NameCensus.

UK surname

Agarwal

A surname of Indian origin referring to a community of agricultural, mercantile, or banking workers.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrow, Westminster and Hounslow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Agarwal is 1,034 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,034

2016, ranked #5,641

Peak year

2016

1,034 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,034 in 2016, ranked #5,641.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Agarwal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Agarwal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Agarwal 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 212 #16,996
1998 modern 255 #15,470
1999 modern 281 #14,578
2000 modern 311 #13,588
2001 modern 290 #14,033
2002 modern 363 #12,296
2003 modern 381 #11,667
2004 modern 450 #10,321
2005 modern 504 #9,393
2006 modern 570 #8,606
2007 modern 668 #7,708
2008 modern 745 #7,139
2009 modern 784 #6,995
2010 modern 866 #6,597
2011 modern 896 #6,342
2012 modern 964 #5,906
2013 modern 1,022 #5,722
2014 modern 1,030 #5,721
2015 modern 1,009 #5,769
2016 modern 1,034 #5,641

Geography

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Where Agarwals 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 Harrow, Westminster, Hounslow and Cardiff. 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 Harrow 023 Harrow
2 Westminster 001 Westminster
3 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
4 Westminster 018 Westminster
5 Cardiff 032 Cardiff

Forenames

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First names often paired with Agarwal

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

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Agarwal is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

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

Agarwal 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

Agarwal falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Agarwal 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Agarwal

The surname Agarwal has its origins in India and can be traced back to the 15th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'agaru', which means 'a kind of tree' or 'aloewood'. The name Agarwal is believed to have been initially used to denote people who worked with agaru or aloewood, either as traders or artisans.

The Agarwal community is predominantly found in the northern and western regions of India, particularly in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. The name is also prevalent among the Marwari and Baniya communities, which are traditionally involved in trading and business activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Agarwal can be found in the 'Ain-i-Akbari', a 16th-century administrative document compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The document mentions the Agarwal community as a prominent trading group in the region.

In the 17th century, the Agarwal community played a significant role in the establishment of the famous Banaras Brocades industry, which involved the production of intricate silk and brocade fabrics. Notable individuals from this period include Shri Lalu Agarwal, a renowned silk weaver and entrepreneur from Varanasi.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Agarwal community expanded their business interests and became influential in various sectors, including banking, textiles, and trade. One prominent figure from this era was Raja Baldev Singh Agarwal (1828-1897), a wealthy banker and philanthropist from Rajasthan.

In more recent times, the Agarwal surname has been associated with several notable personalities. These include Amar Nath Agarwal (1886-1981), a renowned Indian freedom fighter and social reformer; Vinod Agarwal (1939-2004), a prominent industrialist and founder of the Dainik Bhaskar media group; and Arun Agarwal (born 1967), a successful Indian-American business executive and former CEO of Jaipan Industries.

Other notable individuals with the Agarwal surname include Brij Mohan Agarwal (1908-1988), a renowned Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh; Atul Agarwal (born 1956), an accomplished Indian classical singer; and Shiva Agarwal (born 1992), an Indian entrepreneur and co-founder of the mobile application Hike Messenger.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Agarwal surname: questions and answers

How common is the Agarwal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,034 in 2016. That gives Agarwal a modern rank of #5,641.

What does the Agarwal surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin referring to a community of agricultural, mercantile, or banking workers.

What does the Agarwal map show?

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