NameCensus.

UK surname

Paun

A Romanian surname derived from the word for "peacock".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Paun surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 284, ranked #15,323, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Birmingham and Waltham Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Paun is 284 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28300.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

284

2016, ranked #15,323

Peak year

2016

284 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Paun had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 284 in 2016, ranked #15,323.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 24 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Paun surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Paun surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Paun 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 24 #30,922
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 34 #34,282
1998 modern 36 #34,246
1999 modern 34 #34,528
2000 modern 36 #34,317
2001 modern 35 #34,261
2002 modern 38 #34,307
2003 modern 39 #34,296
2004 modern 38 #34,555
2005 modern 37 #34,815
2006 modern 37 #35,074
2007 modern 47 #34,558
2008 modern 62 #33,565
2009 modern 70 #33,182
2010 modern 89 #31,745
2011 modern 94 #31,016
2012 modern 147 #23,567
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 219 #18,523
2015 modern 252 #16,705
2016 modern 284 #15,323

Geography

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Where Pauns 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 Brent, Birmingham, Waltham Forest and Barnet. 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 Brent 005 Brent
2 Birmingham 055 Birmingham
3 Waltham Forest 014 Waltham Forest
4 Barnet 005 Barnet
5 Brent 016 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Paun

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Paun

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

Paun 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

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

Meaning and origin of Paun

The surname PAUN is of Romanian origin, traced back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Romanian word "păun," meaning "peacock." The name likely originated as a nickname or a reference to someone who possessed characteristics associated with the majestic bird, such as pride, beauty, or a showy demeanor.

In the early records of Wallachia and Moldavia, the principalities that later formed modern-day Romania, variants of the name PAUN appear, including Păunescu and Păunescu-Poenaru. These early mentions indicate that the name was well-established among the Romanian nobility and gentry.

One of the earliest known references to the PAUN surname can be found in the 1597 Wallachian census, where a landholder named Mihai Paun is listed among the nobility of the time. This record provides evidence of the name's longevity and its association with landed gentry.

In the 17th century, the name PAUN gained prominence through the exploits of Matei Paun, a military commander and diplomat who served under the Wallachian princes. Born in 1629, Paun rose through the ranks and played a crucial role in the negotiations with the Ottoman Empire, representing Wallachian interests.

Another notable figure bearing the PAUN surname was Ion Paun, a 19th-century Romanian poet and writer. Born in 1832, Paun's literary works celebrated the beauty of the Romanian countryside and contributed to the development of the country's cultural identity during a period of national awakening.

The PAUN name has also been associated with several renowned scholars and intellectuals. One such individual was Constantin Paun, a 20th-century linguist and philologist born in 1888. Paun's contributions to the study of Romanian language and literature earned him widespread recognition and respect within academic circles.

Gheorghe Paun, born in 1950, is a contemporary figure who has brought distinction to the PAUN name. A renowned mathematician and computer scientist, Paun is known for his groundbreaking work in the field of molecular computing and natural computing, which combines elements of computer science, mathematics, and biology.

While the surname PAUN has Romanian roots, it has since spread to various parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its historical significance remains deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Romanian culture, literature, and intellectual traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Paun families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Paun 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 1 Pauns recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.40x.

County Total Index
Kent 1 30.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Canterbury St Andrew in Kent leads with 1 Pauns recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Canterbury St Andrew 1 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Frederick 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 Paun households.

Occupation Count
Grocers Apprentice 1

FAQ

Paun surname: questions and answers

How common was the Paun surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Paun surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 284 in 2016. That gives Paun a modern rank of #15,323.

What does the Paun surname mean?

A Romanian surname derived from the word for "peacock".

What does the Paun map show?

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