NameCensus.

UK surname

Saber

A surname referring to one who was skilled with a sword or fencing weapon.

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Saber surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 242, ranked #17,177, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hilltown, Camden and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Saber is 242 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1412.5%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

242

2016, ranked #17,177

Peak year

2016

242 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Saber had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016, ranked #17,177.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 39 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Saber surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Saber surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Saber 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 6 #32,278
1861 historical 39 #29,099
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 19 #32,642
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1911 historical 12 #32,302
1997 modern 68 #30,810
1998 modern 79 #30,080
1999 modern 86 #29,496
2000 modern 92 #28,832
2001 modern 99 #27,534
2002 modern 113 #26,024
2003 modern 123 #24,497
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 143 #22,473
2006 modern 151 #21,818
2007 modern 167 #20,719
2008 modern 182 #19,800
2009 modern 197 #19,218
2010 modern 224 #18,047
2011 modern 220 #18,096
2012 modern 233 #17,339
2013 modern 234 #17,556
2014 modern 239 #17,429
2015 modern 238 #17,378
2016 modern 242 #17,177

Geography

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Where Sabers 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 Hilltown, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham and Birmingham. 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 Hilltown Dundee City
2 Camden 004 Camden
3 Hammersmith and Fulham 015 Hammersmith and Fulham
4 Birmingham 082 Birmingham
5 Birmingham 030 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Saber

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Saber 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

Saber 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

Saber falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Saber 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Saber

The surname Saber is believed to have originated in Spain, with its roots traceable back to the medieval era. The name is derived from the Spanish word "sable," which means "sword" or "saber." This connection suggests that the name may have been adopted by individuals who were skilled swordsmen or involved in military activities.

One of the earliest known references to the Saber surname can be found in the census records of the Kingdom of Aragon in the 14th century. These records document families bearing the name Saber residing in various regions, including the province of Zaragoza. It is possible that the name was initially associated with a particular trade or profession related to the manufacturing or wielding of swords.

The Saber surname also appears in several historical documents from the 15th and 16th centuries, such as property records and legal contracts. These records indicate that the name was well-established in Spain during this period and had spread to other parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

One notable individual bearing the Saber surname was Pedro Saber, a Spanish soldier who fought in the Reconquista, the campaign to reclaim territories from the Moors in the late 15th century. His bravery and skill with the saber earned him recognition and likely contributed to the association of the name with military prowess.

Another historical figure was Catalina Saber, a renowned poet and writer from Seville, who lived in the 16th century. Her works, which celebrated the beauty of her homeland and explored themes of love and spirituality, brought her widespread acclaim.

In the 17th century, Juan Saber, a wealthy merchant from Cádiz, made significant contributions to the city's economic development through his trading ventures. His success and influence helped to further establish the Saber name in Spain.

During the Spanish colonial era, the Saber surname spread to the Americas, as settlers and explorers from Spain established new communities. One such individual was Diego Saber, a conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to conquer Mexico in the early 16th century.

Over the centuries, the Saber surname has continued to be prominent in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, with various branches and variations emerging, such as Sabér, Sabre, and Sabré. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation, its connection to the sword and military heritage remains a significant part of its historical legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Saber families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Saber 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 11 Sabers recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.05x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 11 7.05x
Lancashire 3 1.62x
Kent 1 1.88x
Yorkshire 1 0.65x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 5 Sabers recorded in 1881 and an index of 33.07x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 5 33.07x
Liverpool 3 26.69x
Paddington London 3 52.26x
Hackney London 2 22.86x
Ashford 1 192.31x
Clerkenwell London 1 27.17x
Nether Hallam 1 47.85x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Caroline 2
Elizabeth 2
Agness 1
Eliza 1
George 1
Kate 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 2
A.L.S. 1
James 1
Lewis 1
William 1
Woolf 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 Saber households.

FAQ

Saber surname: questions and answers

How common was the Saber surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Saber surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Saber surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016. That gives Saber a modern rank of #17,177.

What does the Saber surname mean?

A surname referring to one who was skilled with a sword or fencing weapon.

What does the Saber map show?

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