NameCensus.

UK surname

Davda

A variant spelling of the Gujarati surname Davda, which denotes hereditary village landowners.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Davda is 515 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

495

2016, ranked #10,052

Peak year

2014

515 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016, ranked #10,052.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Davda surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Davda surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Davda 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 368 #11,719
1998 modern 395 #11,452
1999 modern 404 #11,361
2000 modern 431 #10,785
2001 modern 418 #10,860
2002 modern 451 #10,429
2003 modern 477 #9,815
2004 modern 490 #9,639
2005 modern 490 #9,577
2006 modern 482 #9,737
2007 modern 484 #9,796
2008 modern 489 #9,808
2009 modern 482 #10,131
2010 modern 510 #9,899
2011 modern 507 #9,854
2012 modern 489 #10,039
2013 modern 508 #9,902
2014 modern 515 #9,872
2015 modern 497 #10,046
2016 modern 495 #10,052

Geography

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Where Davdas 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, Brent and Oadby and Wigston. 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 006 Leicester
2 Leicester 005 Leicester
3 Brent 003 Brent
4 Leicester 007 Leicester
5 Oadby and Wigston 003 Oadby and Wigston

Forenames

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First names often paired with Davda

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

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Davda surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Davda household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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, Davda 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

Davda 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

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

Meaning and origin of Davda

The surname DAVDA is of Indian origin, originating in the state of Gujarat in western India. This name is derived from the Sanskrit word 'davda', which means 'a mound of earth' or 'a small hill'. It is believed that the surname was originally used to identify families who lived near or on small hillocks or mounds.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname DAVDA can be traced back to the 16th century in various historical records and manuscripts from the region. One notable reference is found in the 'Ain-i-Akbari', a 16th-century document written during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This document mentions a village named 'Davda' in the Surat district of Gujarat, suggesting that the surname may have originated from this location.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the DAVDA surname was predominantly found in the regions of Surat, Navsari, and Valsad in Gujarat. Several historical documents from this period, such as land records and tax registers, contain references to individuals bearing the DAVDA surname.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname DAVDA was Govind Davda, a prominent merchant and trader who lived in the city of Surat during the late 16th century. He was known for his extensive trade networks and involvement in the spice trade with European traders.

Another notable figure was Ranchod Davda, a wealthy landowner and philanthropist who lived in the 18th century. He was responsible for the construction of several temples and educational institutions in the Navsari region, which bear his name to this day.

In the 19th century, the DAVDA surname gained prominence with the rise of Kala Davda, a renowned scholar and poet from Valsad. His literary works, particularly his contributions to Gujarati literature, earned him widespread recognition and acclaim.

Kantilal Davda, born in 1879, was a prominent social reformer and educator who established several schools and educational institutions in Surat and neighboring areas. He was also an active advocate for women's education and played a crucial role in promoting literacy in the region.

Hasmukh Davda, born in 1924, was a renowned artist and painter from Gujarat. His works, which often depicted rural life and landscapes, have been widely exhibited and are part of several prestigious collections.

While the DAVDA surname has its roots in Gujarat, over time, individuals with this surname have settled in various parts of India and abroad, contributing to diverse fields and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Davda surname: questions and answers

How common is the Davda surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016. That gives Davda a modern rank of #10,052.

What does the Davda surname mean?

A variant spelling of the Gujarati surname Davda, which denotes hereditary village landowners.

What does the Davda map show?

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