NameCensus.

UK surname

Papa

Italian occupational surname referring to a person who served as the Pope or a Catholic priest.

In the 1881 census there were 12 people recorded with the Papa surname, ranking it #31,914 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 332, ranked #13,706, up from #31,914 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Islington, Kelvingrove and University and Dartford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Papa is 332 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2666.7%.

1881 census count

12

Ranked #31,914

Modern count

332

2016, ranked #13,706

Peak year

2016

332 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Papa had 12 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,914 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 332 in 2016, ranked #13,706.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 85 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Papa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Papa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Papa 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
1881 historical 12 #31,914
1891 historical 18 #32,706
1901 historical 49 #28,696
1911 historical 85 #24,322
1997 modern 227 #16,267
1998 modern 238 #16,218
1999 modern 227 #16,834
2000 modern 240 #16,186
2001 modern 229 #16,467
2002 modern 236 #16,455
2003 modern 231 #16,504
2004 modern 234 #16,416
2005 modern 253 #15,514
2006 modern 245 #15,956
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 245 #16,295
2009 modern 248 #16,509
2010 modern 269 #15,935
2011 modern 260 #16,188
2012 modern 264 #15,904
2013 modern 296 #14,876
2014 modern 313 #14,406
2015 modern 316 #14,214
2016 modern 332 #13,706

Geography

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Where Papas 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 Islington, Kelvingrove and University, Dartford, Barnet and Swindon. 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 Islington 011 Islington
2 Kelvingrove and University Glasgow City
3 Dartford 013 Dartford
4 Barnet 041 Barnet
5 Swindon 011 Swindon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Papa

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Papa

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

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Papa surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Papa 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 never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Papa is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Papa 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

Papa 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 Papa 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 Papa, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Papa

The surname PAPA is believed to have originated in Italy during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Latin word "papa," which means "father" or "pope." The name likely originated as a nickname or as a reference to someone who held a respected position within the church or the community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name PAPA can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Cavensis, a collection of medieval documents from the Cava de' Tirreni monastery in southern Italy, dating back to the 11th century. In this document, a certain "Petrus Papa" is mentioned, suggesting the use of the surname at that time.

Another notable historical reference to the name PAPA can be found in the Liber Censuum, a 13th-century papal register compiled under the direction of Pope Honorius III. In this document, a "Stephanus Papa" is listed as a canon of the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname PAPA was Giovanni Papa, a prominent Italian jurist and canonist who lived in the 13th century. He served as a professor of law at the University of Bologna and authored several influential works on canon law.

During the Renaissance period, the PAPA surname gained further prominence with the artist Simone Papa, who was active in the 15th century. He was a notable painter from the city of Siena and is known for his works in the Duomo di Siena and other churches in the region.

Another notable figure with the surname PAPA was Niccolò Papa, a 16th-century Italian architect and military engineer. He is best known for his work on the fortifications of several cities in the Papal States, including the design of the Fortezza da Basso in Florence.

In the 18th century, Giuseppe Papa was a prominent Italian composer and music theorist. He was born in 1697 in Naples and is particularly known for his contributions to the development of the Neapolitan school of opera.

The surname PAPA has also been associated with prominent individuals in more recent history, such as the Italian politician and jurist Vincenzo Papa, who served as the President of the Constitutional Court of Italy from 1986 to 1995.

While the surname PAPA has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world, likely due to migration and cultural exchanges. However, the name's origins can be traced back to the Italian peninsula and its rich historical and cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Papa families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Papa 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. Staffordshire leads with 6 Papas recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.21x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 6 15.21x
Devon 3 12.34x
Durham 1 2.88x
Glamorgan 1 4.91x
Middlesex 1 0.86x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Upon Trent in Staffordshire leads with 6 Papas recorded in 1881 and an index of 143.54x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Upon Trent 6 143.54x
Exeter St George The 3 10000.00x
Clerkenwell London 1 36.23x
South Shields 1 322.58x
Swansea Town 1 59.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Angli 1
Bridget 1
C. 1
Ellen 1
Johanna 1
Mary 1
Regina 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Anthony 2
Andrew 1
Harry 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 Papa households.

FAQ

Papa surname: questions and answers

How common was the Papa surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Papa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 332 in 2016. That gives Papa a modern rank of #13,706.

What does the Papa surname mean?

Italian occupational surname referring to a person who served as the Pope or a Catholic priest.

What does the Papa map show?

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