NameCensus.

UK surname

Alim

An Arabic surname meaning "learned" or "knowledgeable".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Alim is 379 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

358

2016, ranked #12,931

Peak year

2010

379 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 358 in 2016, ranked #12,931.
  • 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.

Alim surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Alim surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Alim 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
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 140 #22,031
1998 modern 155 #21,227
1999 modern 177 #19,670
2000 modern 189 #18,860
2001 modern 185 #18,840
2002 modern 225 #16,994
2003 modern 225 #16,808
2004 modern 247 #15,821
2005 modern 288 #14,189
2006 modern 305 #13,766
2007 modern 318 #13,503
2008 modern 328 #13,319
2009 modern 357 #12,766
2010 modern 379 #12,483
2011 modern 359 #12,856
2012 modern 350 #12,965
2013 modern 354 #13,079
2014 modern 351 #13,227
2015 modern 357 #12,979
2016 modern 358 #12,931

Geography

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Where Alims 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 Law, Tower Hamlets, Sandwell, Kirklees and Merton. 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 Law Dundee City
2 Tower Hamlets 007 Tower Hamlets
3 Sandwell 019 Sandwell
4 Kirklees 043 Kirklees
5 Merton 009 Merton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Alim

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Alim

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

Alim 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

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

Meaning and origin of Alim

The surname "ALIM" is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in the Arab world, during the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "alim," which means "scholar" or "learned person." This name was likely given to individuals who were renowned for their knowledge and scholarly pursuits in various fields, such as religion, literature, or science.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "ALIM" can be found in medieval Islamic manuscripts and historical records from the 8th and 9th centuries. These documents often mention scholars and religious figures bearing this name, highlighting their contributions to the intellectual and cultural landscape of the time.

One notable figure from the 9th century was Abu Bakr al-Alim, a celebrated scholar of hadith (Islamic tradition) and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). He was born in Baghdad around 810 CE and studied under renowned scholars of his time, eventually becoming a respected authority in his field.

In the 11th century, a renowned Persian scholar and poet named Abu'l-Ala al-Alim gained prominence for his work in the field of literature and philosophy. He was born in Merv (present-day Turkmenistan) in 1020 CE and is known for his intricate poetic style and philosophical writings.

During the 12th century, the name "ALIM" appeared in various historical records from the Islamic world, including the works of the renowned historian Ibn Khaldun. One prominent individual bearing this name was Shams al-Din al-Alim, a scholar of Islamic law and theology who lived in Damascus during the late 12th century.

As the Islamic civilization spread across various regions, the surname "ALIM" also found its way into different cultures and languages. For instance, in the Indian subcontinent, the name was adopted and adapted to local linguistic traditions, resulting in variations such as "Alam" and "Aalim."

One notable figure from the Indian subcontinent was Shah Waliullah al-Alim, a renowned Islamic scholar and reformer who lived in the 18th century. He was born in 1703 CE in Delhi and made significant contributions to the revival of Islamic thought and education in the region.

Throughout history, the surname "ALIM" has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge, ranging from religion and philosophy to literature and science. While the name may have undergone minor variations in spelling or pronunciation across different cultures and regions, its essence remains rooted in the recognition of scholarly pursuits and intellectual achievements.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Alim surname: questions and answers

How common is the Alim surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 358 in 2016. That gives Alim a modern rank of #12,931.

What does the Alim surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "learned" or "knowledgeable".

What does the Alim map show?

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