NameCensus.

UK surname

Bhamra

A surname of Indian origins meaning a house of brambles or thorns.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bhamra is 1,106 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,044

2016, ranked #5,589

Peak year

2011

1,106 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,044 in 2016, ranked #5,589.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Bhamra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bhamra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bhamra 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
1997 modern 786 #6,637
1998 modern 829 #6,567
1999 modern 860 #6,423
2000 modern 892 #6,215
2001 modern 884 #6,157
2002 modern 940 #5,986
2003 modern 963 #5,776
2004 modern 962 #5,785
2005 modern 968 #5,679
2006 modern 985 #5,624
2007 modern 989 #5,657
2008 modern 1,003 #5,639
2009 modern 1,049 #5,554
2010 modern 1,105 #5,415
2011 modern 1,106 #5,347
2012 modern 1,029 #5,601
2013 modern 1,052 #5,597
2014 modern 1,047 #5,643
2015 modern 1,046 #5,594
2016 modern 1,044 #5,589

Geography

Back to top

Where Bhamras 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, Redbridge and Birmingham. 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 023 Ealing
2 Ealing 017 Ealing
3 Ealing 037 Ealing
4 Redbridge 030 Redbridge
5 Birmingham 097 Birmingham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bhamra

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bhamra

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Bhamra is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Bhamra 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

Bhamra falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bhamra 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 Bhamra, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bhamra

The surname Bhamra has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is believed to have emerged around the 16th century, when surnames were becoming more common among various communities. The name Bhamra is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhamri," which means "a bee." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have been involved in activities related to beekeeping or honey production.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Bhamra can be found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text contains details about the revenue system and the social and economic conditions of the Mughal Empire. The presence of the name Bhamra in this document indicates that individuals bearing this surname were part of the population during the Mughal era.

In the 18th century, the name Bhamra appeared in several local land records and administrative documents in the Punjab region. This suggests that the Bhamra families had established themselves as landowners or influential members of their respective communities during this period. Some of these records also mention variations in the spelling, such as "Bhamrah" or "Bhamraa," reflecting regional linguistic variations.

One notable individual with the surname Bhamra was Bhai Taru Singh Bhamra, a prominent Sikh warrior and military leader who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He played a significant role in the defense of the Sikh community during the turbulent times of the Mughal-Sikh conflicts. Another prominent figure was Sardar Harbans Singh Bhamra, a renowned scholar and historian from the 19th century, who authored several works on Sikh history and literature.

In the 20th century, the Bhamra surname gained international recognition through the achievements of individuals like Bhupen Bhamra, an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Kathak dance. Another notable individual was Daljit Bhamra, a British-Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Bhamra Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities through education and skill development.

Throughout its history, the surname Bhamra has been associated with various professions, including agriculture, military service, academia, and the arts. The name's connection to the word "Bhamri" (bee) has also led to its association with diligence, hard work, and a strong sense of community, reflecting the values and traditions of the regions where it originated.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Bhamra surname: questions and answers

How common is the Bhamra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,044 in 2016. That gives Bhamra a modern rank of #5,589.

What does the Bhamra surname mean?

A surname of Indian origins meaning a house of brambles or thorns.

What does the Bhamra map show?

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