NameCensus.

UK surname

Dabhi

A surname originating from Gujarat, India, referring to the Dabhi community.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Preston and Coventry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dabhi is 167 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

152

2016, ranked #23,516

Peak year

2011

167 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016, ranked #23,516.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Dabhi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dabhi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dabhi 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
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1997 modern 96 #27,490
1998 modern 103 #27,141
1999 modern 107 #26,754
2000 modern 110 #26,248
2001 modern 112 #25,644
2002 modern 119 #25,231
2003 modern 125 #24,265
2004 modern 127 #24,224
2005 modern 135 #23,297
2006 modern 135 #23,486
2007 modern 143 #22,924
2008 modern 147 #22,720
2009 modern 156 #22,351
2010 modern 163 #22,205
2011 modern 167 #21,642
2012 modern 161 #22,157
2013 modern 153 #23,314
2014 modern 154 #23,439
2015 modern 156 #23,106
2016 modern 152 #23,516

Geography

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Where Dabhis 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 Leicester, Preston and Coventry. 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 Leicester 009 Leicester
2 Preston 014 Preston
3 Leicester 021 Leicester
4 Leicester 019 Leicester
5 Coventry 024 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dabhi

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

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dabhi is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

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

Dabhi 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

Dabhi 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 Dabhi 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 Dabhi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Dabhi

The surname DABHI is of Indian origin, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated in the state of Gujarat, particularly in the regions around the cities of Bhavnagar and Amreli. The name is derived from the Gujarati word "dabhi," which refers to a small agricultural settlement or hamlet.

Historical records suggest that the DABHI surname first appeared in the 13th century, during the reign of the Vaghela dynasty in Gujarat. One of the earliest known references is found in a land grant document from the year 1275, which mentions a village called "Dabhipura" (literally meaning "the hamlet of the Dabhis").

In the 16th century, the DABHI surname gained prominence when a local chieftain named Ramsang DABHI played a significant role in the resistance against the Mughal invasion of Gujarat. His exploits were documented in several contemporary chronicles, including the "Mirat-i-Ahmadi" written by Ali Muhammad Khan.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the DABHI surname was Viramdev DABHI, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in the 15th century. His literary works, primarily composed in the Gujarati language, have been preserved and studied by scholars over the centuries.

Another notable figure was Ambalal DABHI (1853-1923), a prominent social reformer and educationist from Bhavnagar. He founded several educational institutions and played a crucial role in promoting education among the underprivileged communities of Gujarat.

Kantilal DABHI (1872-1945) was a respected lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court from 1934 to 1937. His legal acumen and commitment to justice were widely recognized during his lifetime.

In the field of literature, Govardhanram DABHI (1889-1964) was a celebrated Gujarati writer and poet. His works, which explored themes of social justice and human values, earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak award.

Lastly, Karsandas DABHI (1911-1989) was a renowned archaeologist and historian who made significant contributions to the study of ancient Indian civilizations. His research on the Indus Valley Civilization and his excavations at various sites in Gujarat and Rajasthan brought him international recognition.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dabhi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dabhi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016. That gives Dabhi a modern rank of #23,516.

What does the Dabhi surname mean?

A surname originating from Gujarat, India, referring to the Dabhi community.

What does the Dabhi map show?

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