NameCensus.

UK surname

Askar

A habitational surname derived from the Arabic word "al-askar" meaning "the camp" or "the army."

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Askar surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 159, ranked #22,798, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Ealing and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Askar is 159 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7850.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

159

2016, ranked #22,798

Peak year

2016

159 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Askar had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016, ranked #22,798.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 15 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Askar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Askar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Askar 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 15 #31,942
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 45 #33,168
1998 modern 49 #33,000
1999 modern 46 #33,424
2000 modern 51 #32,999
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 59 #32,468
2003 modern 69 #31,587
2004 modern 68 #31,880
2005 modern 76 #31,267
2006 modern 90 #29,893
2007 modern 95 #29,493
2008 modern 93 #30,123
2009 modern 109 #28,145
2010 modern 133 #25,379
2011 modern 140 #24,395
2012 modern 142 #24,148
2013 modern 135 #25,395
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 159 #22,798

Geography

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Where Askars 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 Sheffield, Ealing, Barnet, Luton and Cardiff. 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 Sheffield 050 Sheffield
2 Ealing 029 Ealing
3 Barnet 033 Barnet
4 Luton 020 Luton
5 Cardiff 037 Cardiff

Forenames

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First names often paired with Askar

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Askar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Askar 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Askar is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

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

Askar 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

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

Meaning and origin of Askar

The surname Askar has its origins in the Arabic language and can be traced back to the Middle East and North Africa. The name itself is derived from the Arabic word "askar," which means "soldier" or "warrior." This suggests that the name was likely given to individuals who were part of the military or had a history of serving in the armed forces.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Askar can be found in historical documents from the 7th century, during the reign of the Umayyad Caliphate. At that time, the name was associated with individuals who were part of the Caliph's army or held military positions. In fact, the term "askar" was often used to refer to the elite military forces of the Caliphs.

As the Arabic Empire expanded and influenced various regions, the surname Askar spread across different parts of the Middle East and North Africa. It can be found in records from countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Syria, among others. Over time, the name also underwent slight variations in spelling, such as Asker or Askari, depending on the local dialects and languages.

Historically, the name Askar has been associated with several notable individuals. One example is Abu al-Askar, a renowned military commander who served under the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma'mun in the 9th century. Another prominent figure was Askar al-Makki, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist from Mecca who lived in the 12th century.

In the 14th century, during the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, the name Askar was often associated with the military elite known as the Mamluks. One notable figure from this period was Baybars al-Askar, a Mamluk sultan who ruled from 1260 to 1277 and is known for his military campaigns against the Crusaders.

The name Askar can also be found in various historical records and manuscripts from the Ottoman Empire, particularly in regions like Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. One notable figure from this period was Ibrahim Askar Pasha, an Ottoman statesman and governor who lived in the 19th century.

Throughout history, the surname Askar has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including military leaders, scholars, statesmen, and others who were connected to the military or had a history of service. While the name has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has also been adopted and adapted in various regions, reflecting the influence and spread of the Arabic civilization.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Askar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Askar 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. Northamptonshire leads with 2 Askars recorded in 1881 and an index of 110.50x.

County Total Index
Northamptonshire 2 110.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Yarwell in Northamptonshire leads with 2 Askars recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Yarwell 2 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 2

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 Askar households.

Occupation Count
Joiner 1
Retired Inn Keeper 1

FAQ

Askar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Askar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Askar surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Askar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016. That gives Askar a modern rank of #22,798.

What does the Askar surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from the Arabic word "al-askar" meaning "the camp" or "the army."

What does the Askar map show?

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