NameCensus.

UK surname

Bakhsh

A surname of Persian origin meaning "generous" or "giving".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Breich Valley, Kingston West and Dumbreck and Pollokshields East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bakhsh is 154 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

148

2016, ranked #23,958

Peak year

2014

154 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016, ranked #23,958.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Bakhsh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bakhsh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bakhsh 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 81 #29,436
1998 modern 80 #29,966
1999 modern 81 #30,037
2000 modern 77 #30,486
2001 modern 83 #29,617
2002 modern 95 #28,666
2003 modern 98 #28,046
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 133 #23,711
2007 modern 135 #23,824
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 142 #23,791
2010 modern 149 #23,598
2011 modern 140 #24,395
2012 modern 136 #24,830
2013 modern 149 #23,765
2014 modern 154 #23,439
2015 modern 152 #23,507
2016 modern 148 #23,958

Geography

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Where Bakhshs 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 Breich Valley, Kingston West and Dumbreck, Pollokshields East, Wokingham and Finnieston and Kelvinhaugh. 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 Breich Valley West Lothian
2 Kingston West and Dumbreck Glasgow City
3 Pollokshields East Glasgow City
4 Wokingham 008 Wokingham
5 Finnieston and Kelvinhaugh Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bakhsh

These lists show first names that appear often with the Bakhsh surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bakhsh

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bakhsh is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bakhsh 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

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

Meaning and origin of Bakhsh

The surname BAKHSH has its origins in the Persian language and is derived from the Persian word "bakhsh," which means "portion" or "share." This surname is primarily found in regions with historical Persian influence, such as Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname BAKHSH can be traced back to the medieval period in Persia (modern-day Iran). During this time, it was common for surnames to be derived from occupations, personal characteristics, or patronymics. The name BAKHSH likely originated as a reference to an individual's role in land distribution or taxation.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the surname BAKHSH was Mirza Muhammad Bakhsh, a Persian poet and scholar who lived in the 16th century. He was renowned for his contributions to Persian literature and his works on Islamic theology.

Another notable figure was Syed Ahmad Bakhsh, a 17th-century Sufi scholar and spiritual leader from present-day Pakistan. He played a significant role in spreading Islamic teachings and establishing religious institutions in the region.

In the 19th century, Maulvi Hafiz Muhammad Bakhsh was a prominent Muslim scholar and theologian from British India. He was known for his extensive knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and his efforts to promote education among the Muslim community.

During the same period, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Bakhsh Sahib was a prominent Muslim philosopher, educator, and social reformer. He played a pivotal role in the revival of Islamic principles and the promotion of modern education among Muslims in British India.

Moving into the 20th century, Abul Kalam Bakhsh was a renowned Bengali poet and writer from present-day Bangladesh. His literary works, particularly his poetry, made significant contributions to Bengali literature and culture.

It is worth noting that while the surname BAKHSH has its roots in Persia, it has spread to various regions due to migration, cultural exchange, and historical events. As a result, individuals bearing this surname can be found in different parts of the world, including South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Bakhsh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Bakhsh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 148 in 2016. That gives Bakhsh a modern rank of #23,958.

What does the Bakhsh surname mean?

A surname of Persian origin meaning "generous" or "giving".

What does the Bakhsh map show?

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