NameCensus.

UK surname

Spain

A locational surname denoting someone from the country of Spain or a place sharing its name.

In the 1881 census there were 754 people recorded with the Spain surname, ranking it #4,895 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,060, ranked #5,510, down from #4,895 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Monkwearmouth and Dover St James, Dover St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northumberland, Maidstone and Thanet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Spain is 1,164 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.6%.

1881 census count

754

Ranked #4,895

Modern count

1,060

2016, ranked #5,510

Peak year

1998

1,164 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Spain had 754 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,895 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,060 in 2016, ranked #5,510.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,077 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Spain surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Spain surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Spain 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 502 #4,979
1861 historical 576 #4,576
1881 historical 754 #4,895
1891 historical 794 #5,067
1901 historical 918 #5,069
1911 historical 1,077 #4,307
1997 modern 1,116 #5,005
1998 modern 1,164 #5,010
1999 modern 1,146 #5,126
2000 modern 1,127 #5,166
2001 modern 1,110 #5,129
2002 modern 1,144 #5,111
2003 modern 1,096 #5,197
2004 modern 1,086 #5,246
2005 modern 1,050 #5,335
2006 modern 1,032 #5,420
2007 modern 1,039 #5,442
2008 modern 1,042 #5,459
2009 modern 1,070 #5,447
2010 modern 1,102 #5,427
2011 modern 1,105 #5,352
2012 modern 1,097 #5,303
2013 modern 1,094 #5,402
2014 modern 1,097 #5,407
2015 modern 1,062 #5,527
2016 modern 1,060 #5,510

Geography

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Where Spains are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Monkwearmouth, Dover St James, Dover St Mary, Margate and St Lawrence in Thanet. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Northumberland, Maidstone, Thanet and Dover. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Monkwearmouth Durham
3 Dover St James, Dover St Mary Kent
4 Margate Kent
5 St Lawrence in Thanet Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Northumberland 001 Northumberland
2 Maidstone 013 Maidstone
3 Thanet 011 Thanet
4 Thanet 006 Thanet
5 Dover 002 Dover

Forenames

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First names often paired with Spain

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Spain

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Spain surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Spain 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Spain is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Spain 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

Spain falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Spain is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Spain

The surname Spain is derived from the name of the country Spain, which in turn comes from the Latin word "Hispania". This name is believed to have originated from the Phoenician word "I-shpan-im" meaning "land of rabbits".

The name first appeared in England in the 12th century, referring to someone who had come from Spain or who had connections with that country. It is possible that the name was brought to England by Normans who had ties to Spain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1199, where a Nicholas de Ispania is mentioned. The "de" prefix in this entry suggests that the name was originally a locational surname, denoting someone from Spain.

In the 13th century, the surname is found in various forms such as Despayne, Despaigne, and Despayne. These spellings reflect the linguistic evolution of the name as it adapted to the English language.

A notable bearer of the name was Sir Ralph de Spayne, a knight who fought in the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. He was granted lands in Scotland by King Edward I for his service.

Another early bearer of the name was John de Spayne, who was appointed as the first Keeper of the Wardrobe for King Edward III in 1327.

In the 15th century, the surname appears in the form of Spayn, as seen in the records of John Spayn, a merchant from Bristol who traded with Spain in 1472.

One of the most famous bearers of the name was Edmund Spenser, the renowned English poet who lived from 1552 to 1599. Although the spelling of his surname differs slightly from Spain, it is believed to have originated from the same root.

Another notable figure was John Spain, a Catholic priest and martyr who was executed in 1592 for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The surname Spain has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Spayne Hall in Lincolnshire and Spayne Court in Devon, reflecting the migration and settlement patterns of those bearing the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Spain families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Spain 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. Kent leads with 433 Spains recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.19x.

County Total Index
Kent 433 17.19x
Surrey 64 1.78x
Durham 56 2.55x
Middlesex 52 0.70x
Lancashire 37 0.42x
Yorkshire 30 0.41x
Cheshire 15 0.92x
Sussex 14 1.12x
Northumberland 13 1.18x
Staffordshire 13 0.52x
Lincolnshire 9 0.76x
Hampshire 8 0.53x
Essex 3 0.21x
Royal Navy 3 3.41x
Berkshire 1 0.18x
Cornwall 1 0.12x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.50x
Hertfordshire 1 0.20x
Midlothian 1 0.10x
Shropshire 1 0.16x
Wiltshire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ramsgate in Kent leads with 37 Spains recorded in 1881 and an index of 89.96x.

