NameCensus.

UK surname

Sana

An Arabic surname meaning "splendor" or "brilliance".

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Sana surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 165, ranked #22,234, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Reading, Bolton and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sana is 165 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8150.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

165

2016, ranked #22,234

Peak year

2016

165 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sana had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016, ranked #22,234.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Sana surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sana surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sana 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 8 #32,887
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 21 #35,692
1998 modern 16 #36,361
1999 modern 20 #35,923
2000 modern 22 #35,684
2001 modern 24 #35,357
2002 modern 31 #34,866
2003 modern 36 #34,522
2004 modern 44 #34,053
2005 modern 65 #32,387
2006 modern 82 #30,933
2007 modern 107 #27,557
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 113 #27,520
2010 modern 119 #27,250
2011 modern 116 #27,477
2012 modern 142 #24,148
2013 modern 153 #23,314
2014 modern 160 #22,824
2015 modern 153 #23,413
2016 modern 165 #22,234

Geography

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Where Sanas 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 Reading, Bolton, Manchester, Slough and Ealing. 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 Reading 011 Reading
2 Bolton 015 Bolton
3 Manchester 028 Manchester
4 Slough 005 Slough
5 Ealing 002 Ealing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sana

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

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Sana is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Sana 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sana

The surname SANA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, with its roots traced back to the Sanskrit language. The name is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "sana," which means "ancient" or "old." This suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon individuals or families with a long-standing heritage or lineage.

In the early centuries of the first millennium, the name SANA appeared in various ancient Indian texts and manuscripts, including the Sanskrit epics and literary works. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Mahabharata, a renowned Indian epic poem, where it is mentioned in reference to a character or location.

During the medieval period, the name SANA gained prominence in various regions of the Indian subcontinent. Historical records from the 12th century mention individuals with the surname SANA holding influential positions in the royal courts and administrative bodies of various kingdoms. One notable figure was Sana Rai, a prominent minister and advisor to the ruling dynasty of the Kakatiya Kingdom in present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

As trade and cultural exchanges flourished along the ancient Silk Road, the name SANA spread beyond the Indian subcontinent. In the 13th century, records from the Safavid Dynasty in Persia (modern-day Iran) mention merchants and traders with the surname SANA engaged in commercial activities along the trade routes connecting South Asia and the Middle East.

In the 16th century, the name SANA appeared in the annals of the Mughal Empire, which ruled over vast territories in the Indian subcontinent. During this period, several individuals with the surname SANA held prominent positions in the Mughal court and administration. One such notable figure was Sana Khan, a high-ranking military commander who served under the reign of Emperor Akbar.

Throughout the centuries, the name SANA has been associated with various professions and walks of life. In the 18th century, Sana Bhatt, a renowned scholar and poet from the Kashmir region, gained recognition for his literary contributions. In the 19th century, Sana Ullah Khan, a prominent political figure from the region of present-day Pakistan, played a significant role in the struggle against British colonial rule.

While the surname SANA has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. Today, individuals with the surname SANA can be found across different continents, carrying forward the rich heritage and history of this ancient name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sana families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sana 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. Sussex leads with 2 Sanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.54x.

County Total Index
Sussex 2 61.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 1 Sanas recorded in 1881 and an index of 151.52x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 1 151.52x
Broadwater 1 1428.57x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 1
Sarah 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 Sana households.

Occupation Count
Housekeeper 1
Scholar 1

FAQ

Sana surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sana surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Sana surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sana surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 165 in 2016. That gives Sana a modern rank of #22,234.

What does the Sana surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "splendor" or "brilliance".

What does the Sana map show?

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