NameCensus.

UK surname

Dholakia

A surname indicating one's lineage traces to Dholka, a town in Gujarat, India.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Wellingborough and Oadby and Wigston.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dholakia is 200 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

194

2016, ranked #19,976

Peak year

2014

200 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016, ranked #19,976.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Dholakia surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Dholakia surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Dholakia 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
1997 modern 133 #22,705
1998 modern 135 #23,118
1999 modern 142 #22,607
2000 modern 150 #21,781
2001 modern 152 #21,294
2002 modern 167 #20,457
2003 modern 163 #20,554
2004 modern 155 #21,352
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 166 #20,534
2007 modern 175 #20,090
2008 modern 174 #20,385
2009 modern 178 #20,486
2010 modern 180 #20,812
2011 modern 177 #20,874
2012 modern 178 #20,758
2013 modern 198 #19,657
2014 modern 200 #19,713
2015 modern 195 #19,909
2016 modern 194 #19,976

Geography

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Where Dholakias 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 Brent, Wellingborough and Oadby and Wigston. 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 Brent 030 Brent
2 Wellingborough 006 Wellingborough
3 Wellingborough 007 Wellingborough
4 Brent 029 Brent
5 Oadby and Wigston 009 Oadby and Wigston

Forenames

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First names often paired with Dholakia

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

Hasmukh Bhavin Vijay Rajesh Anup Shashikant Chandrakant Milan Virendra Kishan

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Dholakia

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Dholakia surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Dholakia household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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, Dholakia 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

Dholakia 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

Dholakia falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Dholakia

The surname DHOLAKIA is of Indian origin, specifically from the Gujarat region. It is believed to have originated in the 16th century or earlier. The name is derived from the Gujarati word "dholki," which refers to a traditional Indian drum made of wood and leather.

The DHOLAKIA surname is commonly found among members of the Anavil Brahmin community in Gujarat. Anavil Brahmins were traditionally involved in various occupations, including music, and it is possible that the name was initially associated with those who played the dholki drum or were involved in musical performances.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the DHOLAKIA surname can be found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The document includes a list of Hindu caste names, including DHOLAKIA.

In the 18th century, a notable figure with the DHOLAKIA surname was Ranchhodji Dholakia, a prominent merchant and trader from Gujarat. He was instrumental in establishing trade routes and commercial networks between Gujarat and other parts of India.

Another prominent individual with the DHOLAKIA surname was Narrottam Dholakia, a 19th-century social reformer and educator from Gujarat. He played a significant role in promoting education and social upliftment among the underprivileged communities in the region.

Keshavlal Dholakia, born in 1907, was a renowned Gujarati poet and writer. His literary works, including poetry collections and novels, contributed significantly to the development of Gujarati literature in the 20th century.

Ghanshyam Dholakia, born in 1950, is a prominent Indian industrialist and the founder of the Dholakia Group, a leading gemstone and jewelry conglomerate based in Gujarat. He has been recognized for his contributions to the jewelry industry and promoting ethical business practices.

Shantilal Dholakia, born in 1947, is a former Indian cricketer who played domestic cricket for Saurashtra and represented India in Test and One Day International matches in the 1970s. He is considered one of the finest wicket-keepers and batsmen from Gujarat.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Dholakia surname: questions and answers

How common is the Dholakia surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 194 in 2016. That gives Dholakia a modern rank of #19,976.

What does the Dholakia surname mean?

A surname indicating one's lineage traces to Dholka, a town in Gujarat, India.

What does the Dholakia map show?

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