NameCensus.

UK surname

Deen

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "religion" or "faith," derived from the Arabic word "din."

In the 1881 census there were 122 people recorded with the Deen surname, ranking it #17,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 866, ranked #6,480, up from #17,602 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Nicholas and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sandwell, Newport and Slough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Deen is 866 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 609.8%.

1881 census count

122

Ranked #17,602

Modern count

866

2016, ranked #6,480

Peak year

2016

866 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Deen had 122 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,602 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 866 in 2016, ranked #6,480.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 227 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Deen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Deen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Deen 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 125 #14,700
1861 historical 227 #10,749
1881 historical 122 #17,602
1891 historical 144 #18,842
1901 historical 114 #21,166
1911 historical 99 #22,850
1997 modern 455 #9,985
1998 modern 484 #9,841
1999 modern 501 #9,648
2000 modern 506 #9,541
2001 modern 514 #9,267
2002 modern 543 #9,059
2003 modern 594 #8,391
2004 modern 617 #8,178
2005 modern 634 #7,932
2006 modern 655 #7,756
2007 modern 695 #7,467
2008 modern 722 #7,305
2009 modern 744 #7,297
2010 modern 790 #7,101
2011 modern 801 #6,944
2012 modern 781 #6,993
2013 modern 812 #6,860
2014 modern 835 #6,751
2015 modern 845 #6,646
2016 modern 866 #6,480

Geography

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Where Deens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), St Nicholas, London parishes, Liverpool and Chiselhurst, Foots Cray. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sandwell, Newport, Slough, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Lewisham. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 St Nicholas Herefordshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Chiselhurst, Foots Cray Kent

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sandwell 032 Sandwell
2 Newport 013 Newport
3 Slough 005 Slough
4 Nuneaton and Bedworth 006 Nuneaton and Bedworth
5 Lewisham 005 Lewisham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Deen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Deen

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Deen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Deen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Deen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Deen 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

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

Meaning and origin of Deen

The surname Deen has its origins in the Arabic language, specifically from the word "deen" which means "religion" or "way of life". The name likely emerged in regions with significant Muslim populations, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South Asia.

The earliest known records of the Deen surname can be traced back to the 7th century, during the Islamic Golden Age. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by individuals who were deeply involved in religious or scholarly pursuits, as a way to reflect their dedication to their faith.

One of the earliest notable figures with the surname Deen was Al-Ghazali (1058-1111), a renowned Persian philosopher, theologian, and jurist. His seminal work, "The Incoherence of the Philosophers," had a profound impact on Islamic philosophy and theology.

In the 12th century, the Deen surname appeared in several historical manuscripts from the Abbasid Caliphate, indicating its presence among scholars and religious leaders of that era. One such figure was Ibn Rushd (1126-1198), better known as Averroes in the West, a celebrated philosopher and jurist who made significant contributions to Islamic philosophy and jurisprudence.

During the Ottoman Empire, the Deen surname gained prominence among Turkish scholars and bureaucrats. Notably, Mustafa Deen (1551-1618) was a renowned Ottoman historian and chronicler, best known for his work "The History of the Ottoman Sultans."

In the Indian subcontinent, the Deen surname can be traced back to the Mughal Empire, where it was adopted by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, poets, and courtiers. One prominent figure was Amir Khusrau Deen (1253-1325), a celebrated Sufi poet, scholar, and musician, often regarded as the "father of Qawwali" (a form of Sufi devotional music).

Another notable figure with the Deen surname was Mullah Shams-ud-Deen (1589-1662), a influential Islamic scholar and theologian from the Mughal Empire, who was known for his contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence and his influential work "The Essence of Islamic Law."

Throughout history, the Deen surname has been associated with individuals from various regions and backgrounds who have made significant contributions to Islamic scholarship, literature, and culture. While the name's roots can be traced back to the Arabic language, it has become a part of diverse cultural traditions and continues to be carried by individuals from different parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Deen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Deen 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. Kent leads with 24 Deens recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.91x.

County Total Index
Kent 24 5.91x
Herefordshire 18 36.89x
Surrey 18 3.10x
Middlesex 11 0.92x
Warwickshire 11 3.67x
Yorkshire 6 0.51x
Staffordshire 5 1.24x
Monmouthshire 4 4.65x
Renfrewshire 4 4.34x
Somerset 4 2.09x
Lancashire 3 0.21x
Cheshire 2 0.76x
Glamorgan 2 0.97x
Hampshire 2 0.82x
Sussex 2 1.00x
Devon 1 0.40x
Dorset 1 1.28x
Hertfordshire 1 1.22x
Midlothian 1 0.63x
Northamptonshire 1 0.89x
Northumberland 1 0.56x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chislehurst in Kent leads with 21 Deens recorded in 1881 and an index of 963.30x.

Place Total Index
Chislehurst 21 963.30x
Hereford St Martin 10 1694.92x
Birmingham 9 9.00x
Kingston On Thames 8 57.43x
Hereford St Nicholas 5 757.58x
Newington 5 11.38x
Southwark St George Martyr 5 20.89x
Bethnal Green London 4 7.74x
Paisley High Church 4 54.50x
Pembridge 3 555.56x
Stoke Upon Trent 3 7.04x
Aston 2 2.42x
Bedwellty 2 13.17x
Eastbourne 2 21.67x
Hulme 2 6.78x
Ramsgate 2 30.17x
St Anne Soho London 2 29.46x
St Woollos 2 20.83x
Taunton St James 2 71.68x
Tranmere 2 20.73x
Abbots Langley 1 81.97x
Armley 1 19.23x
Brandsby Cum Stearsby 1 833.33x
Castleton 1 7.09x
Chard 1 43.10x
Chelsea London 1 2.79x
East Ardsley 1 98.04x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 32.26x
Greenwich 1 5.28x
Idsworth 1 625.00x
Islington London 1 0.87x
Kingstonupon Hull 1 105.26x
Little Oakley 1 2000.00x
Neath 1 23.70x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 1 42.92x
Northington 1 769.23x
Rugeley 1 34.72x
Shipley 1 16.34x
Sowton 1 588.24x
Swansea 1 434.78x
Symondsbury 1 200.00x
Thornaby 1 22.68x
Twickenham 1 19.61x
Wednesfield 1 16.92x
Westminster St Margaret 1 17.42x
Willesden 1 8.91x
Yeovil 1 25.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 7
Sarah 5
Annie 4
Mary 4
Ann 3
Jane 3
Agnes 2
Ellen 2
Margaret 2
Susan 2
Agness 1
Alice 1
Bessie 1
Caroline 1
Constance 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Lear 1
Lily 1
Lizzie 1
N.M. 1
R. 1
R.A. 1
Rebecca 1
Rosey 1
Roxania 1
Sarry 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
William 8
James 5
George 4
Thomas 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Albert 1
Aurther 1
Carolin 1
Edmund 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Even 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Geo. 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
Humphrey 1
J.J. 1
Martin 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1

FAQ

Deen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Deen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 122 people were recorded with the Deen surname. That placed it at #17,602 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Deen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 866 in 2016. That gives Deen a modern rank of #6,480.

What does the Deen surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "religion" or "faith," derived from the Arabic word "din."

What does the Deen map show?

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