NameCensus.

UK surname

Sala

An Italian occupational surname referring to a hall or large room, likely derived from the word "sala."

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Sala surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 282, ranked #15,406, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Cornwall and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sala is 287 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1662.5%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

282

2016, ranked #15,406

Peak year

2015

287 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sala had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016, ranked #15,406.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 35 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Sala surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sala surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sala 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 26 #28,667
1861 historical 24 #30,922
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 24 #32,320
1901 historical 27 #31,057
1911 historical 35 #29,478
1997 modern 89 #28,490
1998 modern 89 #29,026
1999 modern 91 #28,937
2000 modern 96 #28,299
2001 modern 96 #27,976
2002 modern 110 #26,412
2003 modern 97 #28,217
2004 modern 109 #26,607
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 124 #24,750
2007 modern 147 #22,510
2008 modern 168 #20,828
2009 modern 199 #19,090
2010 modern 221 #18,205
2011 modern 221 #18,039
2012 modern 264 #15,904
2013 modern 268 #16,005
2014 modern 274 #15,877
2015 modern 287 #15,235
2016 modern 282 #15,406

Geography

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Where Salas 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 Hackney, Cornwall, Islington, Maidstone and Hyndburn. 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 Hackney 011 Hackney
2 Cornwall 016 Cornwall
3 Islington 001 Islington
4 Maidstone 005 Maidstone
5 Hyndburn 001 Hyndburn

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sala

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sala

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Sala is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Sala 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

Sala falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Sala

The surname Sala has its origins in Italy, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "sala," meaning a hall or large room. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived or worked in a manor house or other grand dwelling.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Sala can be found in the historic Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of documents from the Lombard era in Italy. A certain Adelardo Sala is mentioned in a document from the year 735 AD, lending credence to the theory of the name's ancient Italian lineage.

During the Renaissance period, the Sala surname gained further prominence. In the 15th century, the Florentine artist Vincenzo Sala (1435-1506) achieved recognition for his intricate wood carvings and sculptural works adorning churches and public buildings throughout Italy. His artistic legacy serves as a testament to the cultural significance of this surname.

The name Sala has also been linked to various place names across Italy. For instance, the village of Sala Comacina, located near the picturesque Lake Como in Northern Italy, may have served as a source for the surname. Additionally, the town of Sala Baganza in the Emilia-Romagna region has historical ties to the Sala name.

Across the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the Sala surname. One such figure was Giovanni Battista Sala (1628-1714), a renowned Italian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. Another prominent bearer of the name was the 18th-century Italian composer and violinist Giovanni Sala (1720-1805), whose compositions were performed across Europe.

Moving into the 19th century, the Sala surname gained international recognition with the birth of the French novelist and playwright Lucien Sala (1833-1912). His works, which often explored themes of social injustice and the human condition, earned him widespread acclaim during his lifetime.

In the realm of politics, the Italian politician and statesman Luca Sala (1859-1924) left an indelible mark on his nation's history. As a member of the Italian Senate and a prominent figure in the Italian Socialist Party, he played a pivotal role in shaping the country's political landscape during the early 20th century.

Overall, the surname Sala boasts a rich and diverse history, spanning centuries and encompassing various fields of human endeavor. From its ancient Italian roots to its modern-day bearers, this name has woven itself into the tapestry of cultural, artistic, and intellectual achievements across multiple nations and eras.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sala families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sala 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 9 Salas recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.16x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 9 6.16x
Lanarkshire 4 8.47x
Lancashire 1 0.58x
Warwickshire 1 2.71x

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 4 Salas recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.25x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 4 28.25x
Barony 2 16.72x
Glasgow 2 23.84x
St Pancras London 2 17.01x
Westminster St 2 370.37x
Aston 1 9.86x
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 72.46x
St Anne Soho London 1 120.48x

Top female names

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

Name Count
A. 1
C. 1
Harriette 1
Matilda 1
Nelly 1
Phoebe 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
C. 1
Francisco 1
Giuseppe 1
Joseph 1
S. 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 Sala households.

FAQ

Sala surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sala surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Sala surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 282 in 2016. That gives Sala a modern rank of #15,406.

What does the Sala surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a hall or large room, likely derived from the word "sala."

What does the Sala map show?

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