NameCensus.

UK surname

Spina

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who made or sold thorns, pins, or nails.

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Spina surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 109, ranked #29,402, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Cambridge and Northampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Spina is 109 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2080.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

2016

109 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Spina had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Spina surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Spina surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Spina 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 5 #33,110
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 77 #29,874
1998 modern 80 #29,966
1999 modern 79 #30,243
2000 modern 81 #30,036
2001 modern 82 #29,714
2002 modern 80 #30,387
2003 modern 93 #28,829
2004 modern 87 #29,897
2005 modern 90 #29,527
2006 modern 86 #30,425
2007 modern 90 #30,228
2008 modern 99 #29,181
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 102 #29,930
2011 modern 96 #30,721
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 98 #31,078
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Spinas 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 Camden, Cambridge, Northampton and Wirral. 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 Camden 015 Camden
2 Cambridge 006 Cambridge
3 Northampton 027 Northampton
4 Wirral 003 Wirral
5 Northampton 006 Northampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Spina

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Spina

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Spina is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Spina 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

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

Meaning and origin of Spina

The surname SPINA has its origins in Italy, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Italian word "spina," which means "thorn" or "spine." This suggests that the name may have originally been a descriptive nickname or an occupational name for someone who worked with thorns or spines, perhaps in activities like basket weaving or wool carding.

The earliest recorded instances of the SPINA surname can be traced back to the 13th century in various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. One notable early bearer of this name was Pietro Spina, a renowned jurist and professor of canon law who lived in the 13th century and served as a papal counselor.

In the 14th century, the SPINA surname appeared in historical records such as the Codice Diplomatico della Repubblica di Genova, which documented the affairs of the Republic of Genoa. During this time, the SPINA family was prominent in the city of Pisa, with members holding influential positions in the local government and ecclesiastical institutions.

The name SPINA also has a connection to the town of Spinaceto, located in the province of Rome. This place name, which translates to "thorny place," may have contributed to the surname's origins or been influenced by it.

One notable bearer of the SPINA surname was Bartolomeo Spina, an Italian jurist and diplomat who lived from 1475 to 1546. He served as a papal nuncio and played a crucial role in the negotiations leading to the Peace of Crépy between Francis I of France and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.

Another prominent figure was Alessandro Spina, an Italian playwright and poet who lived from 1599 to 1668. He is best known for his tragedies and comedies, which were performed in various theaters across Italy during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, Giuseppe Spina, an Italian architect and engineer, made significant contributions to the urban development of Naples. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and the Palazzo Spinelli di Laurino.

During the 19th century, Gaetano Spina, an Italian mathematician and astronomer, gained recognition for his work in celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits. He was born in 1826 and served as the director of the Astronomical Observatory of Palermo.

The SPINA surname has also been associated with various locations in Italy, such as the town of Spinazzola in the province of Bari, and the village of Spina in the province of Perugia. These place names may have influenced the surname or been influenced by it over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Spina families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Spina 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. Yorkshire leads with 5 Spinas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.40x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 5 10.40x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 5 Spinas recorded in 1881 and an index of 326.80x.

Place Total Index
Sheffield 5 326.80x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Antonia 1
Congurts 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Domenic 1
Vittora 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 Spina households.

Occupation Count
Musician 5

FAQ

Spina surname: questions and answers

How common was the Spina surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Spina surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Spina surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Spina a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Spina surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who made or sold thorns, pins, or nails.

What does the Spina map show?

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