NameCensus.

UK surname

Abdillahi

Derived from the Arabic name Abdullah, meaning "servant of Allah" or "servant of God."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, North Lincolnshire and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abdillahi is 301 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

298

2016, ranked #14,801

Peak year

2014

301 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 298 in 2016, ranked #14,801.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Abdillahi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abdillahi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Abdillahi 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
1997 modern 51 #32,545
1998 modern 44 #33,462
1999 modern 55 #32,561
2000 modern 61 #32,039
2001 modern 67 #31,297
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 84 #29,978
2004 modern 111 #26,293
2005 modern 138 #22,999
2006 modern 171 #20,131
2007 modern 186 #19,337
2008 modern 203 #18,470
2009 modern 227 #17,544
2010 modern 238 #17,323
2011 modern 241 #17,057
2012 modern 266 #15,828
2013 modern 285 #15,313
2014 modern 301 #14,809
2015 modern 297 #14,863
2016 modern 298 #14,801

Geography

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Where Abdillahis 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 Camden, North Lincolnshire, Cardiff, Bristol and Harrow. 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 Camden 023 Camden
2 North Lincolnshire 008 North Lincolnshire
3 Cardiff 049 Cardiff
4 Bristol 023 Bristol, City of
5 Harrow 024 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Abdillahi

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Abdillahi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Abdillahi 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Abdillahi is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Abdillahi 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

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

Meaning and origin of Abdillahi

The surname "ABDILLAHI" originates from Somalia, a country located in the Horn of Africa. Its roots can be traced back to the late 15th century during the medieval period of the Somali Sultanates.

This surname is derived from the Arabic name "Abd Allah," which translates to "servant of God." The "i" suffix is a common Somali patronymic designation, indicating lineage or descent. The name reflects the region's strong Islamic heritage and the influence of Arabic culture on Somali naming traditions.

Historical records show that the name ABDILLAHI appeared in various manuscripts and documents from the 16th and 17th centuries, documenting the prevalence of this surname among prominent Somali families and clans. One notable example is found in the chronicles of the Ajuran Sultanate, which ruled parts of southern Somalia during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded bearer of the surname ABDILLAHI is Abdillahi Gures, a renowned Somali poet and scholar who lived in the late 16th century. His works, which explored themes of religion, culture, and society, have been preserved and studied by scholars for their literary and historical significance.

Another prominent figure bearing this surname was Abdillahi Mahmud Ibrahim, a Somali military leader and statesman who played a crucial role in the resistance against European colonization in the late 19th century. He was born in 1856 and led the Dervish State, an organized anti-colonial movement, until his death in 1920.

During the 18th century, the surname ABDILLAHI was also associated with the ancient city of Mogadishu, which served as a significant trade hub and cultural center in the region. Records from this period mention several notable individuals with this surname, including merchants, scholars, and religious leaders.

In the 19th century, Abdillahi Yusuf Ahmed, a revered Somali poet and philosopher, gained widespread recognition for his works that explored themes of spirituality, ethics, and social commentary. He was born in 1827 and is celebrated as one of the greatest Somali intellectuals of his time.

Another influential figure was Abdillahi Qarshe, a renowned Somali diplomat and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of the Somali Republic in the early 20th century. He played a pivotal role in the country's independence movement and the formation of the Somali nation-state.

Throughout its history, the surname ABDILLAHI has been closely associated with Somali culture, religion, and intellectual traditions, reflecting the rich heritage and diverse contributions of individuals bearing this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Abdillahi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Abdillahi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 298 in 2016. That gives Abdillahi a modern rank of #14,801.

What does the Abdillahi surname mean?

Derived from the Arabic name Abdullah, meaning "servant of Allah" or "servant of God."

What does the Abdillahi map show?

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