UK surname

Bisla

A place-name surname likely derived from Bisla, a village in Punjab, India.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Gloucestershire, Wolverhampton and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bisla is 149 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2014

149 bearers

Map years

2006 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Map

Bisla surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bisla surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Bisla 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	110	#25,529
1998	modern	94	#28,435
1999	modern	105	#27,035
2000	modern	114	#25,717
2001	modern	113	#25,489
2002	modern	123	#24,735
2003	modern	117	#25,282
2004	modern	130	#23,902
2005	modern	136	#23,205
2006	modern	139	#23,044
2007	modern	140	#23,231
2008	modern	144	#23,037
2009	modern	148	#23,141
2010	modern	141	#24,460
2011	modern	148	#23,520
2012	modern	137	#24,731
2013	modern	144	#24,323
2014	modern	149	#23,969
2015	modern	139	#24,956
2016	modern	131	#26,004

Geography

Where Bislas 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 South Gloucestershire, Wolverhampton and King's Lynn and West Norfolk. 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	South Gloucestershire 017	South Gloucestershire
2	Wolverhampton 030	Wolverhampton
3	King's Lynn and West Norfolk 011	King's Lynn and West Norfolk
4	Wolverhampton 035	Wolverhampton
5	Wolverhampton 013	Wolverhampton

Forenames

First names often paired with Bisla

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Baljit Sarbjit Daljit Narinder Manjit Shani Kalvinder Jaswinder Perminder Parmjit

Recent male names

Sandeep Ravinder Tarsem Sundeep Harminder Harjinder Jaswant Rakesh Ajit Gurbachan

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Bisla

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Bisla surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Bisla household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Bisla 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

Bisla 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

Bisla falls in decile 3 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 Bisla 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: Asian - Indian

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Bisla

The surname Bisla is thought to have originated from the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is believed to have roots in the Sanskrit language, and its meaning is often associated with bravery or courage.

One theory suggests that the name Bisla may have derived from the ancient Sanskrit word 'Vishala,' which translates to 'expansive' or 'vast.' This could indicate that the surname was initially given to individuals who possessed a broad or expansive personality or character.

Another possible origin traces the name back to the Sanskrit word 'Vishal,' meaning 'large' or 'big.' This could imply that the surname was initially bestowed upon those with a physically imposing stature or a commanding presence.

Historical records from the medieval period in India mention individuals bearing the name Bisla, indicating its longstanding existence in the region. However, the earliest documented instances of the surname are difficult to pinpoint with certainty.

One of the earliest known references to the name Bisla can be found in the writings of the 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar's court historian, Abul Fazl. He mentioned a nobleman named Bisla Khan, who served as a high-ranking military commander during Akbar's reign (1556-1605).

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Bisla Singh emerged as a respected leader and warrior in the Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839). Bisla Singh's bravery and military prowess were widely recognized, lending further credence to the potential connection between the name Bisla and the qualities of courage and strength.

During the British colonial era in India, several individuals with the surname Bisla held notable positions in various fields. One such person was Bisla Ram (1853-1920), a renowned poet and writer who contributed significantly to the literary landscape of the Punjab region.

Another noteworthy individual was Bisla Chand (1879-1954), a prominent lawyer and social reformer who advocated for the rights of underprivileged communities and played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement.

In more recent times, Bisla Butail (1923-2000) was a celebrated artist and sculptor from Punjab, known for his unique style and contributions to the art world.

While the surname Bisla has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical and cultural significance of this name remains deeply rooted in the rich traditions of the Punjab region and the Sanskrit language.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Bisla surname: questions and answers

How common is the Bisla surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Bisla a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Bisla surname mean?