NameCensus.

UK surname

Beharry

An Indian surname meaning those who spread light or carry lanterns.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Haringey and Sunderland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beharry is 161 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

161

2016, ranked #22,606

Peak year

2016

161 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016, ranked #22,606.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Beharry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Beharry surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beharry 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
1997 modern 121 #24,019
1998 modern 133 #23,308
1999 modern 132 #23,602
2000 modern 126 #24,220
2001 modern 125 #24,011
2002 modern 130 #23,903
2003 modern 138 #22,823
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 149 #21,866
2006 modern 143 #22,619
2007 modern 146 #22,596
2008 modern 151 #22,323
2009 modern 151 #22,816
2010 modern 158 #22,692
2011 modern 153 #22,996
2012 modern 144 #23,902
2013 modern 151 #23,529
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 157 #22,997
2016 modern 161 #22,606

Geography

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Where Beharrys 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 Ealing, Haringey and Sunderland. 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 Ealing 021 Ealing
2 Ealing 010 Ealing
3 Ealing 033 Ealing
4 Haringey 036 Haringey
5 Sunderland 011 Sunderland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beharry

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

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Beharry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Beharry household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Beharry 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

Beharry 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

Beharry falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beharry 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
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Beharry, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Beharry

The surname Beharry is believed to have originated in India, specifically from the northern regions of the country. It is likely derived from the Sanskrit word "bahura," which means "outsider" or "stranger." This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals or families who migrated from one region to another within India or possibly to those who came from outside the country.

The earliest known records of the Beharry surname date back to the late 16th century, when it appeared in various administrative documents and records maintained by the Mughal Empire, which ruled over a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent at the time. Some of these records mention individuals with variations of the name, such as Beharee, Behari, and Behary.

During the British colonial era in India, the Beharry surname became more widespread and appeared in various official documents and records maintained by the British administration. One notable individual from this period was Rajah Ram Beharry, a wealthy landowner and philanthropist who lived in the late 19th century and made significant contributions to education and social welfare in his region.

As Indian migration to other parts of the world increased in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Beharry surname spread to various countries, particularly those with significant Indian diaspora populations. In the Caribbean region, for instance, there are several notable individuals with the Beharry surname, including:

1. Sham Beharry (1908-1985), a prominent lawyer and politician in Trinidad and Tobago. 2. Anand Beharry (1946-2009), a renowned artist and sculptor from Guyana. 3. Davika Beharry (born 1980), a Trinidadian-Canadian actress and model.

In other parts of the world, individuals with the Beharry surname have also made significant contributions in various fields. For example:

4. Anand Satyanand Beharry (born 1944), a former Governor-General of New Zealand and the first person of Indian descent to hold the position. 5. Vishram Beharry (1903-1978), a prominent businessman and philanthropist in Fiji.

While the Beharry surname has its roots in India, it has since become a part of the cultural fabric in many parts of the world, reflecting the diverse and far-reaching impact of Indian migration and diaspora communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Beharry surname: questions and answers

How common is the Beharry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 161 in 2016. That gives Beharry a modern rank of #22,606.

What does the Beharry surname mean?

An Indian surname meaning those who spread light or carry lanterns.

What does the Beharry map show?

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