NameCensus.

UK surname

Darji

An occupational surname originating from India referring to a tailor.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Darji is 217 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

192

2016, ranked #20,118

Peak year

2012

217 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016, ranked #20,118.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Darji surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Darji surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Darji 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 118 #24,423
1998 modern 108 #26,417
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 127 #23,781
2002 modern 127 #24,267
2003 modern 130 #23,672
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 136 #23,205
2006 modern 154 #21,576
2007 modern 165 #20,893
2008 modern 180 #19,946
2009 modern 193 #19,463
2010 modern 210 #18,836
2011 modern 216 #18,321
2012 modern 217 #18,184
2013 modern 197 #19,725
2014 modern 199 #19,775
2015 modern 191 #20,205
2016 modern 192 #20,118

Geography

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Where Darjis 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, Oadby and Wigston, Barnet and Hounslow. 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 010 Leicester
2 Oadby and Wigston 003 Oadby and Wigston
3 Barnet 036 Barnet
4 Leicester 006 Leicester
5 Hounslow 019 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Darji

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Darji

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

Darji 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

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

Meaning and origin of Darji

The surname Darji originated in India, specifically in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Persian word "darzi," meaning "tailor" or "seamster." This suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals who worked as tailors or engaged in sewing and garment-making professions.

Historically, the name Darji can be traced back to records from the 13th century, when it appeared in various administrative documents and trade registers of the Delhi Sultanate. During this time, the name was often spelled as "Darzee" or "Darzi," reflecting the influence of Persian and Arabic languages on the Indian subcontinent.

One of the earliest known references to the name Darji can be found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative manual commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text mentions several individuals bearing the surname Darji, who held positions as tailors and garment makers in the imperial court.

In the 17th century, the name Darji gained prominence among the skilled artisans and textile workers in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which was renowned for its textile industry. During this period, the Darji community established itself as a distinct caste or occupational group, often associated with tailoring and garment production.

Notable individuals with the surname Darji throughout history include Naranji Darji, a renowned tailor and textile designer who lived in Ahmedabad during the late 16th century. His intricate designs and embroidery work were highly sought after by the Mughal nobility.

Another prominent figure was Viram Darji, a skilled tailor and entrepreneur from Rajasthan, who established a successful textile business in the early 19th century. His enterprise played a crucial role in reviving traditional textile techniques and promoting the local garment industry.

In the 20th century, Jayantilal Darji, a social reformer and activist from Gujarat, gained recognition for his efforts in promoting education and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, including the Darji caste.

Dhiren Darji, born in 1945, was a celebrated fashion designer and pioneer of contemporary Indian couture. His innovative designs blended traditional Indian textiles and techniques with modern aesthetics, earning him widespread acclaim both nationally and internationally.

It is worth noting that while the surname Darji has its roots in the tailoring profession, over time, individuals bearing this name have diversified into various occupations and fields, reflecting the evolving socio-economic dynamics of Indian society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Darji surname: questions and answers

How common is the Darji surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016. That gives Darji a modern rank of #20,118.

What does the Darji surname mean?

An occupational surname originating from India referring to a tailor.

What does the Darji map show?

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