NameCensus.

UK surname

Popa

A Romanian occupational surname referring to a priest or clergyman in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Popa is 1,074 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,074

2016, ranked #5,440

Peak year

2016

1,074 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,074 in 2016, ranked #5,440.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 19 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Popa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Popa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Popa 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 19 #31,470
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 2 #38,557
1998 modern 8 #37,334
1999 modern 9 #37,217
2000 modern 6 #37,624
2001 modern 8 #37,124
2002 modern 16 #36,267
2003 modern 23 #35,650
2004 modern 34 #34,868
2005 modern 54 #33,433
2006 modern 80 #31,149
2007 modern 182 #19,618
2008 modern 247 #16,205
2009 modern 315 #13,960
2010 modern 424 #11,449
2011 modern 455 #10,691
2012 modern 675 #7,838
2013 modern 728 #7,510
2014 modern 870 #6,536
2015 modern 963 #5,999
2016 modern 1,074 #5,440

Geography

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Where Popas 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 and Waltham Forest. 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 007 Brent
2 Brent 009 Brent
3 Waltham Forest 025 Waltham Forest
4 Brent 003 Brent
5 Brent 011 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Popa

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Popa

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

Popa 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

Popa falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Popa 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
Unknown

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

Meaning and origin of Popa

The surname Popa has its origins in Romania, where it first emerged in the 15th century. It is derived from the Romanian word "popă," which means "priest" or "cleric." The name was initially associated with members of the clergy, particularly those of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

During the medieval period, the name Popa appeared in various historical records and manuscripts from the region. One notable example is the Codex Sturdzanus, a 15th-century manuscript that contains references to individuals with this surname.

The earliest recorded bearer of the name Popa is believed to be Mihai Popa, a Romanian priest who lived in the late 15th century. Another notable figure was Radu Popa, a 16th-century Wallachian nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the conflicts between Wallachia and the Ottoman Empire.

In the 17th century, the name Popa became more widespread among the general population, as it was adopted by families who had ancestral ties to members of the clergy. One prominent individual from this period was Andrei Popa (1636-1693), a Romanian scholar and writer who made significant contributions to the development of the Romanian language and literature.

The 18th century saw the rise of several notable figures bearing the surname Popa. Vasile Popa (1724-1799) was a renowned Romanian painter and iconographer, known for his frescoes in numerous churches throughout the region. Another notable figure was Petru Popa (1737-1799), a Romanian philosopher and educator who played a crucial role in the intellectual movement of the Transylvanian Enlightenment.

In the 19th century, the name Popa continued to be associated with various individuals of historical significance. One such figure was Ion Popa-Hubenescu (1801-1876), a Romanian politician and jurist who served as the Prime Minister of Wallachia between 1859 and 1860.

Throughout its history, the surname Popa has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including clergy, nobility, scholars, artists, and political figures. While its origins can be traced back to the Eastern Orthodox Church in Romania, the name has since become widespread and can be found among Romanian communities worldwide.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Popa surname: questions and answers

How common is the Popa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,074 in 2016. That gives Popa a modern rank of #5,440.

What does the Popa surname mean?

A Romanian occupational surname referring to a priest or clergyman in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

What does the Popa map show?

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