NameCensus.

UK surname

Atif

An Arabic surname meaning "merciful" or "kind."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Atif is 334 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

334

2016, ranked #13,640

Peak year

2016

334 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 334 in 2016, ranked #13,640.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Atif surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Atif surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Atif 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 25 #35,261
1998 modern 37 #34,149
1999 modern 35 #34,418
2000 modern 48 #33,288
2001 modern 47 #33,219
2002 modern 75 #30,950
2003 modern 76 #30,883
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 130 #23,848
2006 modern 152 #21,721
2007 modern 188 #19,204
2008 modern 210 #18,052
2009 modern 241 #16,848
2010 modern 260 #16,343
2011 modern 269 #15,800
2012 modern 270 #15,667
2013 modern 305 #14,577
2014 modern 321 #14,150
2015 modern 331 #13,739
2016 modern 334 #13,640

Geography

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Where Atifs 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 Redbridge, Manchester, Law and Kirklees. 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 Redbridge 030 Redbridge
2 Manchester 027 Manchester
3 Manchester 028 Manchester
4 Law Dundee City
5 Kirklees 043 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Atif

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

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Atif is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Atif 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

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

Meaning and origin of Atif

The surname "ATIF" is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabic-speaking regions. Its roots can be traced back to the Arabic word "atif," which means "gentle" or "kind." This suggests that the surname may have initially been a descriptive name given to someone with a gentle or compassionate nature.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "ATIF" date back to the 7th century AD, during the early years of the Islamic era. It is mentioned in several historical manuscripts and records from that time period, indicating its use as a surname among Arab communities.

One notable individual who bore the surname "ATIF" was Abu Bakr al-Atif, a renowned Islamic scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century AD. He was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and is celebrated for his contributions to Arabic literature and poetry.

Another notable figure was Atif al-Din al-Abhari, a Persian philosopher and logician who lived in the 13th century AD. He was born in Abhar, a city in present-day Iran, and was known for his works on logic, metaphysics, and Islamic philosophy.

In the 14th century, there was a prominent Muslim scholar and historian named Atif al-Din al-Shirazi, who hailed from the city of Shiraz in present-day Iran. He authored several influential works on history, theology, and Islamic jurisprudence.

During the 15th century, a famous Arabic poet and writer named Atif al-Din al-Baghdadi lived in Baghdad, Iraq. He is renowned for his contributions to Arabic poetry and literature, and his works are still studied and appreciated today.

In more recent times, one of the most well-known individuals with the surname "ATIF" was Atif Aslam, a Pakistani singer, songwriter, and actor born in 1983. He has gained widespread popularity across South Asia and the Middle East for his contributions to the music industry.

It is worth noting that the surname "ATIF" has also been found in other regions, such as Turkey and parts of Europe, likely due to the spread of Arabic influence and migration over the centuries. However, its origins can be traced back to the Middle East and the Arabic language.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Atif surname: questions and answers

How common is the Atif surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 334 in 2016. That gives Atif a modern rank of #13,640.

What does the Atif surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "merciful" or "kind."

What does the Atif map show?

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