NameCensus.

UK surname

Dhillon

A Jatt surname of Sikh origin, likely derived from the name of a Punjabi village or clan.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dhillon is 5,663 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

5,378

2016, ranked #1,248

Peak year

2011

5,663 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 5,378 in 2016, ranked #1,248.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Dhillon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dhillon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dhillon 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 3 #33,861
1997 modern 3,535 #1,832
1998 modern 3,756 #1,795
1999 modern 3,887 #1,754
2000 modern 4,062 #1,665
2001 modern 3,965 #1,670
2002 modern 4,309 #1,562
2003 modern 4,450 #1,492
2004 modern 4,619 #1,437
2005 modern 4,675 #1,396
2006 modern 4,849 #1,345
2007 modern 5,024 #1,314
2008 modern 5,133 #1,296
2009 modern 5,316 #1,283
2010 modern 5,639 #1,225
2011 modern 5,663 #1,201
2012 modern 5,363 #1,247
2013 modern 5,550 #1,226
2014 modern 5,503 #1,238
2015 modern 5,444 #1,235
2016 modern 5,378 #1,248

Geography

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Where Dhillons 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 Ealing and Hounslow. 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 Ealing 037 Ealing
2 Hounslow 010 Hounslow
3 Hounslow 004 Hounslow
4 Ealing 026 Ealing
5 Hounslow 013 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dhillon

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

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Dhillon 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

Dhillon 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

Dhillon falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dhillon

The surname Dhillon originated in the Punjab region of India. It is derived from the village of Dhilwan, which is located in the district of Hoshiarpur, Punjab. The name is believed to have originated in the 16th century, during the reign of the Mughal Empire.

The name Dhillon is thought to be an adaptation of the Sanskrit word "dhillika," which means "small village." This suggests that the name was likely used to identify individuals who hailed from the village of Dhilwan or its surrounding areas.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dhillon can be found in the Mughal administrative records of the 16th century. These records often listed the names of local landowners and officials, and it is possible that some of these individuals bore the surname Dhillon.

In the 18th century, a prominent Sikh warrior and leader named Baba Dhillon Singh played a significant role in the struggle against the Afghan invaders. He was born in the village of Dhilwan and was instrumental in organizing local resistance against the Afghans. His descendants continued to use the surname Dhillon.

Another notable figure with the surname Dhillon was Sardar Bahadur Sardar Swaran Singh Dhillon, who was born in 1887 and served as a member of the Indian Civil Service during the British Raj. He was awarded the title of "Sardar Bahadur" for his distinguished service.

In more recent times, Manjit Singh Dhillon, born in 1937, was a renowned Indian politician and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He served as a member of the Indian Parliament and held various ministerial positions in the government.

Gurnam Singh Dhillon, born in 1939, was a renowned Punjabi folk singer and actor. He was widely acclaimed for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of Punjabi culture through his music and performances.

Dharminder Singh Dhillon, born in 1966, is a former Indian cricketer who played for the Indian national team in the 1990s. He was known for his aggressive batting style and was part of the Indian team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup.

The surname Dhillon has also been documented in several historical manuscripts and records, including the Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of the Sikh religion, which mentions individuals with the surname Dhillon who were part of the early Sikh community.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dhillon surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dhillon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 5,378 in 2016. That gives Dhillon a modern rank of #1,248.

What does the Dhillon surname mean?

A Jatt surname of Sikh origin, likely derived from the name of a Punjabi village or clan.

What does the Dhillon map show?

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