NameCensus.

UK surname

Reale

Derived from the Italian word meaning "royal" or "regal," indicating a connection to a royal lineage or a regal bearing.

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Reale surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 151, ranked #23,615, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Belgrave, St Leonard Shoreditch and Aldershot. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Paisley East, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Redbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Reale is 155 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1787.5%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

151

2016, ranked #23,615

Peak year

2014

155 bearers

Map years

5

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Reale had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016, ranked #23,615.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 138 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Reale surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Reale surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Reale 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 16 #30,441
1861 historical 138 #16,365
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 129 #20,285
1901 historical 22 #31,562
1911 historical 33 #29,703
1997 modern 115 #24,834
1998 modern 129 #23,722
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 127 #24,121
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 133 #23,585
2003 modern 119 #25,026
2004 modern 121 #24,939
2005 modern 119 #25,193
2006 modern 122 #25,010
2007 modern 126 #24,860
2008 modern 126 #25,131
2009 modern 131 #25,056
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 130 #25,547
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 154 #23,210
2014 modern 155 #23,333
2015 modern 153 #23,413
2016 modern 151 #23,615

Geography

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Where Reales are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Belgrave, St Leonard Shoreditch, Aldershot, London parishes and Isleworth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Paisley East, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Redbridge, Lewisham and Cheshire East. 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 Belgrave Leicestershire
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 Aldershot Surrey
4 London parishes London 3
5 Isleworth Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Paisley East Renfrewshire
2 Newcastle-under-Lyme 005 Newcastle-under-Lyme
3 Redbridge 010 Redbridge
4 Lewisham 009 Lewisham
5 Cheshire East 040 Cheshire East

Forenames

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First names often paired with Reale

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Reale

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Reale 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

Reale 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

Reale falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Reale 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 Reale, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Reale

The surname Reale originated in Italy, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Italian word "reale," meaning "royal" or "regal." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been individuals with ties to nobility or those who served in royal households.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Reale surname can be found in the historic city of Naples, which was a prominent center of cultural and political significance during the Middle Ages. Records from the 13th century mention a noble family bearing the Reale name, indicating their influential status within the region.

In the 14th century, the Reale surname appeared in various documents and chronicles from the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. This area was renowned for its vineyards and wine production, and it is possible that some Reale families were involved in this industry.

During the Renaissance era, the Reale name gained further prominence. Historical records from the 15th and 16th centuries mention notable individuals bearing this surname. One such figure was Giovanni Battista Reale (1510-1578), a renowned architect and sculptor from Naples who contributed to the design and construction of several churches and palaces in the city.

Another prominent Reale was Oronzo Gabriele Reale (1635-1718), a Neapolitan philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on metaphysics and ethics. His works, such as "Philosophical Dialogues" and "The True Metaphysics," were widely read and influential during his time.

In the 18th century, the Reale surname was also associated with the arts. Carlo Reale (1731-1805) was an Italian painter and engraver from Naples, known for his religious and mythological works. He was a member of the prestigious Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli (Academy of Fine Arts of Naples).

Over the centuries, variations of the Reale surname emerged, including Reali, Reale, and Realini. These variations often reflected regional dialects or linguistic adaptations. Additionally, certain place names and locations in Italy, such as Reale, a small town in the province of Caserta, may have contributed to the development of the surname.

While the Reale surname has its origins in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora. However, this report focuses solely on the historical origins and significance of the surname within the Italian context.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Reale families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Reale 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. Surrey leads with 3 Reales recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.89x.

County Total Index
Surrey 3 7.89x
Buckinghamshire 1 21.19x
Kent 1 3.76x
Lincolnshire 1 8.02x
Middlesex 1 1.28x
Nottinghamshire 1 9.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wimbledon in Surrey leads with 3 Reales recorded in 1881 and an index of 697.67x.

Place Total Index
Wimbledon 3 697.67x
Burnham 1 1666.67x
Folkestone 1 192.31x
Hackney London 1 22.88x
Mansfield 1 277.78x
St Swithin Lincoln 1 500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 1
Dolorosa 1
Fanny 1
Lizzie 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Gaetano 1
John 1
Mifhalo 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 Reale households.

FAQ

Reale surname: questions and answers

How common was the Reale surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Reale surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Reale surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016. That gives Reale a modern rank of #23,615.

What does the Reale surname mean?

Derived from the Italian word meaning "royal" or "regal," indicating a connection to a royal lineage or a regal bearing.

What does the Reale map show?

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