NameCensus.

UK surname

Thota

A surname possibly derived from the South Indian village name Thota.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stoke-on-Trent and Hounslow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Thota is 122 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

2011

122 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Thota surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Thota surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Thota 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 1 #34,435
1997 modern 2 #38,557
1998 modern 5 #37,861
1999 modern 5 #37,872
2000 modern 6 #37,624
2001 modern 6 #37,456
2002 modern 15 #36,381
2003 modern 22 #35,740
2004 modern 27 #35,444
2005 modern 37 #34,815
2006 modern 48 #34,245
2007 modern 48 #34,488
2008 modern 61 #33,655
2009 modern 96 #30,239
2010 modern 112 #28,336
2011 modern 122 #26,647
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 112 #28,675
2014 modern 103 #30,539
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

Back to top

Where Thotas 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 Stoke-on-Trent and Hounslow. 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 Stoke-on-Trent 016 Stoke-on-Trent
2 Hounslow 015 Hounslow
3 Hounslow 016 Hounslow
4 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
5 Hounslow 024 Hounslow

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Thota

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Thota

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

Thota 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

Thota falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Thota 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 Thota, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Thota

The surname Thota has its origins in India and can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "totra," which means "river bank" or "shore." This suggests that the name may have originated among communities that lived near rivers or coastal regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Thota can be found in the Puranas, a collection of ancient Hindu texts that date back to the 3rd century BCE. These texts mention the name in reference to various individuals and places, indicating that the name was already in use during that time period.

In the medieval period, the name Thota appeared in several historical records and manuscripts, such as the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century work commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This work contains detailed accounts of the administrative and revenue systems of the Mughal Empire, and it includes references to individuals with the surname Thota who held positions of authority or owned land.

One notable figure with the surname Thota was Thota Tharaka, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in the 12th century CE. He was known for his contributions to Telugu literature and his works, which included poems, plays, and treatises on various subjects.

Another prominent individual was Thota Viswanatha, a 17th-century mathematician and astronomer from the South Indian region of Andhra Pradesh. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and authored several texts on the subject.

In the 18th century, the Thota family played a significant role in the governance of the Madurai region in present-day Tamil Nadu. Thota Chinnaiya Nayakkar, who ruled from 1711 to 1735, was a notable figure during this period and is remembered for his patronage of the arts and architecture.

The name Thota has also been associated with various place names in India, particularly in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. For example, Thota Vemulawada is a town in Telangana, and Thota Narasapur is a village in Andhra Pradesh. These place names may have derived from individuals or families with the surname Thota who settled or held influence in those areas.

Throughout history, the surname Thota has been spelled in various ways, including Tota, Thotaa, and Thotta, reflecting the regional variations and linguistic influences in different parts of India. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remain rooted in the Sanskrit word "totra," signifying its connection to riverbanks and coastal regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Thota surname: questions and answers

How common is the Thota surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Thota a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Thota surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from the South Indian village name Thota.

What does the Thota map show?

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