NameCensus.

UK surname

Begom

A surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a nickname or place name.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Oldham, Tower Hamlets and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Begom is 188 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

156

2016, ranked #23,098

Peak year

2002

188 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 156 in 2016, ranked #23,098.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Begom surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Begom surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Begom 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 1 #34,435
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 171 #19,438
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 165 #20,535
2000 modern 174 #19,829
2001 modern 166 #20,129
2002 modern 188 #19,012
2003 modern 170 #20,023
2004 modern 174 #19,871
2005 modern 177 #19,598
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 185 #19,402
2008 modern 187 #19,465
2009 modern 177 #20,560
2010 modern 169 #21,652
2011 modern 163 #21,983
2012 modern 148 #23,457
2013 modern 153 #23,314
2014 modern 164 #22,445
2015 modern 161 #22,599
2016 modern 156 #23,098

Geography

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Where Begoms 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 Oldham, Tower Hamlets and Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Oldham 016 Oldham
2 Tower Hamlets 015 Tower Hamlets
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 029 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Tower Hamlets 008 Tower Hamlets
5 Tower Hamlets 013 Tower Hamlets

Forenames

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First names often paired with Begom

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Begom is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

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

Begom 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

Begom 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 Begom is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
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 Begom, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Begom

The surname BEGOM is of Indian origin, tracing its roots back to the 15th century in the northern regions of the country. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhagavat," which means "Lord" or "God." This name was likely given to individuals who held high religious or spiritual positions in their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BEGOM surname can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text mentions a noble family bearing the name BEGOM who held significant influence in the region of present-day Uttar Pradesh.

During the reign of the Mughal Empire, the BEGOM name gained further prominence. In the 17th century, a prominent figure named Mirza Qasim Begom served as a high-ranking military commander under Emperor Shah Jahan. His contributions to the imperial forces were well-documented in historical records of that era.

In the 18th century, the BEGOM surname appeared in various literary works and manuscripts, particularly those associated with Sufi poetry and mysticism. One notable figure was Mirza Rafi Begom, a renowned poet and spiritual leader who lived from 1720 to 1795. His poetic works were widely acclaimed and have been preserved in various collections.

Another significant bearer of the BEGOM name was Begum Samru, also known as Zeb-un-Nissa (1753-1836), a influential figure in the late Mughal era. She was a skilled military leader and ruler who established her own principality in the region of present-day Uttar Pradesh. Her legacy as a powerful and independent woman has been widely documented in historical accounts.

In the 19th century, the BEGOM surname continued to be associated with notable individuals in various fields. One such figure was Mirza Asadullah Khan Begom (1835-1912), a prominent scholar and writer who made significant contributions to Urdu literature and Islamic studies.

Throughout its history, the BEGOM surname has been closely tied to its Indian origins and has been borne by individuals of religious, literary, and political significance. While the name may have evolved in its spellings and pronunciations over time, its connection to the ancient Sanskrit roots and the cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent remains strong.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Begom surname: questions and answers

How common is the Begom surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 156 in 2016. That gives Begom a modern rank of #23,098.

What does the Begom surname mean?

A surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a nickname or place name.

What does the Begom map show?

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