NameCensus.

UK surname

Abedin

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "worshipper" or "servant," derived from the Arabic name "Abed."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Hertfordshire, Tower Hamlets and Walsall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Abedin is 352 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

352

2016, ranked #13,104

Peak year

2016

352 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 352 in 2016, ranked #13,104.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Abedin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Abedin surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Abedin 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 116 #24,688
1998 modern 145 #22,139
1999 modern 166 #20,458
2000 modern 162 #20,735
2001 modern 171 #19,770
2002 modern 213 #17,603
2003 modern 219 #17,085
2004 modern 234 #16,416
2005 modern 240 #16,092
2006 modern 253 #15,602
2007 modern 283 #14,579
2008 modern 289 #14,502
2009 modern 330 #13,513
2010 modern 347 #13,325
2011 modern 325 #13,808
2012 modern 317 #13,960
2013 modern 336 #13,574
2014 modern 345 #13,396
2015 modern 346 #13,284
2016 modern 352 #13,104

Geography

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Where Abedins 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 East Hertfordshire, Tower Hamlets, Walsall and Bradford. 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 East Hertfordshire 005 East Hertfordshire
2 Tower Hamlets 021 Tower Hamlets
3 Walsall 034 Walsall
4 Bradford 008 Bradford
5 Tower Hamlets 014 Tower Hamlets

Forenames

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First names often paired with Abedin

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Abedin is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

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

Abedin 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

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

Meaning and origin of Abedin

The surname Abedin is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the Arab world. It is derived from the Arabic word "Abideen," which means "worshippers" or "servants of God." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals who were deeply religious or devoted to their faith.

The earliest known records of the Abedin surname date back to the 7th century, during the early years of the Islamic era. It is likely that the name was adopted by families or tribes who played a significant role in the spread of Islam or were closely associated with religious institutions or figures.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Abedin name can be found in historical texts and manuscripts from the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled over much of the Middle East and parts of North Africa from the 8th to the 13th century. These texts mention individuals with the surname Abedin holding prominent positions within the caliphate's administrative or religious structures.

As the Arab world expanded and trade routes flourished, the Abedin name spread to various regions, including parts of modern-day Iran, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. In some areas, the name may have taken on slight variations in spelling or pronunciation, reflecting local linguistic influences.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the Abedin surname. One such individual was Abu Bakr al-Abedin (born c. 1005 CE), a renowned Sufi scholar and poet from Nishapur, Iran, who made significant contributions to Islamic literature and mysticism.

Another prominent figure was Zaynuddin al-Abedin (1233-1287 CE), a respected Islamic jurist and theologian from Damascus, Syria, who played a crucial role in the development of Islamic jurisprudence and legal theory.

In the 14th century, Ibn al-Abedin (1318-1386 CE) was a renowned Hanafi scholar and author from Damascus, known for his influential works on Islamic law and theology.

During the Ottoman Empire, the Abedin family held significant influence and power in various regions. One notable member was Ali Pasha Abedin (1744-1827), an Ottoman statesman and governor who served in several provinces, including Tripoli and Damascus.

In more recent times, Huma Abedin (born 1976), an American political staffer and former vice chair of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, is perhaps the most widely recognized figure with the Abedin surname.

While the Abedin name has deep historical roots and a rich cultural heritage, it continues to be carried by individuals around the world, reflecting the global reach and diversity of this ancient surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Abedin surname: questions and answers

How common is the Abedin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 352 in 2016. That gives Abedin a modern rank of #13,104.

What does the Abedin surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "worshipper" or "servant," derived from the Arabic name "Abed."

What does the Abedin map show?

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