NameCensus.

UK surname

Abass

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "lion," derived from the Arabic word "al-abbas."

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Abass surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 200, ranked #19,591, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sandwell, Southwark and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abass is 201 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6566.7%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

200

2016, ranked #19,591

Peak year

2013

201 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Abass had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016, ranked #19,591.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Abass surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abass surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Abass 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 3 #33,498
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 36 #34,071
1998 modern 43 #33,557
1999 modern 49 #33,130
2000 modern 53 #32,805
2001 modern 54 #32,583
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 80 #30,425
2004 modern 94 #28,896
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 125 #24,611
2007 modern 150 #22,212
2008 modern 164 #21,137
2009 modern 177 #20,560
2010 modern 193 #19,880
2011 modern 197 #19,483
2012 modern 191 #19,802
2013 modern 201 #19,454
2014 modern 196 #19,961
2015 modern 196 #19,840
2016 modern 200 #19,591

Geography

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Where Abass' 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 Sandwell, Southwark, Birmingham, Slough and Hackney. 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 Sandwell 035 Sandwell
2 Southwark 019 Southwark
3 Birmingham 082 Birmingham
4 Slough 009 Slough
5 Hackney 002 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Abass

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Abass

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

Abass 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

Abass 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 Abass 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Abass

The surname ABASS is of Arabic origin, derived from the personal name Abbas, which means "lion" or "stern father." It dates back to the early Islamic period in the Middle East and North Africa.

The name ABASS was initially confined to regions with a strong Arab influence, such as the Arabian Peninsula, parts of the Levant, and North Africa. It is believed to have been introduced to other parts of the world through trade, migration, and cultural exchange during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name ABASS can be found in medieval Arabic manuscripts and genealogical records. For instance, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, was a prominent figure in early Islamic history.

In the Iberian Peninsula, the name ABASS is thought to have been introduced during the Muslim rule of Al-Andalus, which lasted from the 8th to the 15th century. Some notable figures from this period include Abbas ibn Firnas, a 9th-century Andalusian polymath known for his contributions to aviation and engineering.

During the Ottoman Empire's expansion in the 16th and 17th centuries, the name ABASS likely spread to various regions under Ottoman control, including parts of Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ABASS in England can be found in the 16th century. John Abass, born around 1550, was a merchant and trader who settled in London.

Another notable figure with the surname ABASS is Ferhat Abbas (1899-1985), an Algerian politician and leader of the Algerian nationalist movement during the struggle for independence from France.

Ibrahim Abbas (1920-1988) was an Egyptian historian and author known for his works on the history of Egypt and the Arab world.

Mahmoud Abbas (born 1935) is a prominent Palestinian politician who has served as the President of the Palestinian National Authority since 2005.

In the literary world, Ihsan Abbas (1920-2003) was an Iraqi writer, translator, and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Arabic literature and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Abass families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Abass 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. Essex leads with 1 Abass' recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.04x.

County Total Index
Essex 1 13.04x
Kent 1 7.54x
Middlesex 1 2.57x
Royal Navy 1 217.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Ham in Essex leads with 1 Abass' recorded in 1881 and an index of 714.29x.

Place Total Index
East Ham 1 714.29x
Greenwich 1 161.29x
Poplar London 1 136.99x

FAQ

Abass surname: questions and answers

How common was the Abass surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Abass surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Abass surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 200 in 2016. That gives Abass a modern rank of #19,591.

What does the Abass surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "lion," derived from the Arabic word "al-abbas."

What does the Abass map show?

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