NameCensus.

UK surname

Rojas

A Spanish surname derived from the word "rojo," meaning "red," likely referring to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Rojas surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 279, ranked #15,534, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derby, Wrexham and Lewisham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rojas is 279 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13850.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

279

2016, ranked #15,534

Peak year

2016

279 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rojas had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 279 in 2016, ranked #15,534.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Rojas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rojas surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rojas 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 4 #33,628
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 16 #31,804
1997 modern 92 #28,079
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 101 #27,617
2000 modern 106 #26,848
2001 modern 107 #26,328
2002 modern 102 #27,596
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 137 #23,098
2005 modern 138 #22,999
2006 modern 147 #22,221
2007 modern 159 #21,387
2008 modern 179 #20,015
2009 modern 197 #19,218
2010 modern 231 #17,711
2011 modern 221 #18,039
2012 modern 244 #16,793
2013 modern 246 #16,979
2014 modern 262 #16,380
2015 modern 267 #16,050
2016 modern 279 #15,534

Geography

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Where Rojas' 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 Derby, Wrexham, Lewisham and Wokingham. 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 Derby 011 Derby
2 Wrexham 014 Wrexham
3 Lewisham 001 Lewisham
4 Lewisham 033 Lewisham
5 Wokingham 015 Wokingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rojas

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rojas

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Rojas is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rojas 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

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

Meaning and origin of Rojas

The surname Rojas originates from Spain and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "rojo," meaning red, which suggests that the name was originally given as a nickname to someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is the appearance of the name in the Libro de la Montería, a hunting manuscript commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile in the 14th century.

In the 15th century, the Rojas family gained prominence in Spain, with several members holding influential positions in the court of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. One of the most notable figures was Francisco de Rojas, a Spanish poet and playwright born in 1470, best known for his work "La Celestina."

As the Spanish empire expanded, the surname Rojas spread to various parts of the Americas. In the 16th century, Juan de Rojas, a Spanish conquistador, participated in the conquest of Chile and later became the first governor of the city of Mendoza, Argentina.

Another prominent individual with the surname Rojas was Agustín de Rojas, a Spanish poet and dramatist born in 1572 in Seville. He is renowned for his plays, which often explored themes of honor and morality.

In the 18th century, Juan Manuel de Rosas, a prominent Argentine military officer and politician, played a significant role in the country's history. He served as the governor of Buenos Aires province from 1829 to 1832 and again from 1835 to 1852.

During the 19th century, the Rojas surname gained recognition in various fields. One notable figure was Fernando de Rojas, a Mexican architect and engineer born in 1838, who designed several important buildings in Mexico City, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

In the 20th century, Miguel Rojas-Mix, a Chilean writer and literary critic born in 1934, made significant contributions to the study of Latin American literature and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rojas families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rojas 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 2 Rojas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hampstead London in Middlesex leads with 2 Rojas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 666.67x.

Place Total Index
Hampstead London 2 666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Celia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Harry 1

FAQ

Rojas surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rojas surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Rojas surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rojas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 279 in 2016. That gives Rojas a modern rank of #15,534.

What does the Rojas surname mean?

A Spanish surname derived from the word "rojo," meaning "red," likely referring to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

What does the Rojas map show?

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