NameCensus.

UK surname

Samara

A placename for people from Samara, a city in Russia.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Samara surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 114, ranked #28,515, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Berkshire, Blackburn with Darwen and Croydon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Samara is 114 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11300.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

114

2016, ranked #28,515

Peak year

2016

114 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Samara had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016, ranked #28,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Samara surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Samara surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Samara 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 9 #32,724
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 46 #33,077
1998 modern 60 #31,931
1999 modern 63 #31,798
2000 modern 65 #31,641
2001 modern 59 #32,080
2002 modern 68 #31,626
2003 modern 68 #31,689
2004 modern 66 #32,079
2005 modern 77 #31,156
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 81 #31,408
2008 modern 87 #30,999
2009 modern 81 #32,172
2010 modern 93 #31,239
2011 modern 89 #31,659
2012 modern 103 #29,733
2013 modern 105 #29,916
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 113 #28,645
2016 modern 114 #28,515

Geography

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Where Samaras 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 West Berkshire, Blackburn with Darwen, Croydon, Hounslow and Swindon. 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 West Berkshire 001 West Berkshire
2 Blackburn with Darwen 013 Blackburn with Darwen
3 Croydon 038 Croydon
4 Hounslow 011 Hounslow
5 Swindon 023 Swindon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Samara

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Samara

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Samara surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Samara household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Samara 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

Samara 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

Samara falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Samara

The surname "SAMARA" is of Russian origin, deriving from the city of Samara located on the Volga River in southwestern Russia. The name can be traced back to the early 16th century when the city was founded as a fortress settlement.

The name "Samara" itself is believed to have its roots in the Mordvin language, spoken by the indigenous Mordvin people of the region. It is thought to be derived from the words "samor" or "samar," meaning "crooked" or "winding," likely referring to the bend of the Volga River at that location.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name "Samara" can be found in the "Razryadnaya Kniga" (Book of Ranks), a historical document from the 16th century that listed military appointments and campaigns in Russia. This suggests that the surname may have initially been associated with individuals from the Samara region or those who had a connection to the city's military history.

During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the city of Samara played a strategic role in the conquest of the Volga region by Russian forces. It is possible that some individuals who participated in these campaigns or were stationed in Samara adopted the surname as a way to identify their connection to the city.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname "Samara" was Ivan Samara, a merchant and landowner who lived in the late 17th century. Another notable figure was Pyotr Samara, a military officer who served in the Crimean War (1853-1856) and received the Order of St. George for his bravery.

In the 19th century, the surname "Samara" became more widespread as the city grew in importance as a center of trade and industry. Some notable individuals with this surname from this period include:

1. Nikolai Samara (1829-1892), a Russian painter known for his landscapes and portraits. 2. Mikhail Samara (1855-1920), a prominent lawyer and legal scholar. 3. Evdokiya Samara (1870-1938), a Russian writer and activist for women's rights.

As the surname spread beyond the Samara region, it also acquired variations in spelling, such as "Samarov," "Samarovskiy," and "Samarsky," reflecting the influence of different linguistic and cultural traditions across the vast expanse of the Russian Empire.

Throughout history, the surname "Samara" has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, writers, military figures, and merchants, all with a connection, either directly or indirectly, to the city of Samara and its rich cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Samara families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Samara 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. Devon leads with 1 Samaras recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.75x.

County Total Index
Devon 1 49.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Littleham in Devon leads with 1 Samaras recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Littleham 1 10000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Katherine 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 Samara households.

FAQ

Samara surname: questions and answers

How common was the Samara surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Samara surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Samara surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016. That gives Samara a modern rank of #28,515.

What does the Samara surname mean?

A placename for people from Samara, a city in Russia.

What does the Samara map show?

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