NameCensus.

UK surname

Akhtar

A Persian and Urdu surname meaning "star," often bestowed as an epithet for someone of distinction or fame.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Akhtar is 26,765 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

26,151

2016, ranked #215

Peak year

2011

26,765 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 26,151 in 2016, ranked #215.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Akhtar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Akhtar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Akhtar 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 14,357 #419
1998 modern 15,880 #398
1999 modern 16,858 #377
2000 modern 17,870 #345
2001 modern 17,643 #337
2002 modern 19,833 #299
2003 modern 20,301 #290
2004 modern 21,179 #276
2005 modern 21,840 #258
2006 modern 22,985 #245
2007 modern 24,079 #230
2008 modern 24,881 #224
2009 modern 25,804 #221
2010 modern 26,728 #214
2011 modern 26,765 #212
2012 modern 26,007 #213
2013 modern 26,538 #213
2014 modern 26,572 #215
2015 modern 26,373 #214
2016 modern 26,151 #215

Geography

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Where Akhtars 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 Birmingham, Oldham 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 Birmingham 139 Birmingham
2 Oldham 022 Oldham
3 Bradford 033 Bradford
4 Bradford 044 Bradford
5 Bradford 042 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Akhtar

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Akhtar

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

Akhtar 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

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

Meaning and origin of Akhtar

The surname AKHTAR is of Arabic origin, originating from the Arabic word "akhtar" which means "brighter" or "more beautiful." The name is commonly found among Muslim communities in South Asia, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The earliest recorded use of the name AKHTAR can be traced back to the 7th century, during the Islamic Golden Age. It is believed that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who were known for their intellect, wisdom, or exceptional qualities.

In the 13th century, during the Delhi Sultanate period, the name AKHTAR gained prominence as several notable scholars and poets bore this surname. One such individual was Amir Khusrau Akhtar, a renowned Sufi poet, and musician who lived from 1253 to 1325 CE.

The name AKHTAR has been associated with several distinguished figures throughout history. Mirza Asadullah Khan Akhtar, better known as Ghalib (1797-1869), was a prominent Urdu and Persian poet from Delhi. His literary works are widely celebrated and have left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of the Indian subcontinent.

Another notable figure with the surname AKHTAR is Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), a renowned scholar, writer, and one of the prominent leaders of the Indian independence movement. He served as the first education minister of independent India.

In the field of sports, Zaheer Abbas Akhtar (born 1947) was a legendary Pakistani cricketer who played from 1969 to 1985. He was known for his elegant batting style and is considered one of the greatest batsmen in Pakistan's cricketing history.

The surname AKHTAR has also been associated with various place names and localities across South Asia. For instance, the village of Akhtarpur in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is believed to have derived its name from an individual bearing the surname AKHTAR.

It is important to note that while the surname AKHTAR has its roots in Arabic, its usage and popularity have transcended geographical boundaries, making it a common surname among diverse communities in South Asia and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Akhtar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Akhtar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 26,151 in 2016. That gives Akhtar a modern rank of #215.

What does the Akhtar surname mean?

A Persian and Urdu surname meaning "star," often bestowed as an epithet for someone of distinction or fame.

What does the Akhtar map show?

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