NameCensus.

UK surname

Sarah

A feminine form of the Hebrew name Sarah meaning 'princess'.

In the 1881 census there were 199 people recorded with the Sarah surname, ranking it #12,880 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 251, ranked #16,744, down from #12,880 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stithians, London parishes and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Cornwall and Newport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sarah is 544 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.1%.

1881 census count

199

Ranked #12,880

Modern count

251

2016, ranked #16,744

Peak year

1851

544 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sarah had 199 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,880 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016, ranked #16,744.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 544 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Sarah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sarah surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sarah 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 544 #4,643
1861 historical 466 #5,573
1881 historical 199 #12,880
1891 historical 202 #14,808
1901 historical 155 #17,704
1911 historical 286 #11,810
1997 modern 123 #23,792
1998 modern 102 #27,314
1999 modern 123 #24,643
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 99 #27,534
2002 modern 111 #26,291
2003 modern 102 #27,383
2004 modern 101 #27,813
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 125 #24,611
2007 modern 150 #22,212
2008 modern 157 #21,766
2009 modern 152 #22,716
2010 modern 155 #22,985
2011 modern 160 #22,282
2012 modern 192 #19,730
2013 modern 212 #18,820
2014 modern 218 #18,583
2015 modern 229 #17,846
2016 modern 251 #16,744

Geography

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Where Sarahs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stithians, London parishes, St James Clerkenwell and St Austell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Kensington and Chelsea, Cornwall, Newport, Wandsworth and Manchester. 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 Stithians Cornwall
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
5 St Austell Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Kensington and Chelsea 008 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Cornwall 041 Cornwall
3 Newport 014 Newport
4 Wandsworth 021 Wandsworth
5 Manchester 032 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sarah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sarah

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Sarah surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Sarah 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Sarah 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

Sarah 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sarah

The surname "SARAH" is not a common surname, but rather a given name or first name that has its origins in the Hebrew language. The name Sarah is derived from the Hebrew word "sarah," which means "princess" or "noblewoman." It is a name that has been used for centuries and has a rich history and significance.

The biblical character Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is one of the earliest recorded instances of this name. She is mentioned in the Book of Genesis and is considered a significant figure in the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The name Sarah gained popularity among Jewish and Christian communities due to its biblical roots.

In the Middle Ages, the name Sarah was relatively uncommon in Europe, but it did appear in some historical records and documents. One notable example is the Domesday Book, a manuscript compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, which recorded the names of landowners and tenants in England. There are a few entries in the Domesday Book that mention individuals with the name Sarah.

As the name Sarah spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations and adaptations. In some regions, it was spelled as "Sara" or "Sarra," while in others, it was written as "Sarai" or "Sare." These variations often reflected local dialects and language influences.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Sarah:

1. Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879), an American writer and influential advocate for the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the United States.

2. Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923), a renowned French actress and one of the most famous performers of the 19th century.

3. Sarah Winnemucca (c. 1844-1891), a prominent activist and educator from the Paiute tribe, who worked to preserve Native American traditions and rights.

4. Sarah Breedlove (1867-1919), better known as Madam C.J. Walker, an African American entrepreneur and philanthropist who became one of the first self-made female millionaires in the United States through her hair care products and business ventures.

5. Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990), an influential American jazz singer and one of the most celebrated vocalists of the 20th century.

While the surname "SARAH" is not commonly found in historical records, the name itself has a rich cultural and religious significance, particularly in the Abrahamic faiths. Its popularity and usage have spanned centuries, and it has been borne by notable figures across various fields and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sarah families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sarah 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 95 Sarahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.01x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 95 43.01x
Devon 43 10.59x
Lancashire 14 0.60x
Surrey 14 1.47x
Caernarfonshire 11 13.95x
Hampshire 5 1.25x
Middlesex 4 0.21x
Staffordshire 3 0.46x
Montgomeryshire 2 4.47x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.76x
Wiltshire 2 1.16x
Carmarthenshire 1 1.22x
Cumberland 1 0.60x
Essex 1 0.26x
Royal Navy 1 4.30x
Somerset 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Stithians in Cornwall leads with 17 Sarahs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1393.44x.

Place Total Index
St Stithians 17 1393.44x
Falmouth 14 179.03x
Tormoham 11 64.03x
Camberwell 10 8.02x
Newton Abbot St Nicholas 9 1084.34x
St Cleer 9 468.75x
Kea 8 484.85x
Llanllyfni 8 215.05x
Illogan 7 119.66x
Perranarworthal 7 945.95x
St Austell 7 92.72x
Pendlebury 5 102.25x
Plymouth St Andrew 5 15.98x
Plympton St Mary 5 212.77x
Portsea 5 6.38x
Wendron 5 162.87x
Kenwyn 4 69.20x
Mevagissey 4 272.11x
Dawlish 3 99.01x
East Teignmouth 3 180.72x
Lambeth 3 1.76x
Plymouth Charles The 3 16.77x
St Neot 3 344.83x
Carlton In Lindrick 2 285.71x
East Stonehouse 2 25.00x
Eglwys Rhos 2 202.02x
Great Bolton 2 6.52x
Liskeard 2 54.05x
Oldham 2 2.68x
Pool 2 59.35x
Sherston Magna 2 192.31x
St Just In Roseland 2 206.19x
Bangor 1 13.14x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.18x
Blatchinworth 1 18.98x
Camborne 1 10.99x
Gerrans 1 166.67x
Guildford Holy Trinity 1 55.25x
Hindley 1 10.13x
Layton With Warbreck 1 11.76x
Llanfairarybryn 1 116.28x
Lydeard St Lawrence 1 285.71x
Mabe 1 222.22x
Messing 1 208.33x
Millom 1 19.42x
Quarnford 1 344.83x
Redruth 1 16.00x
Royal Navy 1 5.03x
Rusholme 1 16.21x
Sidmouth 1 43.10x
Sithney 1 44.84x
St George Hanover 1 3.93x
St George Martyr 1 30.40x
Tottenham 1 3.22x
Truro St Mary 1 53.76x
West Bromwich 1 2.65x
West Derby 1 1.48x
Winkleigh 1 121.95x
Wolstanton 1 5.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Elizabeth 8
Ann 4
Emma 4
Sarah 4
Emily 3
Grace 3
Harriet 3
Jane 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Annie 2
Clara 2
Eliz. 2
Eliza 2
Ellen 2
Florence 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Maria 2
Priscilla 2
Wife 2
Avis 1
Betty 1
Catherine 1
Clarinda 1
Constance 1
Cordelia 1
Dorcas 1
Eleanor 1
Georgina 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
I. 1
Jenne 1
Johanna 1
Kate 1
Kathy 1
Laura 1
Letitia 1
Lilian 1
Lillie 1
Linda 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Pamela 1
Philippa 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 14
William 14
Richard 8
George 6
Alfred 4
Joseph 4
Edwin 3
Frederick 3
Henry 3
James 3
Charles 2
Edward 2
Felix 2
Francis 2
Harry 2
Hugh 2
Nicholas 2
Samuel 2
Thomas 2
Alphia 1
Andrew 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Daur 1
Percis 1
Thos.E. 1
Timothy 1
Vincent 1
Will. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Sarah surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sarah surname in 1881?

In 1881, 199 people were recorded with the Sarah surname. That placed it at #12,880 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sarah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016. That gives Sarah a modern rank of #16,744.

What does the Sarah surname mean?

A feminine form of the Hebrew name Sarah meaning 'princess'.

What does the Sarah map show?

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