UK surname

Viera

A Spanish surname derived from the word "vieira," meaning scallop shell, likely referring to a pilgrim or crusader.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Croydon, Hammersmith and Fulham and Sutton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Viera is 110 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

101

2016, ranked #30,929

Peak year

2014

110 bearers

Map years

2016 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016, ranked #30,929.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1911.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Map

Viera surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Viera surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Viera 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
1911	historical	2	#34,020
1997	modern	43	#33,361
1998	modern	38	#34,066
1999	modern	43	#33,683
2000	modern	45	#33,526
2001	modern	43	#33,576
2002	modern	46	#33,631
2003	modern	41	#34,113
2004	modern	57	#32,968
2005	modern	65	#32,387
2006	modern	69	#32,343
2007	modern	81	#31,408
2008	modern	86	#31,114
2009	modern	97	#30,076
2010	modern	102	#29,930
2011	modern	108	#28,811
2012	modern	102	#29,902
2013	modern	104	#30,076
2014	modern	110	#29,294
2015	modern	100	#31,005
2016	modern	101	#30,929

Geography

Where Vieras 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 Croydon, Hammersmith and Fulham, Sutton, Westminster and Leicester. 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	Croydon 005	Croydon
2	Hammersmith and Fulham 005	Hammersmith and Fulham
3	Sutton 006	Sutton
4	Westminster 024	Westminster
5	Leicester 008	Leicester

Forenames

First names often paired with Viera

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Maria Fatima Andrea Carla Ana Tess Sunna Natasha Rosa Alba

Recent male names

Jose Samuel David Alexander Antonio Luis Pedro Daniel Joseph Frederick

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Viera

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Viera is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Viera 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Viera 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Viera is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - Other

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Viera

The surname Viera originates from Portugal, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Portuguese word "vieira," which means "scallop shell." The name was likely adopted as a surname by individuals who lived near the sea or were involved in fishing or maritime activities.

In the 14th century, the Viera surname appeared in various historical records and documents, such as land deeds and tax rolls. One notable early reference is found in the "Livro Velho de Linhagens" (Old Book of Lineages), a Portuguese genealogical text compiled in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

The earliest recorded bearer of the surname Viera was João Viera, a nobleman from the town of Barcelos in northern Portugal, who lived during the 13th century. Another early bearer was Fernão Viera, a 14th-century Portuguese explorer and navigator who participated in the discovery and exploration of the Canary Islands.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Viera surname became more widespread throughout Portugal and its colonies. Some notable individuals with this surname include:

1. Tomé Viera (1470-1540), a Portuguese explorer who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan on the first circumnavigation of the globe.

2. António Viera (1608-1697), a Portuguese Jesuit priest, renowned writer, and orator, often referred to as the "Prince of Portuguese Pulpit Orators."

3. Baltasar Viera (1630-1688), a Portuguese architect and military engineer who designed several fortifications in Brazil and Angola.

4. Manuel Viera (1715-1789), a Spanish-born Portuguese painter known for his religious and historical works.

5. José da Cunha Viera (1820-1897), a Brazilian lawyer, politician, and journalist who served as the Prime Minister of Brazil from 1885 to 1886.

The surname Viera was also found in various place names, such as Vieira de Leiria, a municipality in central Portugal, and Vieira do Minho, a town in northern Portugal. These place names likely derived from the Portuguese word "vieira," indicating the presence of scallop shells or maritime activities in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Viera surname: questions and answers

How common is the Viera surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016. That gives Viera a modern rank of #30,929.

What does the Viera surname mean?