NameCensus.

UK surname

Oliva

A surname of Latin origin referring to someone who cultivated or lived near olive trees.

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Oliva surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 217, ranked #18,535, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Crawley, Central Bedfordshire and Cupar Central.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oliva is 222 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1708.3%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

217

2016, ranked #18,535

Peak year

2014

222 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Oliva had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 217 in 2016, ranked #18,535.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 35 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Oliva surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oliva surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Oliva 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 8 #31,867
1861 historical 35 #29,571
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 26 #32,189
1901 historical 18 #32,032
1911 historical 24 #30,800
1997 modern 136 #22,398
1998 modern 134 #23,202
1999 modern 148 #22,020
2000 modern 141 #22,648
2001 modern 131 #23,343
2002 modern 136 #23,296
2003 modern 141 #22,549
2004 modern 141 #22,689
2005 modern 159 #20,983
2006 modern 163 #20,789
2007 modern 166 #20,811
2008 modern 178 #20,094
2009 modern 194 #19,398
2010 modern 206 #19,066
2011 modern 195 #19,610
2012 modern 216 #18,251
2013 modern 217 #18,493
2014 modern 222 #18,355
2015 modern 222 #18,225
2016 modern 217 #18,535

Geography

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Where Olivas 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 Crawley, Central Bedfordshire, Cupar Central, Bexley and Islington. 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 Crawley 012 Crawley
2 Central Bedfordshire 021 Central Bedfordshire
3 Cupar Central Fife
4 Bexley 009 Bexley
5 Islington 020 Islington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Oliva

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Oliva

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Oliva surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Oliva household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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, Oliva 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

Oliva 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

Oliva falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Oliva

The surname Oliva is of Italian origin, and it can be traced back to the medieval period. Historically, it was prevalent in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Liguria, and Sicily. The name is believed to derive from the Latin word "oliva," which means "olive," suggesting a connection to olive cultivation or olive-related trades.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Oliva can be found in the Codice Diplomatico della Lombardia Medievale, a collection of medieval documents from the region of Lombardy. In this collection, there is a record from the 12th century mentioning an individual named Guglielmo Oliva, indicating the surname's presence during that time.

In the 13th century, the name Oliva appeared in the Rationes Decimarum Italiae, a series of records related to the collection of tithes in various Italian states. These records mention several individuals with the surname Oliva residing in different parts of Italy, such as Tuscany and Sicily.

The Oliva surname has been associated with several notable historical figures over the centuries. One such figure was Giovanni Oliva, a Franciscan friar and theologian who lived from 1248 to 1322. He was a prominent figure within the Franciscan Order and authored several influential works on theology and mysticism.

Another notable individual with the surname Oliva was Gaspare Oliva, an Italian painter and engraver who lived from 1505 to 1587. He was known for his religious paintings and worked extensively in churches and monasteries throughout Italy.

In the 16th century, the name Oliva can be found in the records of the Spanish Inquisition, where an individual named Diego de Oliva was tried for alleged heretical beliefs. This connection suggests that the surname had also spread to Spain during that period.

During the 17th century, a notable figure with the surname Oliva was Nicolò Oliva, an Italian composer and violinist who lived from around 1610 to 1680. He was a prominent figure in the musical life of Venice and composed various works for the violin.

In the 18th century, the surname Oliva gained prominence in the field of science with the Italian naturalist and botanist Giuseppe Oliva, who lived from 1769 to 1845. He made significant contributions to the study of botany and published several works on the flora of Italy.

While the surname Oliva has maintained its presence across various regions of Italy throughout history, it has also been adopted by individuals in other parts of the world, particularly in areas with strong Italian immigration or cultural influence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Oliva families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oliva 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 5 Olivas recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.61x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 5 3.61x
Middlesex 2 1.71x
Yorkshire 2 1.73x
Glamorgan 1 4.91x
Kent 1 2.51x
Surrey 1 1.76x

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 5 Olivas recorded in 1881 and an index of 59.38x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 5 59.38x
Cardiff St Mary 1 89.29x
Esher 1 1250.00x
Greenwich 1 53.76x
Kensington London 1 15.38x
Leeds 1 15.29x
Sheffield 1 27.10x
St Anne Soho London 1 149.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Angelina 1
Anna 1
Julia 1
Louisa 1
Lucia 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Valerie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Giacento 1
Gregor 1
Guisappe 1
Joseph 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 Oliva households.

FAQ

Oliva surname: questions and answers

How common was the Oliva surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Oliva surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 217 in 2016. That gives Oliva a modern rank of #18,535.

What does the Oliva surname mean?

A surname of Latin origin referring to someone who cultivated or lived near olive trees.

What does the Oliva map show?

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