NameCensus.

UK surname

Cassim

An occupational surname for a metal worker or dealer in brass.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Cassim surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 190, ranked #20,262, up from #32,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gwynedd, Gloucester and Blackburn with Darwen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cassim is 190 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2614.3%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

190

2016, ranked #20,262

Peak year

2016

190 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cassim had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016, ranked #20,262.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Cassim surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cassim surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cassim 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
1851 historical 2 #33,133
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 110 #25,529
1998 modern 131 #23,495
1999 modern 138 #22,983
2000 modern 142 #22,544
2001 modern 143 #22,133
2002 modern 149 #22,001
2003 modern 159 #20,881
2004 modern 169 #20,206
2005 modern 169 #20,153
2006 modern 174 #19,921
2007 modern 175 #20,090
2008 modern 170 #20,672
2009 modern 183 #20,135
2010 modern 188 #20,235
2011 modern 179 #20,732
2012 modern 167 #21,598
2013 modern 182 #20,795
2014 modern 180 #21,115
2015 modern 183 #20,786
2016 modern 190 #20,262

Geography

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Where Cassims 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 Gwynedd, Gloucester, Blackburn with Darwen, Redbridge and Sheffield. 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 Gwynedd 012 Gwynedd
2 Gloucester 005 Gloucester
3 Blackburn with Darwen 003 Blackburn with Darwen
4 Redbridge 030 Redbridge
5 Sheffield 059 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cassim

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

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Cassim is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Cassim 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

Cassim 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Cassim 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Cassim

The surname Cassim originated in the Arab world, with roots dating back to the 7th century AD. It is believed to be derived from the ancient Arabic word "Qasim," meaning "distributor" or "divider." This name was prominent among the early Islamic communities in the Middle East and North Africa.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cassim can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab historian and geographer, Al-Masudi, who lived in the 10th century. He mentioned a prominent scholar and philosopher named Abu Bakr al-Qasim, who lived in the city of Kufa (present-day Iraq) during the 8th century.

During the Middle Ages, the name Cassim appeared in various historical records across the Islamic world. In the 12th century, a famous poet and writer named Abul-Qasim al-Andalusi hailed from the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal). His literary works were highly influential during the Golden Age of Islamic culture in Andalusia.

As the Islamic empires expanded, the name Cassim spread to other regions, including parts of Asia and Africa. One notable figure was Sheik Abul Qasim Mahmud, a Sufi mystic and scholar who lived in present-day Afghanistan during the 12th century. His teachings and writings on Islamic philosophy and spirituality had a profound impact on the region.

In the 16th century, a prominent Ottoman statesman and historian named Mustafa Qasim Efendi served as the chief scribe (Reisülküttab) of the Ottoman Empire. His chronicles and historical accounts provide valuable insights into the Ottoman court and administration during that period.

Another significant figure was Mirza Qasim Khan, an Indian nobleman and military leader who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. He served as the governor of several provinces and was renowned for his leadership and administrative skills.

Over the centuries, the name Cassim has been associated with various place names and locations across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. For instance, the city of Qasim in modern-day Saudi Arabia and the Qasim region in central Iran are believed to have derived their names from this ancient surname.

While the spelling and pronunciation of the name may have varied slightly across different cultures and regions, the essence of its meaning – "distributor" or "divider" – has remained consistent throughout history, reflecting the influential roles played by many individuals bearing this surname in various fields, from literature and philosophy to governance and military affairs.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cassim families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cassim surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Essex leads with 4 Cassims recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.76x.

County Total Index
Essex 4 29.76x
Kent 1 4.31x
Middlesex 1 1.47x
Yorkshire 1 1.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barking in Essex leads with 3 Cassims recorded in 1881 and an index of 769.23x.

Place Total Index
Barking 3 769.23x
East Ham 1 400.00x
Ecclesfield 1 204.08x
Margate St John Baptist 1 232.56x
Westminster St James 1 142.86x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cassim surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Eliza 1
Mary 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Cassim surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Arthur 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Cassim households.

FAQ

Cassim surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cassim surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Cassim surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cassim surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 190 in 2016. That gives Cassim a modern rank of #20,262.

What does the Cassim surname mean?

An occupational surname for a metal worker or dealer in brass.

What does the Cassim map show?

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