NameCensus.

UK surname

Amar

A surname derived from the Spanish word meaning "to love".

In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Amar surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 400, ranked #11,879, up from #32,416 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Northampton, Nottingham and Derby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Amar is 410 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 4344.4%.

1881 census count

9

Ranked #32,416

Modern count

400

2016, ranked #11,879

Peak year

2014

410 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Amar had 9 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,416 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 400 in 2016, ranked #11,879.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 21 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Amar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Amar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Amar 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
1851 historical 10 #31,497
1861 historical 21 #31,242
1881 historical 9 #32,416
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 150 #21,119
1998 modern 165 #20,423
1999 modern 175 #19,798
2000 modern 206 #17,880
2001 modern 207 #17,573
2002 modern 230 #16,730
2003 modern 233 #16,394
2004 modern 239 #16,193
2005 modern 255 #15,437
2006 modern 276 #14,700
2007 modern 295 #14,198
2008 modern 307 #13,907
2009 modern 339 #13,281
2010 modern 363 #12,878
2011 modern 372 #12,519
2012 modern 387 #12,015
2013 modern 401 #11,890
2014 modern 410 #11,788
2015 modern 401 #11,889
2016 modern 400 #11,879

Geography

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Where Amars 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 Northampton, Nottingham, Derby, Gedling and Westminster. 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 Northampton 007 Northampton
2 Nottingham 026 Nottingham
3 Derby 022 Derby
4 Gedling 009 Gedling
5 Westminster 019 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Amar

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

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Amar 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

Amar 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

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

Meaning and origin of Amar

The surname AMAR is of Arabic origin, derived from the word 'amar' meaning 'to live' or 'to flourish'. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East during the medieval period, specifically in regions like Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the AMAR surname can be found in the 13th century, when it appeared in various Arabic manuscripts and records from the region. The name was sometimes spelled as 'Ammar' or 'Ammer' during this time.

During the Crusades, the AMAR surname was carried across the Mediterranean and into parts of Europe, particularly Spain and Portugal. In these regions, the name often took on the spelling variations of 'Amaro' or 'Amaral'.

The AMAR surname gained prominence in the 16th century, when a family bearing this name held significant influence in the city of Damascus, Syria. One notable member was Ahmad al-Amar, a renowned scholar and poet who lived from 1561 to 1624.

In the 18th century, the AMAR surname appeared in the historical records of the Ottoman Empire, particularly in regions like modern-day Turkey and Greece. One notable figure was Mustafa Amar Pasha, an Ottoman statesman and military commander who lived from 1720 to 1785.

As the AMAR surname spread across the Middle East and parts of Europe, it also found its way to the Indian subcontinent. One notable individual was Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817-1898), an Indian Muslim scholar and reformer who played a pivotal role in the establishment of modern education in India.

In the 20th century, the AMAR surname gained recognition in various fields, including literature and politics. One prominent figure was Ahmed Amin Amar (1886-1962), an Egyptian writer and journalist known for his contributions to Arabic literature.

Another notable individual was Yahya Amar (1923-2016), a Moroccan politician and activist who played a significant role in the country's independence movement and served as the Minister of Education in the 1960s.

Throughout history, the AMAR surname has been associated with various place names and locations, such as Amar Bazar in Kolkata, India, and Amar Colony in New Delhi, India, both named after individuals bearing this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Amar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Amar 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. Anglesey leads with 3 Amars recorded in 1881 and an index of 193.55x.

County Total Index
Anglesey 3 193.55x
Middlesex 2 2.28x
Shropshire 2 26.42x
Berkshire 1 15.20x
Hampshire 1 5.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holyhead in Anglesey leads with 3 Amars recorded in 1881 and an index of 1034.48x.

Place Total Index
Holyhead 3 1034.48x
Bridgnorth St Mary 2 2857.14x
Bucklebury 1 3333.33x
Goodworth Clatford 1 5000.00x
St James Dukes Place 1 5000.00x
Whitechapel London 1 116.28x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 1
Mary 1
Mitilda 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 2
Henry 1
Richard 1
Solomon 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 Amar households.

FAQ

Amar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Amar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Amar surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Amar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 400 in 2016. That gives Amar a modern rank of #11,879.

What does the Amar surname mean?

A surname derived from the Spanish word meaning "to love".

What does the Amar map show?

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