NameCensus.

UK surname

Paiva

A toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a causeway, ford, or place to cross a river.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Paiva surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 180, ranked #21,022, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paiva is 180 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 17900.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

180

2016, ranked #21,022

Peak year

2016

180 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Paiva had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 180 in 2016, ranked #21,022.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Paiva surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Paiva surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Paiva 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 15 #36,409
1998 modern 17 #36,240
1999 modern 24 #35,514
2000 modern 25 #35,382
2001 modern 26 #35,152
2002 modern 45 #33,712
2003 modern 51 #33,266
2004 modern 62 #32,478
2005 modern 64 #32,482
2006 modern 83 #30,808
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 125 #25,823
2010 modern 147 #23,809
2011 modern 132 #25,303
2012 modern 144 #23,902
2013 modern 153 #23,314
2014 modern 167 #22,180
2015 modern 164 #22,325
2016 modern 180 #21,022

Geography

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Where Paivas 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 Mid Devon, Lambeth, Kensington and Chelsea and Herefordshire. 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 Mid Devon 007 Mid Devon
2 Lambeth 011 Lambeth
3 Kensington and Chelsea 017 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Lambeth 006 Lambeth
5 Herefordshire 017 Herefordshire, County of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Paiva

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

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

Paiva 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

Paiva falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Paiva

The surname Paiva is of Portuguese origin, originating from the region of Alentejo in southern Portugal. It is believed to have derived from the word "paiva," which means "marshy area" or "reed bed" in Portuguese, suggesting that the surname may have been initially adopted by those who lived near marshlands or areas with abundant reeds.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Paiva can be traced back to the 13th century in various historical documents from Portugal. One notable reference is found in the "Livro Velho," an ancient Portuguese manuscript dating back to the 14th century, which mentions individuals bearing the surname Paiva.

In the 15th century, during the Age of Discovery, several individuals with the surname Paiva were recorded as participating in the Portuguese maritime expeditions and explorations. One such individual was João Paiva, a navigator who accompanied Vasco da Gama on his historic voyage to India in 1498.

The surname Paiva is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Pedro Paiva, a Portuguese jurist and professor who lived in the 16th century (c. 1510-1581). Another prominent individual was Sebastião Paiva, a 17th-century Portuguese composer and organist (c. 1615-1667).

In the 18th century, José Paiva de Andrade (1725-1800) was a Portuguese politician and diplomat who served as the ambassador of Portugal to the court of Louis XVI in France. António Paiva e Pona (1729-1803) was a notable Portuguese historian and author during the same period.

Moving into the 19th century, Manuel Paiva de Andrada (1818-1877) was a Brazilian poet and playwright who contributed significantly to the development of Brazilian literature. Another notable figure was Joaquim Paiva de Andrade (1843-1920), a Brazilian lawyer and politician who served as the governor of the state of Minas Gerais.

These are just a few examples of individuals who bore the surname Paiva throughout history, showcasing its long-standing presence and significance in various regions and contexts, particularly within the Portuguese-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Paiva surname: questions and answers

How common was the Paiva surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Paiva surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Paiva surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 180 in 2016. That gives Paiva a modern rank of #21,022.

What does the Paiva surname mean?

A toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a causeway, ford, or place to cross a river.

What does the Paiva map show?

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