NameCensus.

UK surname

Saraiva

A surname of Portuguese origin referring to a willow grove or willow tree area.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewisham, Barnet and Lambeth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Saraiva is 108 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

2015

108 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Saraiva surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Saraiva surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Saraiva 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 1 #33,412
1997 modern 22 #35,584
1998 modern 22 #35,687
1999 modern 21 #35,810
2000 modern 21 #35,799
2001 modern 21 #35,646
2002 modern 38 #34,307
2003 modern 33 #34,773
2004 modern 40 #34,387
2005 modern 45 #34,160
2006 modern 57 #33,513
2007 modern 62 #33,346
2008 modern 63 #33,498
2009 modern 75 #32,733
2010 modern 79 #32,759
2011 modern 85 #32,127
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 98 #31,078
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Saraivas 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 Lewisham, Barnet, Lambeth and South Somerset. 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 Lewisham 019 Lewisham
2 Barnet 026 Barnet
3 Lambeth 006 Lambeth
4 South Somerset 022 South Somerset
5 Lambeth 004 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Saraiva

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

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Saraiva is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Saraiva 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

Saraiva 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 Saraiva is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Saraiva

The surname Saraiva is believed to have originated in Portugal, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Portuguese word "saraiva," which means "hailstorm" or "hail." This connection suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive surname, perhaps given to someone who lived in an area prone to hailstorms or who experienced a significant hailstorm event.

Saraiva is a relatively uncommon surname, but it can be found in historical records from various regions of Portugal. One of the earliest documented mentions of the name dates back to the 13th century, appearing in a manuscript from the Monastery of Alcobaça, a renowned Cistercian abbey located in central Portugal.

During the 15th century, the Saraiva name gained prominence with the birth of Damião de Góis (1502-1574), a renowned Portuguese humanist, philosopher, and historian. Góis, whose full name was Damião de Góis Saraiva, was a prominent figure during the Portuguese Renaissance and is celebrated for his contributions to literature and his advocacy for religious tolerance.

Another notable bearer of the Saraiva surname was José da Cunha Saraiva (1738-1829), a Portuguese military officer and colonial administrator. Saraiva served as the Governor of Portuguese Timor from 1793 to 1796 and played a significant role in the administration of Portuguese colonial territories in Southeast Asia.

In the 19th century, José Saraiva (1823-1895) was a prominent Portuguese lawyer and politician. He served as a member of the Portuguese Parliament and was known for his legal expertise and advocacy for social reforms.

Moving into the 20th century, António José Saraiva (1917-1993) was a renowned Portuguese scholar, writer, and literary critic. He made significant contributions to the study of Portuguese literature and culture, authoring numerous books and articles on the subject.

Throughout its history, the Saraiva surname has been associated with various place names in Portugal, such as Saraiva de Carvalho, Saraiva de Cima, and Saraiva de Baixo, which are small villages or localities scattered across different regions of the country. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname over time.

While not as widespread as some other Portuguese surnames, Saraiva has left its mark on the country's history, with notable figures contributing to fields ranging from literature and philosophy to military service and politics. The surname's roots can be traced back to medieval times, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Portugal.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Saraiva surname: questions and answers

How common is the Saraiva surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Saraiva a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Saraiva surname mean?

A surname of Portuguese origin referring to a willow grove or willow tree area.

What does the Saraiva map show?

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