NameCensus.

UK surname

Oscar

A surname from Irish Gaelic meaning "deer lover" or "hunter of deer".

In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Oscar surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 158, ranked #22,904, up from #29,646 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newham, Manchester and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Oscar is 158 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 464.3%.

1881 census count

28

Ranked #29,646

Modern count

158

2016, ranked #22,904

Peak year

2016

158 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Oscar had 28 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,646 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016, ranked #22,904.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 28 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Oscar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Oscar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Oscar 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 12 #31,134
1861 historical 12 #32,329
1881 historical 28 #29,646
1891 historical 23 #32,389
1901 historical 20 #31,803
1911 historical 17 #31,675
1997 modern 79 #29,672
1998 modern 86 #29,343
1999 modern 83 #29,823
2000 modern 86 #29,484
2001 modern 85 #29,396
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 84 #29,978
2004 modern 92 #29,197
2005 modern 93 #29,133
2006 modern 98 #28,621
2007 modern 103 #28,187
2008 modern 102 #28,664
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 122 #26,876
2011 modern 117 #27,334
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 132 #25,789
2014 modern 143 #24,621
2015 modern 145 #24,246
2016 modern 158 #22,904

Geography

Back to top

Where Oscars 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 Newham, Manchester and Ealing. 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 Newham 030 Newham
2 Manchester 049 Manchester
3 Newham 012 Newham
4 Newham 034 Newham
5 Ealing 016 Ealing

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Oscar

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Oscar

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

Oscar 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

Oscar 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 Oscar is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Oscar, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Oscar

The surname Oscar has its origins in Spain, tracing back to the early medieval period around the 6th century. It is derived from the Germanic name Oskar, which is composed of the elements "os" meaning "god" and "car" meaning "army" or "warrior." The name was likely introduced to the Iberian Peninsula during the Visigothic rule in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Oscar appears in the Codex Calixtinus, a 12th-century manuscript that details the legends and miracles associated with the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route. In this text, a nobleman named Oscar is mentioned as a supporter of the Camino de Santiago.

In the 13th century, the name Oscar was found in various historical records from the Kingdom of Aragon, including the Census of Aragon conducted in 1285. Notable individuals bearing this surname during this period include Oscar de Montblanc (1220-1289), a prominent knight who participated in the Reconquista against the Moors.

As the name spread throughout Spain, it also took on different spellings and variations, such as Oscariz and Oscariz-Martín. These variants were often associated with specific regions or localities, reflecting the influence of local dialects and naming traditions.

One of the most renowned figures with the surname Oscar was Mariano Oscar de Novoa (1790-1857), a Spanish military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 1853 to 1854. His contributions during the Carlist Wars and his advocacy for liberal reforms left a lasting impact on Spanish history.

Another noteworthy individual was Emilio Oscar Mendoza (1844-1912), a renowned Spanish artist and painter who was celebrated for his depictions of historical and religious scenes. His works adorned numerous churches and public buildings across Spain, showcasing his mastery of the Romantic and Realist styles.

In the literary realm, Sebastián Oscar Córdova (1865-1932) was a prominent Spanish poet and novelist known for his evocative descriptions of rural life and the natural world. His poetry collections, such as "Cantos de la Tierra" (Songs of the Earth), earned him widespread acclaim and a place among the most celebrated writers of his time.

The surname Oscar also found its way into the realm of music with figures like Javier Oscar García (1910-1989), a renowned Spanish composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the development of contemporary Spanish classical music. His compositions, including symphonies and concertos, were performed by leading orchestras worldwide.

While the surname Oscar has its roots in Spain, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. Despite its widespread distribution, the name remains a proud testament to its rich Spanish heritage and the remarkable individuals who have carried it throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Oscar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Oscar 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 14 Oscars recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.32x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 14 4.32x
Middlesex 6 2.20x
Durham 2 2.46x
Nottinghamshire 2 5.44x
Lanarkshire 1 1.13x
Northumberland 1 2.46x
Surrey 1 0.75x
Yorkshire 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Crumpsall in Lancashire leads with 6 Oscars recorded in 1881 and an index of 789.47x.

Place Total Index
Crumpsall 6 789.47x
St Pancras London 5 22.77x
Manchester 4 27.47x
Nottingham St Mary 2 21.03x
Preston 2 23.09x
Wolsingham 2 270.27x
Bradford 1 15.27x
Glasgow 1 6.38x
Isleworth 1 82.64x
Liverpool 1 5.09x
North Shields 1 123.46x
Southwark St Saviour 1 71.43x
West Derby 1 10.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 4
Mary 3
Alice 2
Amelia 1
Lucy 1
Martha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Harry 2
Fred 1
Handel 1
James 1
John 1
Lioie 1
Marks 1
Ralph 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Simeon 1
Thurston 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 Oscar households.

FAQ

Oscar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Oscar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Oscar surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Oscar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 158 in 2016. That gives Oscar a modern rank of #22,904.

What does the Oscar surname mean?

A surname from Irish Gaelic meaning "deer lover" or "hunter of deer".

What does the Oscar map show?

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