NameCensus.

UK surname

Salama

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "safety" or "peace".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Calderdale, Hounslow and Brighton and Hove.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Salama is 192 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

192

2016, ranked #20,118

Peak year

2016

192 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016, ranked #20,118.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Salama surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Salama surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Salama 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 82 #29,325
1998 modern 86 #29,343
1999 modern 80 #30,152
2000 modern 91 #28,952
2001 modern 90 #28,793
2002 modern 104 #27,303
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 128 #24,117
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 126 #24,493
2007 modern 136 #23,708
2008 modern 142 #23,270
2009 modern 152 #22,716
2010 modern 179 #20,886
2011 modern 169 #21,499
2012 modern 173 #21,135
2013 modern 170 #21,726
2014 modern 185 #20,739
2015 modern 188 #20,417
2016 modern 192 #20,118

Geography

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Where Salamas 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 Calderdale, Hounslow, Brighton and Hove, Richmond upon Thames and Cardiff. 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 Calderdale 017 Calderdale
2 Hounslow 009 Hounslow
3 Brighton and Hove 020 Brighton and Hove
4 Richmond upon Thames 002 Richmond upon Thames
5 Cardiff 046 Cardiff

Forenames

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First names often paired with Salama

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

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

Salama 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

Salama 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 Salama 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Salama

The surname Salama is believed to have originated from the Arabic word "Salama," which means "peace" or "safety." This name is commonly found in various parts of the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in countries with a significant Arab population.

The earliest known records of the surname Salama can be traced back to the 7th century, during the time of the Islamic conquests and the spread of the Arabic language and culture across the region. It is possible that the name was initially adopted by individuals or families who embraced the principles of peace and safety as embodied in the Islamic faith.

In the 11th century, the name Salama appeared in several historical documents and manuscripts from the region, including chronicles and literary works. One notable example is the writings of the renowned Arab polymath and philosopher, Al-Biruni, who mentioned individuals with the surname Salama in his works.

During the medieval period, the surname Salama was also found in various regions of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Moors had established their presence. Several prominent figures from this era bore the name, including Abu Salama al-Rundi, a 12th-century Andalusian poet and scholar from Ronda, Spain.

In the 14th century, the name Salama appeared in records from the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, indicating its presence in the region at that time. One notable figure was Salama ibn Muhammad al-Misri, a 14th-century Egyptian jurist and scholar who wrote extensively on Islamic law and jurisprudence.

As the Arabic-speaking world expanded, the surname Salama spread to other regions, including parts of the Levant and North Africa. In the 16th century, the name was recorded in Ottoman Empire documents, with individuals such as Salama al-Halabi, a renowned 16th-century Syrian scholar and writer, bearing the name.

Throughout history, the surname Salama has been associated with various professions, including scholars, poets, jurists, and religious figures. Some other notable individuals who carried this name include Ahmad Salama Pasha (1836-1925), an Egyptian poet and playwright; Salama Moussa (1887-1958), an Egyptian writer and intellectual; and Salama Khadra al-Jayyusi (1926-2021), a renowned Syrian literary critic and academic.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Salama surname: questions and answers

How common is the Salama surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016. That gives Salama a modern rank of #20,118.

What does the Salama surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "safety" or "peace".

What does the Salama map show?

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