NameCensus.

UK surname

Siva

A Western Asian surname derived from the Sanskrit word referring to the Hindu god Shiva.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Siva is 198 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

198

2016, ranked #19,713

Peak year

2016

198 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016, ranked #19,713.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Siva surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Siva surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Siva 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 3 #34,257
1997 modern 59 #31,734
1998 modern 71 #30,869
1999 modern 76 #30,546
2000 modern 72 #30,977
2001 modern 74 #30,600
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 100 #27,722
2004 modern 109 #26,607
2005 modern 105 #27,203
2006 modern 110 #26,717
2007 modern 120 #25,606
2008 modern 143 #23,160
2009 modern 168 #21,290
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 151 #23,204
2012 modern 160 #22,260
2013 modern 151 #23,529
2014 modern 168 #22,075
2015 modern 178 #21,149
2016 modern 198 #19,713

Geography

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Where Sivas 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 Harrow, Swale, Brent and Croydon. 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 Harrow 030 Harrow
2 Swale 012 Swale
3 Brent 020 Brent
4 Croydon 019 Croydon
5 Croydon 020 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Siva

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

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

Siva 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

Siva 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 Siva 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Siva

The surname SIVA is of Indian origin, with its roots dating back to ancient times. It is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word "Shiva," which means "auspicious" or "the one who provides well-being." The name is closely associated with the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism.

SIVA is a common surname found predominantly in South India, particularly in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The name has been in existence for centuries, and its earliest recorded instances can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and inscriptions from the 4th century CE.

One of the earliest known references to the surname SIVA can be found in the Sangam literature, a collection of Tamil literary works dating back to the early centuries CE. The name appears in various forms, such as Sivanar, Sivayar, and Sivacharyar, indicating its long-standing presence in the region.

In the 7th century CE, the name SIVA gained prominence with the rise of the Pallava dynasty, a prominent ruling family in South India. Several rulers and influential figures from this dynasty bore the name, including the renowned king Narasimhavarman I (630-668 CE), who was also known as Shiva-Narayanaswami.

Another notable figure associated with the surname SIVA is the 12th-century Hindu philosopher and scholar Adi Shankara (788-820 CE), also known as Shankara Bhagavatpada. He was a prominent proponent of the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy and is credited with reviving Hinduism during a period of decline.

During the medieval period, the name SIVA was also found among the Vijayanagar Empire rulers, such as Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529 CE), who was a celebrated king and patron of arts and literature. The Vijayanagar Empire was a major Hindu empire that ruled a significant portion of South India from the 14th to the 16th century.

In more recent times, the name SIVA has been carried by several prominent figures, including the renowned Indian dancer and choreographer Siva Venkatesan (1907-1984), who played a crucial role in popularizing and preserving classical Indian dance forms like Bharatanatyam.

It is important to note that the surname SIVA has several variations and alternative spellings, such as Shiva, Sivaraj, Sivakumar, and Sivagnanam, among others. These variations often reflect regional and linguistic differences within India, but they all share a common origin and meaning rooted in the Sanskrit word "Shiva."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Siva surname: questions and answers

How common is the Siva surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 198 in 2016. That gives Siva a modern rank of #19,713.

What does the Siva surname mean?

A Western Asian surname derived from the Sanskrit word referring to the Hindu god Shiva.

What does the Siva map show?

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