NameCensus.

UK surname

Serra

A topographic surname of Italian and Catalan origin, referring to someone who lived near a hill or mountain ridge.

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Serra surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 336, ranked #13,583, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Westminster and Rother.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Serra is 336 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4100.0%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

336

2016, ranked #13,583

Peak year

2016

336 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Serra had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 336 in 2016, ranked #13,583.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Serra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Serra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Serra 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
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 12 #32,772
1911 historical 16 #31,804
1997 modern 154 #20,780
1998 modern 173 #19,821
1999 modern 182 #19,317
2000 modern 188 #18,916
2001 modern 183 #18,980
2002 modern 202 #18,189
2003 modern 196 #18,358
2004 modern 200 #18,213
2005 modern 208 #17,687
2006 modern 234 #16,493
2007 modern 249 #15,943
2008 modern 251 #16,026
2009 modern 287 #14,877
2010 modern 300 #14,730
2011 modern 293 #14,834
2012 modern 304 #14,388
2013 modern 305 #14,577
2014 modern 322 #14,113
2015 modern 327 #13,871
2016 modern 336 #13,583

Geography

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Where Serras 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 Leicester, Westminster, Rother, Great Yarmouth and Waverley. 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 Leicester 002 Leicester
2 Westminster 009 Westminster
3 Rother 007 Rother
4 Great Yarmouth 006 Great Yarmouth
5 Waverley 007 Waverley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Serra

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Serra

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

Serra 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

Serra 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 Serra 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Serra

The surname SERRA has its origins in Catalonia, Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Catalan word "serra," meaning "mountain range" or "saw." This suggests that the name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near a mountain range or worked with saws.

In the 13th century, the name SERRA appeared in historical records of Catalonia, such as the "Llibre dels Fets" (Book of Deeds) written by King James I of Aragon. This manuscript mentioned individuals with the surname SERRA, indicating their presence in the region during that time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SERRA can be found in the 14th century, with Bernat SERRA, a renowned Catalan painter who lived from approximately 1330 to 1385. His works adorned churches and monasteries in Barcelona and other parts of Catalonia.

The SERRA surname also has a connection to the Italian region of Liguria, where it is believed to have originated from the Ligurian word "sèrra," meaning "ridge" or "mountain crest." This suggests that the name may have been adopted by Catalan families who migrated from Liguria or had ties to the region.

In the 16th century, the explorer and missionary Junípero SERRA (1713-1784) gained prominence. Born in Mallorca, Spain, he established missions along the coast of California, including the Mission San Diego de Alcalá and the Mission San Francisco de Asís (commonly known as Mission Dolores). His work played a significant role in the Spanish colonization of California.

Another notable figure with the SERRA surname was Francesc SERRA I Mestres (1871-1960), a Catalan architect and urban planner. He designed numerous buildings in Barcelona, including the famous Palau de la Música Catalana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Other historical figures bearing the SERRA surname include Miguel SERRA (1713-1805), a Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary who established missions in California; Jaume SERRA Hunter (1716-1784), a Catalan painter known for his religious works; and Antoni SERRA Parnés (1856-1930), a prominent Catalan banker and philanthropist.

Overall, the surname SERRA has deep roots in Catalan and Ligurian culture, with its origins dating back to medieval times. It has been associated with various professions, from artists and architects to explorers and missionaries, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who bore this name throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Serra families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Serra 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. Middlesex leads with 7 Serras recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.97x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 7 8.97x
Lancashire 1 1.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paddington London in Middlesex leads with 3 Serras recorded in 1881 and an index of 104.53x.

Place Total Index
Paddington London 3 104.53x
St Marylebone London 3 72.12x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 142.86x
Poplar London 1 68.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Camilla 1
Iguez 1
Leonora 1
Nancy 1
Triese 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Claudius 1
Francois 1
Jose 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 Serra households.

FAQ

Serra surname: questions and answers

How common was the Serra surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Serra surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Serra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 336 in 2016. That gives Serra a modern rank of #13,583.

What does the Serra surname mean?

A topographic surname of Italian and Catalan origin, referring to someone who lived near a hill or mountain ridge.

What does the Serra map show?

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