NameCensus.

UK surname

Abbas

An Arabic surname indicating one's descent from Al-'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Abbas surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,630, ranked #1,468, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Rochdale and Luton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abbas is 4,630 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 231400.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

4,630

2016, ranked #1,468

Peak year

2016

4,630 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Abbas had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,630 in 2016, ranked #1,468.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Abbas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abbas surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Abbas 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 13 #30,970
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 1,256 #4,539
1998 modern 1,412 #4,245
1999 modern 1,565 #3,936
2000 modern 1,661 #3,715
2001 modern 1,692 #3,591
2002 modern 2,039 #3,126
2003 modern 2,223 #2,840
2004 modern 2,468 #2,600
2005 modern 2,678 #2,404
2006 modern 3,010 #2,155
2007 modern 3,291 #2,016
2008 modern 3,512 #1,891
2009 modern 3,805 #1,784
2010 modern 4,183 #1,660
2011 modern 4,170 #1,642
2012 modern 4,245 #1,577
2013 modern 4,428 #1,548
2014 modern 4,563 #1,513
2015 modern 4,567 #1,499
2016 modern 4,630 #1,468

Geography

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Where Abbas' 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 Manchester, Rochdale, Luton and Woking. 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 Manchester 027 Manchester
2 Manchester 008 Manchester
3 Rochdale 015 Rochdale
4 Luton 010 Luton
5 Woking 004 Woking

Forenames

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First names often paired with Abbas

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

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Abbas surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Abbas household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Abbas is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Abbas 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

Abbas falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Abbas 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Abbas

The surname ABBAS is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Arabic word "al-Abbas" which means "the lion" or "the great one". The name is believed to have originated in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Mecca and Medina.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name ABBAS can be found in Islamic historical records and manuscripts, where it is mentioned as the name of Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of Prophet Muhammad. Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib lived from around 566 AD to 653 AD and was a prominent figure in early Islamic history.

The ABBAS surname later spread to other parts of the Middle East and North Africa as Islam expanded. It became particularly common in regions such as Egypt, Syria, and Iraq, where it was adopted by both Arab and non-Arab populations.

Over the centuries, the name ABBAS has been associated with various notable individuals. One of the most famous was Abbas I, also known as Abbas the Great, who reigned as the Shah of Persia from 1588 to 1629. He is credited with reviving the Safavid dynasty and strengthening the Persian Empire.

Another historical figure with the ABBAS surname was Abbas II, who ruled as the Shah of Persia from 1642 to 1666. He is known for his ambitious architectural projects, including the construction of the famous Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan.

The ABBAS name has also been associated with literary figures, such as Abbas al-Aqqad, an Egyptian poet and writer who lived from 1889 to 1964. He was a prominent figure in the Arab literary renaissance and played a significant role in promoting Arabic literature.

In the realm of politics, Abbas Mirza, the crown prince of Persia from 1789 to 1833, was a notable figure with the ABBAS surname. He was a military commander and played a crucial role in modernizing the Persian army.

It is worth noting that the ABBAS surname has also been subject to variations in spelling and pronunciation over time and across different regions. Some alternative spellings include Abbaas, Abas, and Abbass.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Abbas families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Abbas 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Abbas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 2 Abbas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 106.95x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 2 106.95x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Harriet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Samuel 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 Abbas households.

Occupation Count
(Lodg) 1
Horsekeeper G N R 1

FAQ

Abbas surname: questions and answers

How common was the Abbas surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Abbas surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Abbas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,630 in 2016. That gives Abbas a modern rank of #1,468.

What does the Abbas surname mean?

An Arabic surname indicating one's descent from Al-'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, an uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

What does the Abbas map show?

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