NameCensus.

UK surname

Sanna

A surname derived from the Hebrew name "Shannah", meaning "year" or "change".

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Sanna surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 161, ranked #22,606, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, Waltham Forest and Swansea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sanna is 161 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 3925.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

161

2016, ranked #22,606

Peak year

2016

161 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sanna had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016, ranked #22,606.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Sanna surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sanna surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sanna 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 3 #33,861
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 53 #32,329
1998 modern 58 #32,138
1999 modern 70 #31,135
2000 modern 72 #30,977
2001 modern 71 #30,907
2002 modern 78 #30,601
2003 modern 77 #30,762
2004 modern 75 #31,233
2005 modern 87 #29,966
2006 modern 99 #28,453
2007 modern 103 #28,187
2008 modern 113 #26,920
2009 modern 126 #25,686
2010 modern 135 #25,127
2011 modern 128 #25,793
2012 modern 143 #24,019
2013 modern 156 #23,004
2014 modern 159 #22,930
2015 modern 158 #22,913
2016 modern 161 #22,606

Geography

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Where Sannas 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 Wigan, Waltham Forest, Swansea, Bradford and Brent. 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 Wigan 018 Wigan
2 Waltham Forest 014 Waltham Forest
3 Swansea 028 Swansea
4 Bradford 061 Bradford
5 Brent 032 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sanna

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sanna

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

Sanna 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sanna

The surname SANNA has its origins in Italy, specifically in the regions of Sardinia and Sicily. It is believed to have emerged as early as the 11th century.

One theory suggests that SANNA is derived from the Latin word "sanna," which means "grimace" or "mocking expression." This could indicate that the name was initially given as a nickname to someone with a distinctive facial expression or demeanor.

Another possibility is that SANNA is connected to the Sardinian word "sanna," meaning "rock" or "stone." This theory is supported by the presence of several place names in Sardinia containing the word "sanna," such as Sanna Noa and Sanna Vecchia, implying that the surname may have originated from a location name.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname SANNA can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, a man named Petru Sanna was mentioned in a legal document from Cagliari, Sardinia, in 1289.

One notable bearer of the SANNA surname was Giovanni Sanna (1543-1591), a Sardinian poet and humanist who wrote several works in Latin and Italian. His poetry collection, "Arcadia," published in 1586, is considered a significant contribution to Renaissance literature.

Another prominent figure was Melchiorre Sanna (1776-1856), a Sicilian architect who designed several notable buildings in Palermo, including the Church of San Francesco di Paola and the Palazzo delle Finanze.

In the 20th century, Giuseppina Sanna (1886-1965) was a renowned Sardinian poet and writer who published several collections of poetry and novels, many of which celebrated the culture and traditions of her homeland.

More recently, Francesca Sanna (born 1991) is a contemporary Italian author and illustrator whose children's books, such as "The Journey" and "Me and My Fear," have received critical acclaim and numerous awards.

It's worth noting that while the surname SANNA is predominantly found in Italy, particularly in the regions of Sardinia and Sicily, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to immigration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sanna families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sanna 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. Angus leads with 4 Sannas recorded in 1881 and an index of 111.11x.

County Total Index
Angus 4 111.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liff Benvie in Angus leads with 4 Sannas recorded in 1881 and an index of 727.27x.

Place Total Index
Liff Benvie 4 727.27x

FAQ

Sanna surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sanna surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Sanna surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016. That gives Sanna a modern rank of #22,606.

What does the Sanna surname mean?

A surname derived from the Hebrew name "Shannah", meaning "year" or "change".

What does the Sanna map show?

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