NameCensus.

UK surname

Teles

A Portuguese surname derived from the root word "tela" meaning loom, fabric or canvas.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Teles surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 139, ranked #25,001, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Arun, Gloucester and Northumberland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Teles is 139 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 13800.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

2016

139 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Teles had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Teles surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Teles surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Teles 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1997 modern 35 #34,174
1998 modern 42 #33,651
1999 modern 49 #33,130
2000 modern 49 #33,187
2001 modern 47 #33,219
2002 modern 58 #32,564
2003 modern 51 #33,266
2004 modern 53 #33,336
2005 modern 56 #33,264
2006 modern 74 #31,850
2007 modern 74 #32,190
2008 modern 79 #31,957
2009 modern 78 #32,471
2010 modern 87 #31,990
2011 modern 84 #32,237
2012 modern 99 #30,442
2013 modern 111 #28,856
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 127 #26,494
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Teles' 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 Arun, Gloucester, Northumberland, Brent and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 Arun 011 Arun
2 Gloucester 002 Gloucester
3 Northumberland 006 Northumberland
4 Brent 031 Brent
5 Kensington and Chelsea 001 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Teles

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Teles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Teles 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Teles is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Teles 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

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

Meaning and origin of Teles

The surname TELES originated in Portugal during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word "teles," which means "soldier" or "warrior." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely soldiers or individuals involved in military service.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the TELES surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in historical documents from the northern region of Portugal. During this time, many surnames emerged from occupations or personal characteristics, reflecting the lifestyle and societal roles of individuals.

It is possible that the name TELES was initially adopted by individuals who distinguished themselves in battles or military campaigns. Alternatively, it may have been a descriptive surname given to someone who exhibited traits associated with a soldier, such as bravery, strength, or skill in combat.

In the 13th century, the TELES surname was documented in the Inquirições, a series of inquiries conducted by King Afonso III of Portugal to gather information about land ownership and feudal rights. This record provides valuable insights into the geographic distribution of the name during that era.

One notable individual bearing the TELES surname was João Teles, a Portuguese nobleman who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. He served as the Master of the Order of Aviz and played a significant role in the political and military affairs of his time.

Another prominent figure was Martim Teles de Meneses, a 15th-century Portuguese nobleman and military commander. He was involved in the capture of Ceuta from the Moors in 1415, a pivotal event in Portuguese history.

In the 16th century, the TELES surname gained further recognition with Jorge Teles Cabral, a Portuguese explorer and navigator who participated in several expeditions to Brazil and the East Indies.

Moving forward to the 17th century, António Teles da Silva was a distinguished Portuguese diplomat and statesman who served as the ambassador to England and France during the reign of King João IV.

The TELES surname has also been associated with various place names in Portugal, such as Teles de Rio Frio, a parish in the municipality of Bragança, and Teles de Guimarães, a civil parish in the municipality of Vila Real.

Throughout its history, the TELES surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including nobility, military personnel, explorers, diplomats, and statesmen. While the name's origins can be traced back to medieval Portugal, its bearers have left their mark on various aspects of Portuguese history and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Teles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Teles 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Teles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover in Middlesex leads with 1 Teles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 769.23x.

Place Total Index
St George Hanover 1 769.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 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 Teles households.

Occupation Count
General Servant 1

FAQ

Teles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Teles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Teles surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Teles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Teles a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Teles surname mean?

A Portuguese surname derived from the root word "tela" meaning loom, fabric or canvas.

What does the Teles map show?

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