NameCensus.

UK surname

Vera

A Spanish and Portuguese surname derived from the Latin word "vērus," meaning "true" or "genuine."

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Vera surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 164, ranked #22,314, up from #32,581 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Dunfermline Touch and Woodmill and Bournemouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vera is 164 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1950.0%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

164

2016, ranked #22,314

Peak year

2016

164 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Vera had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 164 in 2016, ranked #22,314.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 48 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Vera surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vera surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vera 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 8 #32,887
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 48 #28,006
1997 modern 54 #32,210
1998 modern 54 #32,518
1999 modern 63 #31,798
2000 modern 59 #32,217
2001 modern 55 #32,482
2002 modern 60 #32,388
2003 modern 60 #32,446
2004 modern 73 #31,403
2005 modern 82 #30,617
2006 modern 90 #29,893
2007 modern 96 #29,339
2008 modern 93 #30,123
2009 modern 109 #28,145
2010 modern 123 #26,728
2011 modern 125 #26,220
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 153 #23,314
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 154 #23,306
2016 modern 164 #22,314

Geography

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Where Veras 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 Greenwich, Dunfermline Touch and Woodmill, Bournemouth and Lambeth. 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 Greenwich 022 Greenwich
2 Dunfermline Touch and Woodmill Fife
3 Bournemouth 021 Bournemouth
4 Lambeth 004 Lambeth
5 Lambeth 034 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vera

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Vera 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

Vera 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

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

Meaning and origin of Vera

The surname VERA originates from Italy and Spain, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. In Italy, it is believed to have derived from the Latin word "verus," meaning "true" or "genuine." It was initially used as a nickname to describe someone with an honest or truthful character.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the VERA surname can be found in the Codice Diplomatico Longobardo, a collection of historical documents from the Lombard Kingdom in Italy, dating back to the 8th century. The name appeared as "Verus" in these records, indicating its Latin origins.

In Spain, the surname VERA is associated with the town of Vera, located in the province of Almería, Andalusia. The town's name is derived from the Arabic word "wara'a," meaning "high place" or "elevated land." This connection suggests that the surname VERA in Spain may have originated as a locational name, referring to people from the town of Vera.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname VERA was Pedro de Vera, a Spanish conquistador born in the late 15th century. He participated in the conquest of Mexico alongside Hernán Cortés and played a significant role in the subjugation of the Aztec Empire.

Another prominent figure was Diego de Vera y Ordóñez de Villaquirán, a Spanish soldier and explorer born in the early 16th century. He served as the governor of the Spanish West Indies and was instrumental in the exploration and colonization of present-day Florida.

In Italy, one of the earliest recorded individuals with the VERA surname was Cesare Vera, a Renaissance painter and architect born in the late 15th century. He was known for his frescoes and worked on notable projects in Milan and Genoa.

During the 16th century, the VERA surname gained prominence in Spain with the birth of Fernán Pérez de Vera, a Spanish military officer and diplomat. He served as the ambassador to England and played a crucial role in the negotiations leading up to the Treaty of London in 1604.

Another notable figure was Antonio de Vera y Zúñiga, a Spanish nobleman and military leader born in the late 16th century. He served as the Viceroy of New Spain (present-day Mexico) from 1585 to 1589 and played a significant role in the governance of the Spanish colonies in the Americas.

Throughout its history, the surname VERA has been associated with various fields, including exploration, military service, diplomacy, and the arts, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of those who carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Vera families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vera 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. Warwickshire leads with 4 Veras recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.34x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 4 20.34x
Surrey 3 7.89x
Lancashire 1 1.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Atherstone in Warwickshire leads with 4 Veras recorded in 1881 and an index of 4000.00x.

Place Total Index
Atherstone 4 4000.00x
Newington 3 104.17x
Manchester 1 24.04x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Charlotte 1
Eleanor 1
Florence 1
Matilda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 2
Clare 1
Frank 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 Vera households.

FAQ

Vera surname: questions and answers

How common was the Vera surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Vera surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Vera surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 164 in 2016. That gives Vera a modern rank of #22,314.

What does the Vera surname mean?

A Spanish and Portuguese surname derived from the Latin word "vērus," meaning "true" or "genuine."

What does the Vera map show?

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