NameCensus.

UK surname

Rivas

A Spanish habitational surname referring to someone from any of the numerous places named Rivas, meaning "river banks."

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Rivas surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 165, ranked #22,234, up from #32,081 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rivas is 165 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1400.0%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

165

2016, ranked #22,234

Peak year

2016

165 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rivas had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016, ranked #22,234.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Rivas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rivas surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rivas 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 10 #32,589
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 69 #30,712
1998 modern 78 #30,192
1999 modern 84 #29,700
2000 modern 86 #29,484
2001 modern 81 #29,828
2002 modern 79 #30,499
2003 modern 82 #30,206
2004 modern 99 #28,136
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 97 #28,793
2007 modern 98 #29,019
2008 modern 108 #27,684
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 141 #24,460
2011 modern 141 #24,294
2012 modern 131 #25,439
2013 modern 141 #24,670
2014 modern 149 #23,969
2015 modern 154 #23,306
2016 modern 165 #22,234

Geography

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Where Rivas' 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, Harrow, Lambeth, Wakefield and Brighton and Hove. 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 029 Leicester
2 Harrow 021 Harrow
3 Lambeth 016 Lambeth
4 Wakefield 002 Wakefield
5 Brighton and Hove 021 Brighton and Hove

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rivas

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

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

Rivas 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

Rivas 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 Rivas is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Rivas

The surname Rivas has its origins in Spain, where it first emerged during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "riba," which means "riverbank" or "shore," suggesting that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a river or coastal area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rivas can be found in the Becerro de las Behetrias, a medieval census document from the 14th century. This document lists several individuals with the surname Rivas, indicating that the name was already well-established at that time.

The name Rivas is also closely associated with the town of Rivas-Vaciamadrid, located near Madrid. This town likely took its name from the same root word as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and its geographical origins.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Rivas. One of the earliest was Pedro de Rivas (c. 1500 - c. 1570), a Spanish soldier and explorer who participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés. He later served as a royal treasurer and wrote a chronicle of the conquest.

Another prominent figure was Ángel de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas (1791 - 1865), a Spanish romantic poet, dramatist, and politician. He is considered one of the most important figures of the Spanish Romantic movement and is best known for his play "Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino" (Don Alvaro or the Force of Fate).

In the 20th century, Tomás Rivera (1935 - 1984) was a notable American author and academic of Mexican descent. He is best known for his novel "...y no se lo tragó la tierra" (...And the Earth Did Not Devour Him), which explored the experiences of migrant farm workers in the United States.

Another famous bearer of the name was Gerardo Rivas (1924 - 2015), a Chilean painter and sculptor known for his abstract and cubist works. He was a prominent figure in the Chilean art scene and his works are displayed in museums around the world.

Finally, Naty Revuelta Rivas (1966 - ), also known as Naty Revuelta, is a contemporary Spanish singer and actress. She has released several successful albums and has appeared in numerous television shows and films throughout her career.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rivas families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rivas 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 6 Rivas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.60x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 6 5.60x
Worcestershire 5 35.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Malvern in Worcestershire leads with 5 Rivas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1724.14x.

Place Total Index
Great Malvern 5 1724.14x
Mile End Old Town 4 236.69x
Islington London 2 19.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Caroline 1
Elizabeth 1
Jane 1
Martha 1
Mary 1
Mira 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Arturo 1
Frank 1
George 1
John 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 Rivas households.

FAQ

Rivas surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rivas surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Rivas surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rivas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016. That gives Rivas a modern rank of #22,234.

What does the Rivas surname mean?

A Spanish habitational surname referring to someone from any of the numerous places named Rivas, meaning "river banks."

What does the Rivas map show?

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