NameCensus.

UK surname

Varela

A Galician and Portuguese habitational surname referring to someone from any of various places named Varela, meaning "small rod".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Varela surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 354, ranked #13,054, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Islington, Brent and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Varela is 354 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35300.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

354

2016, ranked #13,054

Peak year

2016

354 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Varela had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 354 in 2016, ranked #13,054.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 16 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Varela surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Varela surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Varela 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 8 #33,289
1911 historical 16 #31,804
1997 modern 167 #19,722
1998 modern 171 #19,956
1999 modern 194 #18,579
2000 modern 207 #17,833
2001 modern 202 #17,834
2002 modern 224 #17,042
2003 modern 214 #17,343
2004 modern 228 #16,723
2005 modern 237 #16,244
2006 modern 246 #15,907
2007 modern 263 #15,366
2008 modern 282 #14,748
2009 modern 291 #14,742
2010 modern 313 #14,289
2011 modern 314 #14,165
2012 modern 318 #13,926
2013 modern 328 #13,842
2014 modern 342 #13,498
2015 modern 351 #13,135
2016 modern 354 #13,054

Geography

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Where Varelas 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 Islington, Brent, Kensington and Chelsea and Suffolk Coastal. 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 Islington 015 Islington
2 Brent 031 Brent
3 Kensington and Chelsea 001 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Suffolk Coastal 004 Suffolk Coastal
5 Brent 033 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Varela

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Varela surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Varela 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Varela 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

Varela 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

Varela falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Varela is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Varela

The surname Varela originated in Spain, specifically in the region of Galicia, during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Galician word "varela," which means "small valley" or "little vale." This topographic surname was likely given to someone who lived in or near a small valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Varela surname can be found in the Tombo de Celanova, a medieval cartulary from the 10th century, where the name appears as "Varela." This suggests that the surname has its roots in the northwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Galician language was spoken.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Pedro Varela was mentioned in the Cantigas de Santa Maria, a collection of Galician-Portuguese poems and songs written during the reign of King Alfonso X of Castile and León. This literary reference provides evidence of the surname's existence and use during that time period.

During the 15th century, a prominent figure named Rodrigo Varela served as a captain in the Spanish army under King Ferdinand II of Aragon. He played a significant role in the conquest of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula.

In the 16th century, another notable individual with the Varela surname was Juan de Varela, a Spanish explorer and navigator who participated in expeditions to the New World. He accompanied Hernán Cortés on his conquest of Mexico and later served as a governor in Panama.

In the 18th century, José Varela y Ulloa, a Spanish naval officer and scientist, gained recognition for his contributions to the field of geography. He participated in scientific expeditions and authored several works, including a treatise on the geography of the Spanish territories in South America.

Over the centuries, the Varela surname has spread across various parts of the world, particularly to Latin American countries such as Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay, due to Spanish colonization and migration. However, it remains most prevalent in Spain, particularly in the regions of Galicia and Asturias.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Varela families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Varela 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. Lancashire leads with 1 Varelas recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.74x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1 8.74x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bootle Cum Linacre in Lancashire leads with 1 Varelas recorded in 1881 and an index of 1111.11x.

Place Total Index
Bootle Cum Linacre 1 1111.11x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Francisco 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 Varela households.

Occupation Count
AB Sailor 1

FAQ

Varela surname: questions and answers

How common was the Varela surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Varela surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 354 in 2016. That gives Varela a modern rank of #13,054.

What does the Varela surname mean?

A Galician and Portuguese habitational surname referring to someone from any of various places named Varela, meaning "small rod".

What does the Varela map show?

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