UK surname

Berisha

Albanian surname meaning "shepherd" or "highlander from mountainous regions".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Berisha is 533 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

533

2016, ranked #9,534

Peak year

2016

533 bearers

Map years

2006 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 533 in 2016, ranked #9,534.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Map

Berisha surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Berisha surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Berisha 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	1	#34,674
1997	modern	15	#36,409
1998	modern	19	#36,009
1999	modern	27	#35,224
2000	modern	34	#34,517
2001	modern	35	#34,261
2002	modern	59	#32,468
2003	modern	114	#25,664
2004	modern	157	#21,168
2005	modern	198	#18,279
2006	modern	249	#15,784
2007	modern	295	#14,198
2008	modern	334	#13,142
2009	modern	349	#12,995
2010	modern	415	#11,654
2011	modern	385	#12,195
2012	modern	441	#10,828
2013	modern	506	#9,936
2014	modern	519	#9,818
2015	modern	532	#9,567
2016	modern	533	#9,534

Geography

Where Berishas 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 Westminster and Barnet. 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	Westminster 004	Westminster
2	Westminster 010	Westminster
3	Westminster 009	Westminster
4	Westminster 005	Westminster
5	Barnet 018	Barnet

Forenames

First names often paired with Berisha

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Venera Blerina Valentina Rita Vera Mirela Jane Mandy Leonora Suzana

Recent male names

Besnik Agim Enver Artur Ilir Artan Agron Naim Arjan Arben

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Berisha

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Berisha surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Berisha 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Berisha is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

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

Berisha 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Berisha 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Berisha 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.

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: White - Other

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Berisha

The surname Berisha originates from Albania, with records dating back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Albanian word "Beri," meaning shepherd or herdsman, and the suffix "-sha," which is a common ending for surnames in Albanian. This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who worked as shepherds or came from families involved in pastoral activities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Berisha can be found in the Codex Purpureus Beratinus, a 15th-century manuscript compiled in the city of Berat, Albania. The document mentions several individuals with the surname Berisha, indicating that the name was already established in the region during that time period.

In the 16th century, the Berisha family gained prominence in the region of Dibra, located in northern Albania. Several members of the family held important positions in the local administration and were influential landowners. One notable figure from this era was Mustafa Berisha (1530-1595), who served as the governor of Dibra and played a significant role in the region's affairs.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Berisha name appeared in various historical records and documents from different parts of Albania. For instance, the Berisha family was mentioned in the Ottoman cadastral records (defter) of the Shkodra region, which shed light on their land holdings and economic activities.

In the 19th century, the Berisha surname became associated with several notable figures in Albanian literature and politics. Naim Berisha (1834-1900) was a prominent Albanian writer, poet, and educator who contributed significantly to the development of Albanian literature and the preservation of the Albanian language.

Another influential figure was Sami Berisha (1844-1925), an Albanian politician and activist who played a crucial role in the Albanian National Awakening movement. He advocated for Albanian independence and the creation of an autonomous Albanian state within the Ottoman Empire.

In the 20th century, the Berisha name gained further prominence with figures like Sali Berisha (born 1944), who served as the President of Albania from 1992 to 1997 and played a pivotal role in the country's transition to democracy after the fall of communism.

Other notable individuals with the Berisha surname include Edi Berisha (born 1964), an Albanian economist and politician who served as the Minister of Finance in Albania, and Fatmir Berisha (born 1977), a former professional footballer who played for several clubs in Europe, including Dinamo Zagreb and Malmö FF.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Berisha surname: questions and answers

How common is the Berisha surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 533 in 2016. That gives Berisha a modern rank of #9,534.

What does the Berisha surname mean?