NameCensus.

UK surname

Rana

A surname of Italian and Spanish origin referring to a person who lived near or worked with frogs.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Rana surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,477, ranked #1,521, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Ealing and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rana is 4,477 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 447600.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

4,477

2016, ranked #1,521

Peak year

2016

4,477 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rana had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,477 in 2016, ranked #1,521.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 26 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Rana surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rana surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rana 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 10 #31,497
1861 historical 26 #30,677
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 15 #32,956
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 1,870 #3,223
1998 modern 2,015 #3,139
1999 modern 2,151 #2,999
2000 modern 2,260 #2,857
2001 modern 2,286 #2,765
2002 modern 2,534 #2,584
2003 modern 2,641 #2,455
2004 modern 2,833 #2,326
2005 modern 2,989 #2,166
2006 modern 3,133 #2,073
2007 modern 3,312 #2,001
2008 modern 3,532 #1,882
2009 modern 3,779 #1,802
2010 modern 4,033 #1,719
2011 modern 4,071 #1,681
2012 modern 4,131 #1,626
2013 modern 4,310 #1,590
2014 modern 4,433 #1,562
2015 modern 4,451 #1,531
2016 modern 4,477 #1,521

Geography

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Where Ranas 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 Leicester, Ealing and Redbridge. 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 Leicester 007 Leicester
2 Leicester 010 Leicester
3 Leicester 006 Leicester
4 Ealing 026 Ealing
5 Redbridge 030 Redbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rana

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

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Rana surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Rana household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Rana is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Rana 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

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

Meaning and origin of Rana

The surname RANA originated in India, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "rana," which means "warrior" or "soldier." The name is particularly prevalent in the northern regions of India, such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab.

One of the earliest known references to the name RANA can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, which mentions a warrior named Rana Pratap Singh, who fought against the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. The name gained prominence during the reign of the Rajput rulers, who were known for their bravery and military prowess.

In the 12th century, the RANA surname was associated with the ruling dynasty of Mewar, a region in present-day Rajasthan. The most notable figure from this lineage was Maharana Pratap Singh (1540-1597), a renowned Rajput ruler who led the resistance against the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Another notable individual with the surname RANA was Raja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), the founder of the Sikh Empire in the Punjab region. He was known for his military campaigns and his efforts to unite the Sikh kingdoms under his rule.

The RANA surname has also been recorded in various historical documents and manuscripts, such as the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative manual commissioned by Emperor Akbar, which mentions the name in connection with the Rajput rulers.

Other notable individuals with the RANA surname include:

1. Kavi Rana (14th century), a renowned poet and scholar from Gujarat. 2. Rana Sanga (1484-1528), a Rajput warrior and ruler of the Mewar kingdom, who fought against the Mughal Empire. 3. Rana Bhim Singh (1778-1823), a Rajput ruler of the princely state of Jaipur. 4. Rana Hamir Singh (1472-1528), a Rajput ruler of the Rathore clan, who fought against the Mughal Empire. 5. Rana Udai Singh II (1537-1572), a Rajput ruler of Mewar, known for his architectural contributions, including the construction of the Udai Vilas Palace.

The RANA surname has a rich history and is deeply rooted in the martial traditions of India, particularly among the Rajput warriors and rulers. Its association with bravery, nobility, and military prowess has made it a prominent surname in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rana families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rana 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. Somerset leads with 1 Ranas recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.52x.

County Total Index
Somerset 1 64.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Corston in Somerset leads with 1 Ranas recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Corston 1 0.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 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 Rana households.

Occupation Count
Housemaid (Domestic) 1

FAQ

Rana surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rana surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Rana surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,477 in 2016. That gives Rana a modern rank of #1,521.

What does the Rana surname mean?

A surname of Italian and Spanish origin referring to a person who lived near or worked with frogs.

What does the Rana map show?

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