NameCensus.

UK surname

Pala

A surname potentially derived from an Italian or Spanish word meaning "shovel" or "spade".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Oadby and Wigston and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pala is 437 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

437

2016, ranked #11,045

Peak year

2016

437 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 437 in 2016, ranked #11,045.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Pala surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pala surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pala 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
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 227 #16,267
1998 modern 245 #15,903
1999 modern 258 #15,467
2000 modern 246 #15,914
2001 modern 243 #15,791
2002 modern 261 #15,369
2003 modern 277 #14,577
2004 modern 282 #14,451
2005 modern 310 #13,518
2006 modern 312 #13,554
2007 modern 331 #13,117
2008 modern 351 #12,661
2009 modern 353 #12,894
2010 modern 393 #12,157
2011 modern 412 #11,593
2012 modern 395 #11,836
2013 modern 402 #11,871
2014 modern 415 #11,688
2015 modern 424 #11,364
2016 modern 437 #11,045

Geography

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Where Palas 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 Leicester, Oadby and Wigston and Harrow. 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 Leicester 023 Leicester
2 Leicester 006 Leicester
3 Leicester 020 Leicester
4 Oadby and Wigston 009 Oadby and Wigston
5 Harrow 007 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pala

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Pala, 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 Pala surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Pala 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Pala is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pala 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

Pala 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 Pala 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Pala

The surname Pala has its origins in India, specifically in the northern regions of the country. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century.

One theory suggests that the name Pala is derived from the Sanskrit word "pala," which means "protector" or "guardian." This could indicate that the name was initially given to individuals who held roles related to protection, such as soldiers or security personnel.

Another possible origin of the name Pala is its connection to the Pala Empire, a Buddhist imperial power that ruled over parts of the Indian subcontinent from the 8th to the 12th century. The Pala dynasty was known for its patronage of Buddhism and the establishment of numerous monasteries and centers of learning.

Historical records from the Pala Empire era mention several individuals bearing the surname Pala, suggesting that it may have originated among the ruling class or nobility associated with the dynasty.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pala can be found in the "Rāmacaritam," a 12th-century Sanskrit text composed by the poet Sandhyākara Nandi. This work mentions a character named Śrīpāla, who is described as a Buddhist monk and scholar.

Another notable historical figure with the surname Pala is Dharmapāla, a renowned Buddhist scholar and philosopher who lived in the 7th century CE. He was an influential figure in the development of Buddhist logic and epistemology.

During the 14th century, a Sanskrit text called the "Palaśrāvakāchāra" was written, which provides insights into the customs and practices of the Pala community. This work suggests that the surname Pala was widely used among certain Buddhist communities during that time period.

In the modern era, several individuals with the surname Pala have achieved prominence in various fields. One example is Bappi Lahiri (1952-2022), an Indian singer, composer, and record producer known for his contributions to Bollywood music.

Another notable figure is Bhim Pala (1909-1992), an Indian freedom fighter and politician who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and later served as a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament.

The surname Pala continues to be prevalent in various parts of India, particularly in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam, where it is associated with diverse communities and backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Pala surname: questions and answers

How common is the Pala surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 437 in 2016. That gives Pala a modern rank of #11,045.

What does the Pala surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from an Italian or Spanish word meaning "shovel" or "spade".

What does the Pala map show?

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