NameCensus.

UK surname

Askari

A surname derived from the Persian word meaning "soldier" or "warrior."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Elmbridge and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Askari is 169 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

169

2016, ranked #21,884

Peak year

2016

169 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 169 in 2016, ranked #21,884.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Askari surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Askari surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Askari 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
1997 modern 68 #30,810
1998 modern 68 #31,181
1999 modern 73 #30,856
2000 modern 80 #30,139
2001 modern 78 #30,168
2002 modern 97 #28,383
2003 modern 118 #25,146
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 114 #25,837
2006 modern 126 #24,493
2007 modern 131 #24,282
2008 modern 134 #24,249
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 153 #23,175
2011 modern 149 #23,408
2012 modern 157 #22,551
2013 modern 163 #22,342
2014 modern 164 #22,445
2015 modern 161 #22,599
2016 modern 169 #21,884

Geography

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Where Askaris 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Elmbridge and Harrow. 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 Kensington and Chelsea 012 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Elmbridge 016 Elmbridge
3 Kensington and Chelsea 017 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Harrow 009 Harrow
5 Kensington and Chelsea 013 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Askari

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

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

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Askari surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Askari 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 never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Askari is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Askari 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

Askari falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Askari 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 Askari, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Askari

The surname Askari has its origins in the Arabic language, deriving from the word 'askar' which translates to 'soldier' or 'military'. This name is believed to have first emerged in the Middle East, particularly in regions with significant Arab influence during the medieval period.

In the historical context, the term 'askari' was widely used to refer to soldiers or military personnel in various Islamic empires and kingdoms. The surname Askari likely originated as a descriptive name, identifying individuals who were part of the armed forces or had a military occupation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Askari surname can be found in the chronicles of the Mamluk Sultanate, a medieval Muslim empire that ruled over Egypt, Syria, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula from the 13th to the 16th centuries. The Mamluks, who were initially enslaved soldiers of Central Asian and Circassian origin, played a significant role in shaping the political and military landscape of the region.

During the Ottoman Empire, which spanned from the 14th to the early 20th century, the term 'askari' was also commonly used to refer to soldiers or armed guards. This suggests that the Askari surname may have gained further prominence and spread across the territories under Ottoman rule, including parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans.

One notable individual bearing the Askari surname was Abdul Aziz Askari (1858-1921), a prominent Iraqi politician and intellectual who played a crucial role in the Iraqi nationalist movement during the late Ottoman period and the early years of the British Mandate of Mesopotamia.

Another historical figure with the Askari surname was Muhammad Askari (1892-1958), an Iranian military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Iran from 1942 to 1943 during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran.

In the Indian subcontinent, the Askari surname can also be found among Muslim communities, particularly in regions that were once part of the Mughal Empire or other Islamic dynasties. One notable figure was Mirza Askari (1836-1923), an Indian poet and writer who made significant contributions to Urdu literature.

Beyond the Middle East and South Asia, the Askari surname has also spread to other parts of the world, often carried by individuals or families with roots in these regions. For example, Nizamuddin Askari (1932-2023) was a prominent Afghan diplomat and writer who served as the Afghan Ambassador to several countries, including the United States and India.

It is worth noting that the Askari surname has undergone various spellings and variations over time, reflecting regional linguistic influences and pronunciation differences. However, the core meaning and association with military or soldier remain consistent across these variations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Askari surname: questions and answers

How common is the Askari surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 169 in 2016. That gives Askari a modern rank of #21,884.

What does the Askari surname mean?

A surname derived from the Persian word meaning "soldier" or "warrior."

What does the Askari map show?

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