NameCensus.

UK surname

Esmail

A surname originating from an Arabic name meaning "protector" or "preserver."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Esmail surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 453, ranked #10,748, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Bradford and Blackburn with Darwen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Esmail is 469 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 45200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

453

2016, ranked #10,748

Peak year

2010

469 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Esmail had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 453 in 2016, ranked #10,748.
  • 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.

Esmail surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Esmail surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Esmail 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 302 #13,459
1998 modern 323 #13,211
1999 modern 321 #13,362
2000 modern 323 #13,268
2001 modern 325 #13,030
2002 modern 338 #12,939
2003 modern 357 #12,233
2004 modern 362 #12,155
2005 modern 380 #11,639
2006 modern 406 #11,108
2007 modern 414 #11,072
2008 modern 436 #10,710
2009 modern 453 #10,611
2010 modern 469 #10,533
2011 modern 460 #10,594
2012 modern 432 #11,015
2013 modern 446 #10,911
2014 modern 453 #10,830
2015 modern 458 #10,678
2016 modern 453 #10,748

Geography

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Where Esmails 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 Leicester, Bradford and Blackburn with Darwen. 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 Leicester 022 Leicester
2 Leicester 018 Leicester
3 Bradford 034 Bradford
4 Leicester 017 Leicester
5 Blackburn with Darwen 004 Blackburn with Darwen

Forenames

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First names often paired with Esmail

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Esmail

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

Esmail 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

Esmail 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 Esmail 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Esmail

The surname ESMAIL is believed to have originated from the Arabic language and regions where Arabic was spoken. The name is derived from the Arabic word "Isma'il," which is a variation of the name "Ishmael," a biblical figure who was the son of Abraham.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname ESMAIL can be traced back to the Middle Ages, particularly in areas that were under the influence of Islamic culture and civilization, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

In some historical records, the name ESMAIL appears with various spellings, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the regions where it was used. Some of these variations include Ismail, Esmael, and Esmail.

One notable historical reference to the name ESMAIL can be found in the "Rawdat al-Muhibbin," a 13th-century Arabic text by the historian and biographer Ibn al-Najjar. This work mentions several individuals bearing the surname ESMAIL, indicating its widespread use during that period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the surname ESMAIL. One such individual was Ismail I (1487-1524), the founder of the Safavid dynasty in Persia (modern-day Iran). He was instrumental in establishing Shia Islam as the dominant religion in the region.

Another prominent figure was Ismail Pasha (1805-1876), an Ottoman statesman and diplomat who served as the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire in the mid-19th century. He is credited with initiating various reforms and modernization efforts within the Ottoman government.

In the realm of literature, Ismail Kadare (born 1936) is a renowned Albanian novelist and poet, known for his works that explore the complexities of Albanian history and culture. He has received numerous literary awards, including the inaugural Man Booker International Prize in 2005.

In the field of science, Ismail al-Jazari (1136-1206) was an Arab engineer and inventor who is best known for his contributions to the development of mechanical clocks and automata. His book, "The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices," is considered a pioneering work in the field of mechanical engineering.

Finally, Ismail Merchant (1936-2005) was an Indian-born film producer and director, best known for his collaborations with director James Ivory and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Their films, such as "A Room with a View" and "Howards End," received critical acclaim and international recognition.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Esmail families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Esmail 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. Lanarkshire leads with 1 Esmails recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.05x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 1 32.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan Church in Lanarkshire leads with 1 Esmails recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
Govan Church 1 0.00x

FAQ

Esmail surname: questions and answers

How common was the Esmail surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Esmail surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 453 in 2016. That gives Esmail a modern rank of #10,748.

What does the Esmail surname mean?

A surname originating from an Arabic name meaning "protector" or "preserver."

What does the Esmail map show?

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