NameCensus.

UK surname

Dhar

A Hindu surname for a water-bearer or servant of a water-well.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dhar is 263 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

257

2016, ranked #16,485

Peak year

2013

263 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 257 in 2016, ranked #16,485.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Dhar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dhar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dhar 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 118 #24,423
1998 modern 115 #25,466
1999 modern 120 #24,960
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 136 #23,296
2003 modern 141 #22,549
2004 modern 152 #21,628
2005 modern 157 #21,128
2006 modern 181 #19,466
2007 modern 203 #18,303
2008 modern 216 #17,758
2009 modern 232 #17,293
2010 modern 247 #16,931
2011 modern 249 #16,684
2012 modern 241 #16,925
2013 modern 263 #16,232
2014 modern 253 #16,774
2015 modern 257 #16,475
2016 modern 257 #16,485

Geography

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Where Dhars 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 Redbridge, Ipswich, Haringey, Hillingdon and Solihull. 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 Redbridge 035 Redbridge
2 Ipswich 006 Ipswich
3 Haringey 020 Haringey
4 Hillingdon 025 Hillingdon
5 Solihull 016 Solihull

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dhar

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Dhar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Dhar 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dhar 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

Dhar 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

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

Meaning and origin of Dhar

The surname DHAR is believed to have originated in South Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. It is considered to be a derivative of the Sanskrit word 'Dhara,' which means 'flow' or 'stream.' This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who lived near rivers or streams, or those who worked in professions related to water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name DHAR can be traced back to the 12th century in the region of Malwa, which is now part of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. During this period, the town of Dhar served as the capital of the Malwa Sultanate, and it is possible that the surname was derived from this place name.

In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Mahabharata and Puranas, there are references to individuals with the name DHAR or its variations. For example, Dhara was the name of a river mentioned in the Mahabharata, and there was also a sage named Dhara who was renowned for his wisdom and knowledge.

Notable individuals with the surname DHAR throughout history include:

1. Raja Bhoj Dhar (1010-1055 CE), a renowned ruler of the Paramara dynasty in central India, known for his patronage of arts, literature, and architecture. 2. Anant Dhar (1690-1760 CE), a Hindu scholar and poet from the Braj region of northern India, who wrote extensively on devotional themes. 3. Jai Singh Dhar (1768-1843 CE), a Rajput warrior and military leader who served under the Maratha Empire and played a significant role in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. 4. Gobind Behari Dhar (1875-1945 CE), an Indian mathematician and educator who made notable contributions to the field of geometry. 5. Shyam Sunder Dhar (1918-2007 CE), an eminent Indian historian and scholar who specialized in the study of ancient Indian history and culture.

While the surname DHAR is predominantly found in India, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent, where it has a rich historical and cultural significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dhar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dhar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 257 in 2016. That gives Dhar a modern rank of #16,485.

What does the Dhar surname mean?

A Hindu surname for a water-bearer or servant of a water-well.

What does the Dhar map show?

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