NameCensus.

UK surname

Parra

A surname of Spanish origin referring to a trellis or grapevine, likely indicating an ancestor's occupation as a grape grower.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Parra surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 102, ranked #30,722, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Berkshire, Bexley and Bassetlaw.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Parra is 109 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10100.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

102

2016, ranked #30,722

Peak year

2014

109 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Parra had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016, ranked #30,722.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 12 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Parra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Parra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Parra 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 3 #32,890
1861 historical 12 #32,329
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 44 #33,275
1998 modern 53 #32,633
1999 modern 54 #32,660
2000 modern 54 #32,710
2001 modern 54 #32,583
2002 modern 68 #31,626
2003 modern 73 #31,186
2004 modern 65 #32,177
2005 modern 70 #31,912
2006 modern 69 #32,343
2007 modern 70 #32,580
2008 modern 78 #32,081
2009 modern 85 #31,717
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 104 #29,424
2012 modern 93 #31,409
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 109 #29,452
2015 modern 109 #29,327
2016 modern 102 #30,722

Geography

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Where Parras 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 West Berkshire, Bexley, Bassetlaw, Rugby and Hammersmith and Fulham. 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 West Berkshire 003 West Berkshire
2 Bexley 006 Bexley
3 Bassetlaw 004 Bassetlaw
4 Rugby 005 Rugby
5 Hammersmith and Fulham 012 Hammersmith and Fulham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Parra

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

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Parra is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Parra 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

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

Meaning and origin of Parra

The surname Parra is of Spanish and Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "parra," which means "vine" or "grapevine." It is believed to have originated in the regions of Spain and Italy where grape cultivation and winemaking were prevalent.

In Spain, the earliest recorded instances of the surname Parra can be traced back to the 12th century. It is possible that the name was initially given as a descriptive surname to individuals who worked with or lived near vineyards. One notable early bearer of the name was Pedro Parra, a Spanish nobleman and landowner who lived in the 13th century.

The surname Parra also has a long history in Italy, where it is believed to have originated in regions such as Tuscany and Piedmont, known for their wine production. Records from the 14th century mention individuals with the surname Parra in these areas.

Historically, the surname Parra has been associated with various professions and occupations related to viniculture, such as winemakers, vineyard owners, and grape growers. In some cases, the name may have also been given to individuals who lived near vineyards or had a physical resemblance to grapevines.

Notable individuals with the surname Parra include:

1. José Parra del Riego (1564-1638), a Spanish historian and writer from Seville. 2. Juan Bautista Parra (1720-1798), a Spanish botanist and explorer who studied flora in Colombia and Venezuela. 3. Francisco Parra (1856-1924), a Chilean politician and diplomat who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. 4. Nicanor Parra (1914-2018), a renowned Chilean poet, mathematician, and physicist, considered one of the founders of anti-poetry. 5. Violeta Parra (1917-1967), a celebrated Chilean composer, singer, and visual artist, known for her contributions to the Nueva Canción movement.

The surname Parra has also been associated with various place names, particularly in Spain and Latin America, such as Parra de Arribe and Parra de Abajo in Spain, and Parra de Las Vegas in Venezuela.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Parra families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Parra 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. Durham leads with 1 Parras recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.84x.

County Total Index
Durham 1 34.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gateshead in Durham leads with 1 Parras recorded in 1881 and an index of 476.19x.

Place Total Index
Gateshead 1 476.19x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 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 Parra households.

Occupation Count
Puddler 1

FAQ

Parra surname: questions and answers

How common was the Parra surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Parra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016. That gives Parra a modern rank of #30,722.

What does the Parra surname mean?

A surname of Spanish origin referring to a trellis or grapevine, likely indicating an ancestor's occupation as a grape grower.

What does the Parra map show?

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