NameCensus.

UK surname

Attar

A surname derived from the Arabic word meaning 'perfumer' or 'seller of perfumes'.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Attar is 134 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

129

2016, ranked #26,270

Peak year

2014

134 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016, ranked #26,270.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Attar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Attar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Attar 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
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 66 #31,038
1998 modern 85 #29,439
1999 modern 90 #29,056
2000 modern 85 #29,598
2001 modern 84 #29,508
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 110 #26,220
2004 modern 120 #25,078
2005 modern 121 #24,947
2006 modern 130 #24,053
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 132 #24,476
2009 modern 130 #25,176
2010 modern 131 #25,656
2011 modern 127 #25,926
2012 modern 119 #27,100
2013 modern 127 #26,452
2014 modern 134 #25,711
2015 modern 132 #25,859
2016 modern 129 #26,270

Geography

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Where Attars 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, Barnet and Chiltern. 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 Barnet 031 Barnet
3 Barnet 014 Barnet
4 Chiltern 013 Chiltern
5 Barnet 037 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Attar

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Attar, 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 Attar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Attar 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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Attar 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

Attar 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

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

Meaning and origin of Attar

The surname Attar is believed to have originated in the Arabian peninsula, likely in the region that is now Saudi Arabia or Yemen. The name is derived from the Arabic word 'attar', which means 'perfumer' or 'one who trades in perfumes and aromatic oils'. The earliest recorded instances of this surname date back to the 7th century AD, during the early years of the Islamic caliphates.

The Attar surname is closely associated with the historic spice trade routes that crisscrossed the Arabian peninsula and connected the region to the Mediterranean, Persia, and the Indian subcontinent. Many families with this surname were involved in the lucrative business of trading aromatic spices, incense, and perfumes sourced from the Arabian deserts and coastal regions.

One of the earliest known individuals with the Attar surname was Al-Kindi, a renowned Arab philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who lived in Basra (present-day Iraq) during the 9th century AD (801-873 AD). Another notable figure was Ibn Abi Usaibia, a Syrian physician and historian from the 13th century (1203-1270 AD), who wrote extensively on the lives of famous Arab physicians and scientists.

In the 14th century, a Persian poet and mystic named Farid ud-Din Attar (1145-1221 AD) gained widespread recognition for his influential works, including the epic poem "The Conference of the Birds". His surname, Attar, reflects his family's occupation as perfumers or spice traders.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over the Middle East and North Africa, the Attar surname was particularly prominent in cities like Damascus, Baghdad, and Cairo, where many families were engaged in the spice trade and the production of aromatic oils and perfumes.

Another notable figure with the Attar surname was Sayyid Ahmad Attar, a renowned 18th-century Sufi scholar and poet from India (1705-1770 AD). His works, which combined Sufi mysticism with poetic expression, had a significant impact on the literary and spiritual traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

Throughout history, the Attar surname has been associated with the rich cultural heritage of the Middle East, particularly in the realms of trade, literature, and spirituality. While the name may have evolved and spread to other regions over time, its origins remain firmly rooted in the Arabian peninsula and the ancient spice trade routes that connected the region to the wider world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Attar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Attar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 129 in 2016. That gives Attar a modern rank of #26,270.

What does the Attar surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word meaning 'perfumer' or 'seller of perfumes'.

What does the Attar map show?

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