 1881?

In 1881, 12 people were recorded with the Molina surname. That placed it at #31,914 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Molina surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 323 in 2016. That gives Molina a modern rank of #13,997.

What does the Molina surname mean?

A Spanish habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a mill or worked as a miller.

What does the Molina map show?

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