NameCensus.

UK surname

Sura

A Turkish surname derived from the term "sur" meaning "wall" or "fortification".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redbridge, Hounslow and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sura is 203 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

177

2016, ranked #21,230

Peak year

2010

203 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016, ranked #21,230.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Sura surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sura surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sura 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
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 112 #25,856
1999 modern 121 #24,855
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 127 #23,781
2002 modern 138 #23,094
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 131 #23,756
2005 modern 139 #22,887
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 161 #21,201
2008 modern 167 #20,901
2009 modern 173 #20,869
2010 modern 203 #19,264
2011 modern 181 #20,579
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 190 #20,201
2014 modern 186 #20,664
2015 modern 180 #20,997
2016 modern 177 #21,230

Geography

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Where Suras 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 Redbridge, Hounslow, Newham, Solihull and Greenwich. 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 Redbridge 030 Redbridge
2 Hounslow 021 Hounslow
3 Newham 017 Newham
4 Solihull 022 Solihull
5 Greenwich 016 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sura

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

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Sura surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Sura household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Sura is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Sura 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sura

The surname Sura is believed to have originated in India, where it has its roots in the Sanskrit language. The name is thought to be derived from the word 'sura', which means 'god', 'deity', or 'hero'. This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals who were considered distinguished or heroic in their communities.

In ancient Indian texts, such as the Vedas and the Puranas, there are references to deities, sages, and other notable figures bearing the name 'Sura' or variations of it. One such example is the Vedic deity Surya, the sun god, whose name is closely related to 'Sura'.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Sura can be traced back to medieval India, where it appears in various historical records and inscriptions. For instance, in the 12th century, there is mention of a Sura family hailing from the region of present-day Maharashtra, who held influential positions in the court of the Yadava dynasty.

Throughout history, the surname Sura has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest was Sura Misra, a renowned scholar and philosopher who lived in the 8th century CE and made significant contributions to the field of Hindu jurisprudence.

Another prominent figure was Sura Sundara Pandian, a 14th-century Tamil king and patron of the arts, who ruled over the Pandyan kingdom in southern India. His reign was marked by a cultural renaissance and the construction of several temples and architectural marvels.

In the 16th century, Sura Das was a famous saint and poet from the Vaishnava tradition, whose devotional compositions are still widely revered and recited today. His birth name was Sura Dasa, reflecting the surname's continued use during that period.

Moving to more recent times, Sura P. Rao was an influential Indian diplomat and statesman who served as the country's ambassador to various nations, including the United States, in the mid-20th century.

Lastly, Dr. Sura Alladaye is a contemporary figure, a renowned medical researcher and scientist who has made significant contributions to the field of cancer treatment and drug development.

While the surname Sura has its roots in India, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language and the rich cultural tapestry of the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Sura surname: questions and answers

How common is the Sura surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 177 in 2016. That gives Sura a modern rank of #21,230.

What does the Sura surname mean?

A Turkish surname derived from the term "sur" meaning "wall" or "fortification".

What does the Sura map show?

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