NameCensus.

UK surname

Aktar

A surname of Turkish origin meaning "herbalist" or "spice merchant."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Aktar is 1,416 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,416

2016, ranked #4,306

Peak year

2016

1,416 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,416 in 2016, ranked #4,306.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Aktar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Aktar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Aktar 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 503 #9,259
1998 modern 550 #8,937
1999 modern 592 #8,517
2000 modern 628 #8,156
2001 modern 621 #8,078
2002 modern 726 #7,299
2003 modern 752 #7,007
2004 modern 806 #6,631
2005 modern 868 #6,197
2006 modern 918 #5,949
2007 modern 1,004 #5,591
2008 modern 1,079 #5,298
2009 modern 1,141 #5,165
2010 modern 1,235 #4,924
2011 modern 1,252 #4,812
2012 modern 1,256 #4,716
2013 modern 1,307 #4,634
2014 modern 1,341 #4,546
2015 modern 1,356 #4,465
2016 modern 1,416 #4,306

Geography

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Where Aktars 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 Oldham and Tower Hamlets. 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 Oldham 016 Oldham
2 Tower Hamlets 008 Tower Hamlets
3 Tower Hamlets 019 Tower Hamlets
4 Tower Hamlets 018 Tower Hamlets
5 Tower Hamlets 025 Tower Hamlets

Forenames

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First names often paired with Aktar

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Aktar

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

Aktar 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

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

Meaning and origin of Aktar

The surname Aktar originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region now known as Pakistan. It can be traced back to the 16th century and is derived from the Persian word "aktar," which means "fragrant" or "perfumed." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals involved in the trade or production of fragrances and aromatic substances.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Aktar can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The document mentions an individual named Aktar Ali, who served as a courtier and held a prominent position in the imperial administration.

During the Mughal era, the Aktar family played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of the region. Notable figures include Aktar Khan (1620-1690), a renowned poet and scholar who patronized the arts and literature, and Aktar Begum (1650-1718), a prominent female poet and calligraphist.

In the 18th century, the Aktar family established a lineage of skilled perfumers and traders in the region of Sindh, now part of modern-day Pakistan. One of the most prominent members of this lineage was Aktar Muhammad (1725-1795), who established a thriving perfume business and was renowned for his expertise in distilling aromatic oils and essences.

Another notable figure with the surname Aktar was Aktar Hussain (1820-1890), a pioneering educator and social reformer from the city of Lahore. He played a crucial role in establishing modern educational institutions in the region and advocating for the education of women.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Aktar family continued to contribute to various fields, including literature, music, and politics. One such individual was Aktar Begum (1875-1945), a renowned classical singer and composer who was celebrated for her contributions to the rich musical traditions of the region.

While the surname Aktar has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical and cultural significance of the name remains deeply rooted in the region where it originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Aktar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Aktar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,416 in 2016. That gives Aktar a modern rank of #4,306.

What does the Aktar surname mean?

A surname of Turkish origin meaning "herbalist" or "spice merchant."

What does the Aktar map show?

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