NameCensus.

UK surname

Demir

A Turkish surname meaning "iron" or "steel", potentially referring to an occupation involving metal work.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hackney, Enfield and Haringey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Demir is 826 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

826

2016, ranked #6,731

Peak year

2016

826 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 826 in 2016, ranked #6,731.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 14 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Demir surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Demir surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Demir 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
1901 historical 14 #32,506
1997 modern 124 #23,669
1998 modern 146 #22,031
1999 modern 159 #21,030
2000 modern 197 #18,384
2001 modern 199 #17,996
2002 modern 254 #15,641
2003 modern 304 #13,685
2004 modern 347 #12,516
2005 modern 422 #10,739
2006 modern 461 #10,054
2007 modern 499 #9,574
2008 modern 549 #8,978
2009 modern 607 #8,517
2010 modern 694 #7,830
2011 modern 717 #7,557
2012 modern 754 #7,193
2013 modern 797 #6,985
2014 modern 822 #6,826
2015 modern 815 #6,825
2016 modern 826 #6,731

Geography

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Where Demirs 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 Hackney, Enfield and Haringey. 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 Hackney 024 Hackney
2 Enfield 030 Enfield
3 Enfield 006 Enfield
4 Haringey 005 Haringey
5 Enfield 031 Enfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Demir

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

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Demir is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Demir 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

Demir falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Demir 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Demir

The surname DEMIR is of Turkish origin, dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Turkish word "demir," which means "iron" or "steel." The name is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for blacksmiths or metalworkers.

In the early Ottoman Empire, which ruled over much of modern-day Turkey and the Balkans, skilled metalworkers were highly valued and often bore the name DEMIR as a signifier of their profession. The earliest recorded instances of the surname appear in Ottoman tax records and registry documents from the 14th and 15th centuries.

One of the earliest known bearers of the DEMIR surname was Hacı Demir, a renowned blacksmith who lived in the city of Bursa during the reign of Sultan Murad II (1421-1451). Hacı Demir's metalwork was said to be of exceptional quality, and he was commissioned to forge weapons and armor for the Ottoman court.

Another notable figure was Mahmud Demir, a 16th-century Ottoman poet and calligrapher from the city of Edirne. His works, which include poetry collections and calligraphic manuscripts, are preserved in the collections of various libraries in Turkey and abroad.

During the 18th century, the DEMIR surname gained prominence in the Black Sea region of Turkey, particularly in the cities of Trabzon and Samsun. One influential family from this era was the Demir family of Trabzon, who were involved in maritime trade and shipping.

In more recent history, Hüseyin Rahmi Demir (1873-1945) was a renowned Turkish writer and journalist who is considered one of the pioneers of the Turkish short story genre. His works, which often explored social issues and captured the daily lives of ordinary people, were influential in shaping modern Turkish literature.

Another notable figure was Fevzi Demir (1912-1991), a Turkish politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey from 1963 to 1965. He played a significant role in Turkey's foreign policy during the Cold War era.

Throughout history, the DEMIR surname has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including artisans, scholars, writers, and statesmen. While its origins can be traced back to the metalworking profession, the name has since transcended its occupational roots and become a widespread surname across Turkey and the Turkish diaspora.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Demir surname: questions and answers

How common is the Demir surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 826 in 2016. That gives Demir a modern rank of #6,731.

What does the Demir surname mean?

A Turkish surname meaning "iron" or "steel", potentially referring to an occupation involving metal work.

What does the Demir map show?

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