NameCensus.

UK surname

Faisal

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "arbitrator" or "judge".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bradford, Manchester and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faisal is 829 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

829

2016, ranked #6,706

Peak year

2016

829 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 829 in 2016, ranked #6,706.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Faisal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Faisal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Faisal 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
1997 modern 77 #29,874
1998 modern 89 #29,026
1999 modern 104 #27,164
2000 modern 122 #24,698
2001 modern 123 #24,242
2002 modern 169 #20,307
2003 modern 215 #17,286
2004 modern 281 #14,489
2005 modern 326 #13,045
2006 modern 387 #11,514
2007 modern 467 #10,053
2008 modern 529 #9,229
2009 modern 578 #8,825
2010 modern 637 #8,371
2011 modern 667 #7,995
2012 modern 755 #7,185
2013 modern 794 #7,005
2014 modern 809 #6,925
2015 modern 796 #6,960
2016 modern 829 #6,706

Geography

Back to top

Where Faisals 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 Bradford, Manchester, Newham and Oldham. 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 Bradford 039 Bradford
2 Manchester 027 Manchester
3 Newham 011 Newham
4 Newham 014 Newham
5 Oldham 035 Oldham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Faisal

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Faisal

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

Faisal 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

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

Meaning and origin of Faisal

The surname Faisal is of Arabic origin and has its roots in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula. It is derived from the Arabic word "faysal," which means "judgment" or "decisive." The name has been in use since ancient times, and its earliest recorded instances can be traced back to the 7th century AD.

One of the earliest known historical references to the name Faisal is found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. In the Quran, the word "faysal" is used to describe the divine judgment or decision of Allah. This association with divine judgment likely contributed to the name's popularity among Muslims.

The name Faisal gained particular prominence during the rise of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates in the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Several notable figures from these dynasties bore the name Faisal, including Faisal ibn Abbas, a prominent Arab general who played a significant role in the early Muslim conquests.

One of the most famous historical figures with the surname Faisal was Faisal ibn Abdul-Aziz Al Saud (1906-1975), the third King of Saudi Arabia. He played a pivotal role in the formation of the modern Saudi state and was widely respected for his efforts in modernizing the country while preserving its cultural heritage.

Another notable figure was Faisal I (1885-1933), the first King of Iraq and a prominent Arab nationalist leader. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the modern Iraqi state and was known for his efforts to unite the Arab world under a common cause.

In the realm of literature, Faisal Ghazi (1590-1670) was a renowned Sufi poet and scholar from the Mughal Empire. His works, which included poetry and mystical writings, had a significant influence on the literary and spiritual traditions of the region.

Faisal Faheed (1934-2010) was a prominent Pakistani writer and playwright, known for his contributions to Urdu literature and his influential works exploring social and political themes.

The name Faisal has also been associated with various place names throughout the Middle East and the Arab world. For example, the city of Faisalabad in Pakistan was named after King Faisal I of Iraq, while the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, was named after King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.

Overall, the surname Faisal has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in the Arab and Muslim world. Its association with divine judgment, leadership, and literary achievements has made it a prominent name throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Faisal surname: questions and answers

How common is the Faisal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 829 in 2016. That gives Faisal a modern rank of #6,706.

What does the Faisal surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "arbitrator" or "judge".

What does the Faisal map show?

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