Place Total Index
Ramsgate 37 89.96x
St Lawrence 31 178.98x
Maidstone 28 37.31x
Monkwearmouth Shore 26 60.63x
Lambeth 24 3.73x
Margate St John Baptist 24 52.03x
Dover St James 23 208.33x
Eastry 19 544.41x
Ashford 18 73.35x
Deal 16 74.45x
Dover St Mary Virgin 15 61.53x
Southwick 15 72.08x
Charlton 14 83.68x
Nonington 14 696.52x
St Nicholas At Wade 14 952.38x
Deptford St Paul 13 6.69x
Hougham 12 80.11x
Islington London 12 1.68x
Altrincham 10 35.11x
Camberwell 10 2.12x
Milton In Gravesend 10 26.47x
Bradford 9 21.95x
Liverpool 9 1.69x
Sandwich St Mary 9 393.01x
Wickhambreux 9 731.71x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 8 11.74x
Brighton 8 3.19x
Leeds 8 1.94x
Lower Hardres 8 1111.11x
Monks Horton 8 2105.26x
Rochester St Margaret 8 30.11x
St Pancras London 8 1.35x
Walmer 8 73.06x
Wigan 8 6.53x
Bishopwearmouth 7 3.71x
Hackney London 7 1.69x
Sandwich St Peter 7 264.15x
Stoke Upon Trent 7 2.65x
Tynemouth 7 11.90x
Woodchurch 7 222.93x
Ash Next Sandwich 6 107.72x
Finchley 6 21.19x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 6 6.31x
Holy Trinity 6 3.41x
Lichfield St Michael 6 76.73x
Battersea 5 1.84x
Birkenhead 5 3.85x
Canterbury St Mary 5 29.57x
Eastbourne 5 8.73x
Everton 5 1.79x
Hackington St Stephen 5 308.64x
Halifax 5 4.65x
Jesmond 5 32.34x
Southampton St Mary 5 5.25x
Southwark St Saviour 5 13.18x
Boxley 4 103.36x
Hammersmith London 4 2.20x
Lewisham 4 2.98x
Little Chart 4 571.43x
Newington 4 1.47x
St Maryle Wigford 4 43.62x
Tilmanstone 4 434.78x
Bermondsey 3 1.36x
Croydon 3 1.50x
Elham 3 99.67x
Folkestone 3 6.14x
Great Mongeham 3 252.10x
Hampstead London 3 2.61x
Kingston On Thames 3 3.47x
Minster In Thanet 3 57.25x
Oldham 3 1.06x
Plumstead 3 3.57x
Royal Navy 3 3.99x
St Peters 3 25.73x
High Halden 2 124.22x
Kirkdale 2 1.36x
Northowram 2 3.90x
St Marylebone London 2 0.51x
Stourmouth 2 246.91x
Stranton 2 2.70x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 48
John 46
George 32
Thomas 30
Henry 27
Edward 18
James 17
Charles 10
Frederick 10
Albert 9
Arthur 8
Robert 8
Harry 7
Richard 7
Joseph 6
Alfred 5
Ernest 5
Stephen 5
Walter 5
Herbert 4
Edmund 3
Frank 3
Bartholomew 2
Ebenezer 2
Edwin 2
Frederic 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
Horace 2
Jacob 2
Michael 2
Sydney 2
Thos. 2
Tom 2
Alexander 1
Archibald 1
C.M. 1
Caleb 1
Chares 1
Clifford 1
Felix 1
Francis 1
Fread 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Isaac 1
Laurence 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Spain surname: questions and answers

How common was the Spain surname in 1881?

In 1881, 754 people were recorded with the Spain surname. That placed it at #4,895 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Spain surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,060 in 2016. That gives Spain a modern rank of #5,510.

What does the Spain surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone from the country of Spain or a place sharing its name.

What does the Spain map show?

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