NameCensus.

UK surname

Pena

A Spanish and Portuguese surname referring to a person who lived near a cliff, rock, or boulder.

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Pena surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 282, ranked #15,406, up from #33,110 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pena is 282 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5540.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

282

2016, ranked #15,406

Peak year

2016

282 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pena had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016, ranked #15,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Pena surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pena surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pena 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 1 #34,435
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 99 #27,039
1998 modern 112 #25,856
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 130 #23,785
2001 modern 134 #23,037
2002 modern 150 #21,913
2003 modern 145 #22,172
2004 modern 152 #21,628
2005 modern 152 #21,572
2006 modern 154 #21,576
2007 modern 163 #21,050
2008 modern 194 #19,011
2009 modern 209 #18,493
2010 modern 248 #16,886
2011 modern 254 #16,458
2012 modern 257 #16,212
2013 modern 272 #15,836
2014 modern 272 #15,949
2015 modern 269 #15,955
2016 modern 282 #15,406

Geography

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Where Penas 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 Sussex, Kensington and Chelsea, Hackney, Islington and Croydon. 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 Sussex 013 Mid Sussex
2 Kensington and Chelsea 011 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Hackney 002 Hackney
4 Islington 021 Islington
5 Croydon 011 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pena

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Pena 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

Pena 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

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

Meaning and origin of Pena

The surname Pena is of Spanish origin, with its roots traced back to the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "peña," which means "rock" or "cliff." The name likely originated from a descriptive nickname given to someone who lived near a prominent rock formation or resided in an area known for its rocky terrain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Pena surname can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrías de Castilla, a medieval census document compiled in the 14th century. This document listed individuals with the Pena surname residing in various regions of Castile, suggesting the name's widespread presence in the region during that time.

The Pena surname has also been documented in other historical records, such as the Repartimiento de Sevilla, a 13th-century document that recorded the distribution of land and property in the city of Seville after its reconquest from the Moors. This document mentions several individuals bearing the Pena surname, indicating their presence in the region during that period.

Notable individuals with the surname Pena throughout history include Juan de la Pena (1513-1565), a Spanish explorer and conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expeditions to Mexico. Another notable figure is Gaspar de la Pena (1545-1612), a Spanish composer and organist who served at the court of King Philip II.

In the realm of literature, the Pena surname is associated with Juan de la Pena (1565-1624), a Spanish poet and playwright known for his contributions to the Spanish Golden Age of literature. Additionally, Francisco de la Pena (1610-1673) was a renowned Spanish architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Palacio de las Dueñas in Seville.

The Pena surname can also be traced to other regions of Spain, such as Catalonia, where it is sometimes spelled as "Peña." One notable figure from this region is Josep Peña y Casanovas (1877-1955), a Catalan painter and illustrator known for his works depicting scenes from rural Catalan life.

Throughout history, the Pena surname has been associated with various locations and place names, such as Peñaranda de Bracamonte, a municipality in the province of Salamanca, and Peñafiel, a town in the province of Valladolid, both in Spain. These place names likely originated from the Spanish word "peña," further emphasizing the connection between the surname and its geological roots.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pena families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pena 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. Middlesex leads with 4 Penas recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.25x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 4 8.25x
Lancashire 1 1.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stoke Newington London in Middlesex leads with 4 Penas recorded in 1881 and an index of 1052.63x.

Place Total Index
Stoke Newington London 4 1052.63x
Aighton Bailey 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alfred 1
Isaac 1
William 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 Pena households.

Occupation Count
Warehouseman 1

FAQ

Pena surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pena surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Pena surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pena surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016. That gives Pena a modern rank of #15,406.

What does the Pena surname mean?

A Spanish and Portuguese surname referring to a person who lived near a cliff, rock, or boulder.

What does the Pena map show?

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