NameCensus.

UK surname

Sha

A Chinese surname meaning "sand" or "desert".

In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Sha surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 126, ranked #26,686, up from #30,464 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Enfield and IZ01.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sha is 126 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 472.7%.

1881 census count

22

Ranked #30,464

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2016

126 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sha had 22 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,464 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 23 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Sha surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sha surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sha 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 23 #29,205
1881 historical 22 #30,464
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1997 modern 22 #35,584
1998 modern 30 #34,833
1999 modern 30 #34,939
2000 modern 25 #35,382
2001 modern 27 #35,041
2002 modern 26 #35,338
2003 modern 24 #35,552
2004 modern 26 #35,519
2005 modern 26 #35,674
2006 modern 34 #35,255
2007 modern 37 #35,215
2008 modern 39 #35,191
2009 modern 49 #34,728
2010 modern 56 #34,480
2011 modern 63 #33,982
2012 modern 92 #31,528
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Shas 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 Doncaster, Enfield, IZ01 and Barnet. 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 Doncaster 022 Doncaster
2 Enfield 036 Enfield
3 Doncaster 018 Doncaster
4 IZ01 East Lothian
5 Barnet 030 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sha

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Sha, 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 Sha surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Sha 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Sha 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

Sha 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

Sha 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 Sha 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Sha

The surname "Sha" is believed to have originated in China, with its earliest known roots dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). It is thought to be derived from the Chinese word "sha," which means "sand" or "gravel." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who lived in sandy or gravelly areas, or perhaps those who worked with these materials.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname "Sha" can be found in the Song Dynasty text "The Book of Surnames," which was compiled during the reign of Emperor Huizong (1100-1125 AD). This text served as a comprehensive record of Chinese surnames and their origins.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), there are records of a prominent scholar named Sha Dongxun (1594-1676), who hailed from Jiangsu Province. He was renowned for his expertise in the Confucian classics and held several prestigious positions in the imperial government.

Another notable figure bearing the surname "Sha" was Sha Menghai (1900-1992), a celebrated artist and calligrapher from Guangdong Province. His works are highly regarded and can be found in numerous museums and private collections around the world.

In the literary realm, the name "Sha" is associated with the renowned writer and poet Sha Tingyu (1918-1996), whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. His poetry collections, such as "The Sound of Wind and Rain," are considered classics of modern Chinese literature.

The surname "Sha" also has ties to ancient place names, such as the town of Shaxian, located in Fujian Province. This town was historically known for its pottery and ceramic production, and it is possible that the surname may have been derived from this place name.

It is worth noting that while the surname "Sha" has a rich history in China, it has also been adopted by people of other ethnicities and nationalities over time, particularly in regions with significant Chinese populations or cultural influences.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sha families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sha 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. Lanarkshire leads with 5 Shas recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.23x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 5 13.23x
Middlesex 3 2.57x
Lancashire 2 1.44x
Surrey 2 3.51x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 5 Shas recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.48x.

Place Total Index
Govan 5 53.48x
Chelsea London 3 85.23x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 85.11x
Windle 2 256.41x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Cathrine 1
Johanna 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 1
John 1
Michael 1
Patrick 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 Sha households.

Occupation Count
Labourer 3
Laborer 1

FAQ

Sha surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sha surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Sha surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sha surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Sha a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Sha surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "sand" or "desert".

What does the Sha map show?

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