NameCensus.

UK surname

Amarasinghe

A Sri Lankan surname meaning "immortal lion."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Amarasinghe is 131 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2016

131 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Amarasinghe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Amarasinghe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Amarasinghe 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
1997 modern 67 #30,915
1998 modern 74 #30,562
1999 modern 79 #30,243
2000 modern 80 #30,139
2001 modern 80 #29,945
2002 modern 95 #28,666
2003 modern 99 #27,871
2004 modern 99 #28,136
2005 modern 97 #28,485
2006 modern 97 #28,793
2007 modern 106 #27,722
2008 modern 117 #26,351
2009 modern 124 #25,957
2010 modern 125 #26,448
2011 modern 127 #25,926
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 127 #26,452
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 130 #26,093
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Amarasinghes 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 Slough, Enfield, Croydon and Hounslow. 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 Slough 009 Slough
2 Enfield 024 Enfield
3 Croydon 017 Croydon
4 Croydon 028 Croydon
5 Hounslow 010 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Amarasinghe

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

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Amarasinghe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Amarasinghe household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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, Amarasinghe 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

Amarasinghe 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

Amarasinghe falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Amarasinghe 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Amarasinghe

The surname AMARASINGHE is of Sri Lankan origin, tracing its roots back to the Sinhalese language and culture. The name is believed to have originated around the 15th century, during the era of the Kingdom of Kandy in the central highlands of the island.

AMARASINGHE is a compound name, derived from the Sinhalese words "amara," meaning deathless or immortal, and "singhe," which translates to lion. This combination suggests a connection to royalty, bravery, and strength, as the lion has long been a symbol of power and sovereignty in Sri Lankan traditions.

Historical records indicate that the AMARASINGHE surname first appeared in ancient palm-leaf manuscripts and inscriptions from the Kandyan period. These documents often recorded the names of prominent families, nobles, and administrators who served under the Kandyan kings.

One of the earliest known references to the AMARASINGHE name can be found in the "Mahavamsa," a historical chronicle that details the lineage of Sri Lankan rulers and chronicles significant events from the 6th century BCE to the 18th century CE. The text mentions an individual named Amarasinghe Dissawa, who held a high-ranking position in the Kandyan court during the 16th century.

Throughout the centuries, the AMARASINGHE surname has been associated with several notable individuals. Amarasinghe Mudiyanselage Don Philip Amarasinghe (1825-1891) was a pioneering Sinhalese author and poet who played a crucial role in reviving and promoting Sinhalese literature during the British colonial period.

Another prominent figure was Amarasinghe Mudiyanselage Sirisena Amarasinghe (1920-1992), a renowned Sri Lankan novelist, short story writer, and playwright. His works, such as "Gal Pol Nohena" and "Gal Kedi Lokuwa," explored themes of rural life and social issues, earning him a place among Sri Lanka's literary greats.

In the realm of politics, Amarasinghe Mudiyansalage Sirisena Cooray (1932-2022) was a distinguished Sri Lankan politician who served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2000. He played a pivotal role in fostering peace negotiations during the country's civil war.

Another notable figure was Amarasinghe Kumarasiri (1928-2008), a respected Sri Lankan artist and sculptor. His works, which often incorporated traditional Sinhalese motifs and themes, are widely celebrated and can be found in numerous galleries and public spaces across the country.

The AMARASINGHE surname has also been associated with several place names in Sri Lanka, particularly in the central and southern regions of the island. These include villages and towns such as Amarasinghe Watte, Amarasinghe Palama, and Amarasinghe Gama, which likely derived their names from prominent local families or landowners bearing the AMARASINGHE surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Amarasinghe surname: questions and answers

How common is the Amarasinghe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Amarasinghe a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Amarasinghe surname mean?

A Sri Lankan surname meaning "immortal lion."

What does the Amarasinghe map show?

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