NameCensus.

UK surname

Chahil

A surname indicating a person from the Chahal or Chehil area of Punjab, India.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chahil is 117 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

84

2016, ranked #32,726

Peak year

2010

117 bearers

Map years

1

2006 to 2006

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 84 in 2016, ranked #32,726.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Chahil surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chahil surname density by area, 2006 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chahil 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 1 #33,412
1997 modern 67 #30,915
1998 modern 66 #31,387
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 73 #30,881
2001 modern 75 #30,481
2002 modern 85 #29,867
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 97 #28,455
2005 modern 97 #28,485
2006 modern 101 #28,125
2007 modern 104 #28,020
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 112 #27,685
2010 modern 117 #27,557
2011 modern 106 #29,157
2012 modern 90 #31,790
2013 modern 94 #31,656
2014 modern 92 #32,132
2015 modern 89 #32,325
2016 modern 84 #32,726

Geography

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Where Chahils 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 Redbridge, Ealing, Waltham Forest and Sandwell. 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 Redbridge 036 Redbridge
2 Ealing 023 Ealing
3 Waltham Forest 024 Waltham Forest
4 Redbridge 035 Redbridge
5 Sandwell 028 Sandwell

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chahil

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

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

Chahil 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

Chahil falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Chahil is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Chahil

The surname Chahil originated in India, specifically in the state of Punjab. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Chahal," which means "movement" or "wandering." The name likely originated during the medieval period when people began adopting surnames based on their occupations, locations, or personal characteristics.

The Chahil surname is predominantly found in the Jat community, which is an agricultural and pastoral community spread across northern India and Pakistan. The Jats have a rich history dating back to the ancient times, and many of their surnames are derived from their clan names or village names.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Chahil surname can be found in the Mughal era records from the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period, the Jats played a significant role in the Mughal army and administration, and many Chahil individuals held prominent positions.

The Chahil surname has also been associated with several historical figures. One notable example is Bhai Mani Singh Chahil (1644-1737), a prominent Sikh scholar and warrior who played a crucial role in the compilation of the Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of the Sikh religion.

Another famous bearer of the Chahil surname was Sardar Bahadur Sir Jogendra Singh Chahil (1858-1938), an Indian civil servant and politician who served as a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council and played a key role in the Indian independence movement.

In the literary world, Jaswant Singh Chahil (1932-2007) was a renowned Punjabi poet and writer who received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Punjabi literature.

Historically, the Chahil surname has also been associated with various villages and towns in Punjab. For instance, the village of Chahil Kalan in the Ludhiana district of Punjab was likely named after the Chahil clan or vice versa.

Another notable figure was Baba Khushal Singh Chahil (1829-1929), a revered spiritual leader and social reformer who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the underprivileged and promote education in Punjab.

Overall, the surname Chahil has a rich historical legacy rooted in the culture and traditions of the Jat community in Punjab. It has been borne by numerous notable individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Chahil surname: questions and answers

How common is the Chahil surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 84 in 2016. That gives Chahil a modern rank of #32,726.

What does the Chahil surname mean?

A surname indicating a person from the Chahal or Chehil area of Punjab, India.

What does the Chahil map show?

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