NameCensus.

UK surname

Sara

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "traveler".

In the 1881 census there were 201 people recorded with the Sara surname, ranking it #12,791 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 353, ranked #13,081, down from #12,791 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Redruth, Perran Arworthal and Gluvias. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sara is 353 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 75.6%.

1881 census count

201

Ranked #12,791

Modern count

353

2016, ranked #13,081

Peak year

2016

353 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sara had 201 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,791 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 353 in 2016, ranked #13,081.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 277 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Sara surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sara surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Sara 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 101 #17,036
1861 historical 85 #22,922
1881 historical 201 #12,791
1891 historical 206 #14,597
1901 historical 277 #12,281
1911 historical 262 #12,501
1997 modern 214 #16,893
1998 modern 211 #17,532
1999 modern 213 #17,550
2000 modern 215 #17,388
2001 modern 206 #17,624
2002 modern 213 #17,603
2003 modern 211 #17,513
2004 modern 218 #17,230
2005 modern 207 #17,731
2006 modern 225 #16,941
2007 modern 231 #16,835
2008 modern 246 #16,247
2009 modern 250 #16,421
2010 modern 265 #16,115
2011 modern 269 #15,800
2012 modern 301 #14,476
2013 modern 309 #14,451
2014 modern 330 #13,889
2015 modern 332 #13,705
2016 modern 353 #13,081

Geography

Back to top

Where Saras are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Redruth, Perran Arworthal, Gluvias, Mylor and Falmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Redruth Cornwall
2 Perran Arworthal Cornwall
3 Gluvias Cornwall
4 Mylor Cornwall
5 Falmouth Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 053 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 051 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 055 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 052 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 015 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Sara

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Sara

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Sara surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Sara household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Sara 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

Sara 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

Sara falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sara is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Sara

The surname SARA has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of India and Pakistan. It can be traced back to the Sanskrit word "सारथी" (sārathi), which means "charioteer" or "one who drives a chariot." This name was historically associated with the warrior class and those who played a crucial role in ancient battles, often accompanying kings and princes into combat while driving their chariots.

SARA is believed to have first appeared as a surname during the medieval period, when it was adopted by families whose ancestors were charioteers or held similar occupations related to transportation and warfare. The name is found in various historical records and manuscripts from that era, including Persian and Arabic texts that document the exploits of notable warriors and military leaders.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname SARA can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text mentions several individuals with the surname SARA who held prominent positions in the imperial court and military.

In the 17th century, a renowned warrior named Daulat Khan SARA gained recognition for his bravery and military prowess during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. He was appointed as the governor of several provinces and played a significant role in quelling rebellions and defending the empire's territories.

Another notable figure with the surname SARA was Mirza Haider Beg SARA, a 17th-century poet and scholar who served as a courtier under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. His literary works, including poetry and historical accounts, are still studied and acclaimed today.

During the 18th century, the SARA surname gained prominence in the region of Punjab, where several families with this name held influential positions in local administration and military affairs. One such individual was Sardar Gurmukh Singh SARA, a powerful chieftain who commanded a contingent of cavalry during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire.

In the 19th century, the SARA surname became associated with various place names in the Indian subcontinent, such as Saradhana, Sarai, and Sarahpur, which were derived from the name or were named after individuals bearing this surname.

Over the centuries, the SARA surname has been spelled in various ways, including Sarra, Sarraa, and Sarrah, reflecting regional variations and linguistic influences. Despite these variations, the name's connection to its ancient roots as a representation of courage, leadership, and military prowess has remained a consistent theme throughout its history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Sara families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sara 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. Cornwall leads with 148 Saras recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.35x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 148 67.35x
Durham 13 2.25x
Devon 9 2.23x
Glamorgan 7 2.07x
Lancashire 5 0.22x
Staffordshire 5 0.76x
Surrey 4 0.42x
Channel Islands 3 5.22x
Middlesex 3 0.15x
Kent 1 0.15x
Northumberland 1 0.35x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Gluvias in Cornwall leads with 21 Saras recorded in 1881 and an index of 1707.32x.

Place Total Index
St Gluvias 21 1707.32x
Redruth 18 289.39x
Perranarworthal 17 2328.77x
Mylor 16 1088.44x
St Just In Roseland 11 1145.83x
St Gluvias Penryn 10 568.18x
Camborne 9 99.45x
Falmouth 9 115.68x
East Stonehouse 8 100.50x
Kenwyn 8 139.13x
St Agnes 8 259.74x
Hetton Le Hole 7 95.63x
St Clement 7 305.68x
Collierley 6 233.46x
St John Near Swansea 6 143.54x
Barton Upon Irwell 4 23.07x
Feock 4 289.86x
Handsworth 4 24.77x
St Stithians 4 330.58x
Lambeth 3 1.77x
St Peter Port 3 28.20x
St Erme 2 588.24x
Budock 1 60.61x
Cardiff St Mary 1 5.37x
Diptford 1 227.27x
Illogan 1 17.18x
Kensington London 1 0.93x
Leemailing 1 833.33x
Liverpool 1 0.71x
Mabe 1 222.22x
Musden Grange 1 10000.00x
Southwark St George Martyr 1 2.56x
St Marylebone London 1 0.97x
Truro St Mary 1 54.05x
Westminster St 1 13.97x
Wrotham 1 45.66x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Elizabeth 8
Annie 6
Alice 5
Eliza 4
Emily 4
Sarah 4
Fanny 3
Caroline 2
Clara 2
Evelyn 2
Grace 2
Harriet 2
Phillippa 2
Sophia 2
Amelia 1
Anne 1
Carrie 1
Catherine 1
Celia 1
Dmelia 1
E. 1
Edith 1
Eleaner 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Elsie 1
Emelia 1
Emma 1
Evelina 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Helena 1
Ida 1
Janie 1
Josephine 1
Julia 1
Laura 1
Leonora 1
Mabel 1
Marah 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Marianne 1
Martha 1
Rebecca 1
Roina 1
Rose 1
Selina 1
William 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Sara surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sara surname in 1881?

In 1881, 201 people were recorded with the Sara surname. That placed it at #12,791 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sara surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 353 in 2016. That gives Sara a modern rank of #13,081.

What does the Sara surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "traveler".

What does the Sara map show?

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