NameCensus.

UK surname

Al

An Arabic surname meaning "the" or referring to someone's ancestry, place of origin, or notable characteristics.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Al surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 193, ranked #20,039, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Enfield and Haringey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Al is 193 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2657.1%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

193

2016, ranked #20,039

Peak year

2016

193 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Al had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016, ranked #20,039.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Al surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Al surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Al 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
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 27 #35,016
1998 modern 28 #35,053
1999 modern 23 #35,612
2000 modern 26 #35,295
2001 modern 24 #35,357
2002 modern 25 #35,428
2003 modern 31 #34,957
2004 modern 34 #34,868
2005 modern 32 #35,191
2006 modern 73 #31,954
2007 modern 43 #34,845
2008 modern 50 #34,521
2009 modern 56 #34,278
2010 modern 76 #33,009
2011 modern 75 #33,071
2012 modern 112 #28,174
2013 modern 121 #27,255
2014 modern 141 #24,855
2015 modern 159 #22,796
2016 modern 193 #20,039

Geography

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Where Als 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 Hackney, Enfield, Haringey and Ealing. 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 Hackney 025 Hackney
2 Enfield 033 Enfield
3 Haringey 008 Haringey
4 Haringey 017 Haringey
5 Ealing 015 Ealing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Al

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Al surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Al 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Al 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

Al 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

Al 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 Al 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Al

The surname "Al" is believed to have originated in the Arab world, specifically in the Middle East and North Africa. It is thought to be derived from the Arabic word "al," which means "the" and is often used as a definite article or prefix in Arabic names.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Al" can be found in medieval Islamic texts and manuscripts. It was commonly used as a prefix in the names of prominent individuals, scholars, and rulers during that time period.

In the 8th century, the renowned mathematician and astronomer, Al-Khwarizmi, whose full name was Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi, made significant contributions to the fields of algebra and algorithms. He was born around 780 CE in the region of modern-day Uzbekistan.

Another notable figure with the surname "Al" was the 12th-century philosopher and physician, Ibn Rushd, also known as Averroes. His full name was Abu al-Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd Al-Hafid, and he was born in Cordoba, Spain, in 1126 CE.

In the 13th century, the renowned scholar and polymath, Al-Idrissi, whose full name was Abu Abd Allah Muhammad al-Idrissi al-Qurtubi, was known for his works on geography and cartography. He was born in Ceuta, Morocco, around 1099 CE.

The surname "Al" has also been associated with various place names in the Arab world. For instance, the city of Aleppo in Syria was historically known as "Halab Al-Shahba," and the region of Al-Andalus in Spain was named after the Vandal tribes that settled there.

Another renowned figure with the surname "Al" was Ibn Battuta, the 14th-century Moroccan explorer and traveler. His full name was Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Battuta Al-Lawati Al-Tanji, and he was born in Tangier, Morocco, in 1304 CE.

While the surname "Al" has its roots in the Arab world, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions over time, particularly in areas with significant Arab or Islamic influence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Al families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Al surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Derbyshire leads with 1 Als recorded in 1881 and an index of 66.23x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 1 66.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mickleover in Derbyshire leads with 1 Als recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Mickleover 1 0.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Al surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
M. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Al households.

Occupation Count
Widow Of Schoolmaster 1

FAQ

Al surname: questions and answers

How common was the Al surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Al surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Al surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016. That gives Al a modern rank of #20,039.

What does the Al surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "the" or referring to someone's ancestry, place of origin, or notable characteristics.

What does the Al map show?

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