NameCensus.

UK surname

Devi

A surname of Indian origin meaning "goddess" or "divine woman".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Devi surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,591, ranked #3,903, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Devi is 1,617 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 159000.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

1,591

2016, ranked #3,903

Peak year

2011

1,617 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Devi had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,591 in 2016, ranked #3,903.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Devi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Devi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Devi 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 1,387 #4,165
1998 modern 1,426 #4,213
1999 modern 1,421 #4,251
2000 modern 1,435 #4,212
2001 modern 1,412 #4,194
2002 modern 1,470 #4,136
2003 modern 1,474 #4,058
2004 modern 1,474 #4,064
2005 modern 1,495 #3,975
2006 modern 1,520 #3,919
2007 modern 1,539 #3,900
2008 modern 1,573 #3,843
2009 modern 1,592 #3,897
2010 modern 1,614 #3,930
2011 modern 1,617 #3,881
2012 modern 1,544 #3,977
2013 modern 1,553 #4,020
2014 modern 1,573 #3,998
2015 modern 1,577 #3,948
2016 modern 1,591 #3,903

Geography

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Where Devis 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 Wolverhampton and Birmingham. 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 Wolverhampton 035 Wolverhampton
2 Birmingham 039 Birmingham
3 Wolverhampton 020 Wolverhampton
4 Birmingham 036 Birmingham
5 Wolverhampton 029 Wolverhampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Devi

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Kamla Bimla Satya Sunita Anita Nirmala Kanta Shanti Usha Pushpa

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Devi

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Devi is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Devi 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

Devi falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Devi 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 Devi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Devi

The surname Devi originates from India, where it has been in use for centuries. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "devi," which means "goddess" or "divine feminine power." This name is closely associated with Hindu culture and tradition.

In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, the term "devi" is often used to refer to various goddesses, such as Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. It is a revered and highly respected title, reflecting the spiritual significance and power attributed to the feminine divine.

The earliest records of the surname Devi can be traced back to the 8th century CE, during the Pala Empire in ancient Bengal. It was commonly used by Brahmin families and those with close connections to Hindu temples and religious institutions.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Devi was Rani Devi, a powerful queen who ruled the Ghurid Empire in the 12th century. She was known for her military prowess and her efforts to expand the empire's territories.

Another notable figure was Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, who lived from 1725 to 1795. She was a highly respected ruler of the Malwa kingdom in central India and was renowned for her administrative skills, patronage of arts and culture, and her charitable works.

In the 15th century, the Devi dynasty ruled over parts of present-day Rajasthan and Gujarat. One of the most prominent rulers from this dynasty was Rana Devi Singh, who reigned from 1459 to 1489 and was known for his military campaigns and the construction of several forts and palaces.

The Devi surname was also associated with prominent scholars and poets. Mahadevi Verma, born in 1907, was a renowned Hindi poet and writer who played a significant role in the Chhayavaad literary movement. Her works explored themes of feminism, social injustice, and spiritual enlightenment.

In more recent times, Devi Prasad Tripathi, born in 1926, was a distinguished historian and scholar of ancient Indian history and culture. He made significant contributions to the study of the Vedic period and the history of Hinduism.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Devi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Devi 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. Suffolk leads with 1 Devis recorded in 1881 and an index of 85.47x.

County Total Index
Suffolk 1 85.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lowestoft in Suffolk leads with 1 Devis recorded in 1881 and an index of 1666.67x.

Place Total Index
Lowestoft 1 1666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Devi households.

Occupation Count
Nurse SMS 1

FAQ

Devi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Devi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Devi surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Devi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,591 in 2016. That gives Devi a modern rank of #3,903.

What does the Devi surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin meaning "goddess" or "divine woman".

What does the Devi map show?

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