NameCensus.

UK surname

Schembri

A surname of Maltese origin, possibly derived from the Arabic word "shambari" meaning "carp fisherman".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swale, The Vale of Glamorgan and Epping Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Schembri is 407 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

407

2016, ranked #11,735

Peak year

2016

407 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016, ranked #11,735.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Schembri surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Schembri surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Schembri 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
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 264 #14,734
1998 modern 300 #13,877
1999 modern 314 #13,556
2000 modern 311 #13,588
2001 modern 313 #13,361
2002 modern 333 #13,062
2003 modern 333 #12,875
2004 modern 329 #13,027
2005 modern 342 #12,579
2006 modern 353 #12,363
2007 modern 366 #12,176
2008 modern 359 #12,459
2009 modern 363 #12,602
2010 modern 394 #12,131
2011 modern 362 #12,773
2012 modern 368 #12,468
2013 modern 381 #12,360
2014 modern 389 #12,258
2015 modern 400 #11,909
2016 modern 407 #11,735

Geography

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Where Schembris 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 Swale, The Vale of Glamorgan, Epping Forest and Chiltern. 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 Swale 001 Swale
2 The Vale of Glamorgan 007 Vale of Glamorgan
3 Epping Forest 002 Epping Forest
4 Chiltern 002 Chiltern
5 Swale 003 Swale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Schembri

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

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Schembri surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Schembri household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Schembri 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

Schembri 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

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

Meaning and origin of Schembri

The surname Schembri is of Maltese origin, derived from the Arabic word "shamir," which means "a candle bearer" or "a person who lights the way." It is believed to have emerged during the period of Arab rule in Malta, which lasted from the 9th to the 11th centuries.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, when it appeared in various medieval documents and records from the Maltese archipelago. The name was often spelled in different ways, such as "Xembri," "Ximbri," or "Shembri," reflecting the influence of Arabic, Italian, and other languages on the Maltese language.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Schembri was Matteo Schembri, a prominent Maltese merchant who lived in the late 15th century. He was involved in the lucrative trade between Malta and other Mediterranean ports, and his name appears in several historical documents from that period.

In the 16th century, the name Schembri gained prominence with the birth of Vincenzo Schembri (1525-1592), a Maltese scholar and linguist who made significant contributions to the study of the Maltese language. He is credited with publishing the first known book written in Maltese, titled "Il-Ktieb il-Qadim tal-Lingwa Maltija" (The Ancient Book of the Maltese Language).

During the 17th century, the Schembri family produced several notable figures, including Girolamo Schembri (1610-1678), a Maltese nobleman and diplomat who served as the ambassador of the Order of St. John to various European courts. Another prominent individual was Paolo Schembri (1645-1715), a Maltese architect and military engineer who designed several fortifications and architectural works in Malta.

In the 18th century, the name Schembri gained further recognition with the birth of Gian Francesco Schembri (1720-1795), a Maltese painter and sculptor who is considered one of the most influential artists of the Maltese Baroque period. His works can be found in various churches and museums throughout Malta and Europe.

The 19th century saw the rise of another prominent Schembri, Fortunato Schembri (1836-1904), a Maltese politician and journalist who played a significant role in the political and social reforms of Malta during the British colonial period. He was a vocal advocate for Maltese rights and the preservation of the Maltese language and culture.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have carried the surname Schembri throughout history. The name continues to be widely prevalent in Malta and among Maltese diaspora communities around the world, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Schembri families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Schembri 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. Royal Navy leads with 3 Schembris recorded in 1881 and an index of 857.14x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 3 857.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Royal Navy in Royal Navy leads with 3 Schembris recorded in 1881 and an index of 1000.00x.

Place Total Index
Royal Navy 3 1000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Carlo 1
Carmels 1
Michael 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 Schembri households.

Occupation Count
Ab 1
Gun R Servt 1
W R Stewd 1

FAQ

Schembri surname: questions and answers

How common is the Schembri surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 407 in 2016. That gives Schembri a modern rank of #11,735.

What does the Schembri surname mean?

A surname of Maltese origin, possibly derived from the Arabic word "shambari" meaning "carp fisherman".

What does the Schembri map show?

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