NameCensus.

UK surname

Pais

A Spanish surname derived from the word for "country" or "region".

In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Pais surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 213, ranked #18,785, up from #32,243 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pais is 215 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2030.0%.

1881 census count

10

Ranked #32,243

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

2014

215 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pais had 10 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,243 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 20 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Pais surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pais surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pais 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 20 #31,364
1881 historical 10 #32,243
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 68 #30,810
1998 modern 77 #30,289
1999 modern 84 #29,700
2000 modern 86 #29,484
2001 modern 86 #29,281
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 99 #27,871
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 120 #25,066
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 128 #24,632
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 151 #22,816
2010 modern 169 #21,652
2011 modern 180 #20,649
2012 modern 199 #19,280
2013 modern 211 #18,872
2014 modern 215 #18,764
2015 modern 214 #18,712
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

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Where Pais' 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Harrow, Ealing and Great Yarmouth. 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 Kensington and Chelsea 002 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Lambeth 011 Lambeth
3 Harrow 017 Harrow
4 Ealing 006 Ealing
5 Great Yarmouth 006 Great Yarmouth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pais

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Pais surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Pais 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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, Pais 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

Pais 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

Pais 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 Pais is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Pais

The surname "PAIS" originates from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically from the regions of Portugal and Spain. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "pagensis," which means "villager" or "countryman."

During the Middle Ages, the name was commonly found in various parts of the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in regions like Galicia, Asturias, and León. It was often used as a descriptive surname, indicating a person's connection to a specific village or rural area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "PAIS" can be found in the 13th-century Galician-Portuguese literary work, the "Cantigas de Santa Maria." This collection of poems, written during the reign of King Alfonso X of Castile (1221-1284), contains references to individuals with the surname "PAIS."

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various historical records and documents. For example, the "Tumbo de Fieiros," a medieval cartulary from the Monastery of Santa María de Fieiros in Galicia, mentions several individuals with the surname "PAIS."

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname "PAIS." One of the earliest was Rodrigo Pais, a 12th-century nobleman and military commander who played a crucial role in the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors.

Another prominent figure was Pedro Pais Sarracino, a 13th-century Galician troubadour and poet, known for his contributions to the development of Galician-Portuguese lyric poetry.

In the 15th century, João Pais da Arada, a Portuguese navigator and explorer, accompanied Vasco da Gama on his famous voyage to India in 1498.

During the 16th century, Gaspar Pais da Veiga was a notable Portuguese humanist, philosopher, and author who wrote extensively on topics ranging from education to theology.

In the 18th century, José Pais de Vasconcelos was a prominent Portuguese historian and genealogist who authored several works on the history and nobility of Portugal.

While the surname "PAIS" has its roots in the Iberian Peninsula, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and exploration. However, its historical significance remains closely tied to its origins in Portugal and Spain, where it has been a part of the cultural and linguistic landscape for centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pais families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pais 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 7 Pais' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.09x.

County Total Index
Kent 7 21.09x
Middlesex 1 1.03x
Surrey 1 2.11x
Warwickshire 1 4.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plumstead in Kent leads with 7 Pais' recorded in 1881 and an index of 630.63x.

Place Total Index
Plumstead 7 630.63x
Aston 1 14.79x
Camberwell 1 16.10x
Islington London 1 10.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Blanche 1
Charlotte 1
Florence 1
Mabel 1
Matilda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 2
Valentine 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 Pais households.

FAQ

Pais surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pais surname in 1881?

In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Pais surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pais surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Pais a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Pais surname mean?

A Spanish surname derived from the word for "country" or "region".

What does the Pais map show?

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