NameCensus.

UK surname

Salas

A Spanish habitational surname indicating the individual originated from a place called Salas, derived from "sala" meaning "hall".

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Salas surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 169, ranked #21,884, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Haringey, Waveney and Reigate and Banstead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Salas is 169 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4125.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

169

2016, ranked #21,884

Peak year

2016

169 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Salas had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 169 in 2016, ranked #21,884.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Salas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Salas surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Salas 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
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 11 #32,907
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 38 #33,872
1998 modern 47 #33,197
1999 modern 49 #33,130
2000 modern 57 #32,417
2001 modern 58 #32,180
2002 modern 55 #32,831
2003 modern 48 #33,533
2004 modern 56 #33,067
2005 modern 66 #32,303
2006 modern 79 #31,263
2007 modern 87 #30,666
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 91 #30,944
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 96 #30,721
2012 modern 146 #23,681
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 162 #22,624
2015 modern 161 #22,599
2016 modern 169 #21,884

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 Haringey, Waveney, Reigate and Banstead, Kensington and Chelsea and Bexley. 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 Haringey 036 Haringey
2 Waveney 004 Waveney
3 Reigate and Banstead 011 Reigate and Banstead
4 Kensington and Chelsea 018 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Bexley 017 Bexley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Salas

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Salas

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

Salas 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

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

Meaning and origin of Salas

The surname Salas has its origins in Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "sala," which means "hall" or "living room." The name is believed to have originated as a locational surname, referring to someone who lived near or worked in a prominent hall or manor house.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Salas can be found in the Cartulario de San Millán de la Cogolla, a 12th-century manuscript from the Kingdom of Navarre. This document mentions a certain "Domingo de Salas" who lived in the village of Salas de los Infantes, located in the province of Burgos.

During the 13th century, the name Salas appeared in various records and charters from the regions of Castile and León. For example, a certain "Gonzalo Martínez de Salas" was mentioned in a document from the city of Valladolid, dated 1267.

The Salas surname is also closely associated with the town of Salas, located in the principality of Asturias. This town was once a significant center of power during the Middle Ages, and it is believed that many individuals who lived or worked in the town adopted the surname Salas.

One of the most notable historical figures with the surname Salas was Alonso de Salas Barbadillo (1581-1635), a Spanish writer and playwright from Madrid. He was known for his satirical works and plays, which often criticized the social and political issues of his time.

Another famous individual with the Salas surname was Pedro de Salas (1584-1667), a Spanish Jesuit mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and was involved in the reform of the Gregorian calendar.

In the 19th century, José Venancio López Salas (1803-1873) was a Mexican politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and as the interim President of Mexico for a brief period in 1859.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Salas in the Americas can be traced back to Juan de Salas, a Spanish conquistador who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century.

Lastly, Félix María de Salas y Calvo (1808-1876) was a Spanish writer, historian, and politician who served as the Minister of State and the President of the Congress of Deputies in Spain during the 19th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Salas families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Salas 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. Surrey leads with 2 Salas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.57x.

County Total Index
Surrey 2 10.57x
Kent 1 7.54x
Middlesex 1 2.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Southwark St George Martyr in Surrey leads with 2 Salas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 256.41x.

Place Total Index
Southwark St George Martyr 2 256.41x
Maidstone 1 256.41x
Tottenham 1 161.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Cecilia 1
Charlotte 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Luis 1
William 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 Salas households.

FAQ

Salas surname: questions and answers

How common was the Salas surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Salas surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Salas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 169 in 2016. That gives Salas a modern rank of #21,884.

What does the Salas surname mean?

A Spanish habitational surname indicating the individual originated from a place called Salas, derived from "sala" meaning "hall".

What does the Salas map show?

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