NameCensus.

UK surname

Silveira

A Portuguese topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a thicket or grove of wild trees.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swindon, Brent and Wokingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Silveira is 218 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

218

2016, ranked #18,481

Peak year

2016

218 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016, ranked #18,481.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Silveira surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Silveira surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Silveira 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
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 47 #32,975
1998 modern 46 #33,286
1999 modern 47 #33,320
2000 modern 55 #32,609
2001 modern 57 #32,275
2002 modern 62 #32,214
2003 modern 64 #32,056
2004 modern 69 #31,784
2005 modern 74 #31,522
2006 modern 89 #30,027
2007 modern 94 #29,650
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 122 #26,220
2010 modern 148 #23,697
2011 modern 142 #24,182
2012 modern 179 #20,679
2013 modern 188 #20,352
2014 modern 192 #20,230
2015 modern 191 #20,205
2016 modern 218 #18,481

Geography

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Where Silveiras 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 Swindon, Brent, Wokingham, Lewisham and Merton. 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 Swindon 015 Swindon
2 Brent 020 Brent
3 Wokingham 012 Wokingham
4 Lewisham 033 Lewisham
5 Merton 023 Merton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Silveira

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

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

Silveira 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

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

Meaning and origin of Silveira

The surname Silveira originates from Portugal, dating back to the medieval era. It is derived from the Portuguese word "silveira," which means a wild plum tree or bramble bush. This suggests that the name initially referred to someone who lived near or owned land with an abundance of these plants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Silveira surname can be found in the 13th century Portuguese manuscript "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), which documented noble families and their coats of arms. This indicates that the name was already established among the Portuguese nobility during this period.

In the 15th century, during the Age of Discovery, several individuals bearing the Silveira surname played significant roles in Portugal's maritime explorations. Notably, João de Silveira, born around 1450, was a prominent Portuguese navigator and explorer who led expeditions along the West African coast.

Another notable figure from this era was Álvaro de Silveira, born in the late 15th century, who served as a Portuguese ambassador to the Kingdom of Kongo (present-day Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in the early 16th century. His diplomatic efforts facilitated cultural and trade exchanges between the two nations.

In the 16th century, the Silveira surname gained prominence in Brazil, as Portuguese colonists and explorers bearing the name settled in various regions of the country. One notable figure was Fernão Rodrigues Silveira, born around 1520, who was a prominent landowner and sugar plantation owner in the northeastern region of Brazil.

The 17th century saw the rise of Manuel da Silveira e Sousa, born in 1639, who was a renowned Portuguese historian and author. His works, such as the "Memorias Ressuscitadas da Provincia de Entre Douro e Minho" (Revived Memories of the Province of Entre Douro e Minho), provided valuable insights into the history and culture of northern Portugal during that time.

As the Silveira surname spread throughout Portugal and its colonies, it became associated with various place names and localities. For example, the town of Silveira in the district of Portalegre, Portugal, and the municipality of Silveiras in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, both derive their names from the Silveira surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Silveira surname: questions and answers

How common is the Silveira surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016. That gives Silveira a modern rank of #18,481.

What does the Silveira surname mean?

A Portuguese topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a thicket or grove of wild trees.

What does the Silveira map show?

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