NameCensus.

UK surname

Faris

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "knight," "horseman," or "rider."

In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Faris surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 267, ranked #16,054, up from #26,869 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Huntingdonshire, Westminster and Langlee.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faris is 267 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 456.3%.

1881 census count

48

Ranked #26,869

Modern count

267

2016, ranked #16,054

Peak year

2016

267 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Faris had 48 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #26,869 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 267 in 2016, ranked #16,054.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 96 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Faris surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Faris surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Faris 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
1851 historical 78 #19,840
1861 historical 60 #26,313
1881 historical 48 #26,869
1891 historical 96 #24,559
1901 historical 60 #27,502
1911 historical 75 #25,322
1997 modern 146 #21,494
1998 modern 146 #22,031
1999 modern 146 #22,202
2000 modern 142 #22,544
2001 modern 142 #22,234
2002 modern 150 #21,913
2003 modern 145 #22,172
2004 modern 149 #21,905
2005 modern 157 #21,128
2006 modern 174 #19,921
2007 modern 184 #19,485
2008 modern 188 #19,387
2009 modern 211 #18,377
2010 modern 225 #18,000
2011 modern 230 #17,578
2012 modern 236 #17,187
2013 modern 252 #16,689
2014 modern 253 #16,774
2015 modern 254 #16,608
2016 modern 267 #16,054

Geography

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Where Faris' 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 Huntingdonshire, Westminster and Langlee. 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 Huntingdonshire 010 Huntingdonshire
2 Westminster 009 Westminster
3 Langlee Scottish Borders
4 Huntingdonshire 011 Huntingdonshire
5 Westminster 010 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Faris

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Faris

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Faris, 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 Faris surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Faris 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Faris is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Faris 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

Faris falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Faris is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Faris

The surname Faris is of Arabic origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Middle Eastern region. It is derived from the Arabic word "faris," which translates to "knight" or "horseman." This etymology suggests that the name was initially associated with individuals who were skilled horsemen or cavalrymen.

In the early days of Islam, during the 7th and 8th centuries, the term "faris" held great significance as it referred to the elite cavalry units that played a pivotal role in military campaigns and conquests. These horsemen were highly respected for their bravery, horsemanship, and combat prowess.

The surname Faris can be traced back to numerous historical records, including ancient manuscripts and chronicles. One notable mention is found in the "Kitab al-Aghani," a renowned collection of Arabic poems and songs compiled in the 9th century. This work contains references to individuals bearing the name Faris, indicating its widespread use during that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Faris is found in the writings of the celebrated Arab historian and philosopher, Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406). He documented the exploits of a distinguished military commander named Abu Bakr al-Faris, who led the armies of the Marinid dynasty in North Africa during the 14th century.

Another historically significant figure with the surname Faris was Ali ibn Isa al-Faris (d. 1015), a prominent Arab mathematician and astronomer from Baghdad. His contributions to the fields of trigonometry and spherical geometry were widely acclaimed during his lifetime and continue to be recognized by scholars today.

In the realm of literature, the name Faris is associated with the renowned Arab poet and writer, Ameen Faris al-Shidyaq (1804-1887). Born in Lebanon, he was a pioneer of the Arabic literary renaissance and played a crucial role in reviving and modernizing the Arabic language.

Jumping forward in time, the 20th century saw the rise of Mahmoud Faris (1915-1996), an influential Egyptian diplomat and politician who served as the Secretary-General of the Arab League from 1964 to 1972. His efforts in promoting Arab unity and resolving regional conflicts left a lasting impact on the Middle Eastern political landscape.

Throughout history, the surname Faris has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, writers, military leaders, and statesmen. While the name's origins can be traced back to the ancient Middle East, its presence has been documented across various regions, reflecting the widespread influence of Arab culture and civilization.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Faris families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faris 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. Wiltshire leads with 10 Faris' recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.16x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 10 24.16x
Middlesex 8 1.71x
Dorset 7 22.79x
Lancashire 6 1.08x
Angus 5 11.53x
Surrey 3 1.32x
Essex 2 2.17x
Lanarkshire 2 1.32x
Staffordshire 2 1.27x
Hampshire 1 1.04x
Kent 1 0.63x
Renfrewshire 1 2.76x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Gussage St Michael in Dorset leads with 7 Faris' recorded in 1881 and an index of 17500.00x.

Place Total Index
Gussage St Michael 7 17500.00x
Kensington London 6 23.06x
Dundee 5 30.88x
Tollard Royal 4 10000.00x
Birkdale 3 212.77x
Effingham 3 3333.33x
Fisherton Anger 3 389.61x
Salisbury St Edmund 3 454.55x
Hammersmith London 2 17.35x
Handsworth 2 51.41x
Old Monkland 2 33.28x
Bispham 1 2000.00x
Erith 1 63.69x
Neilston 1 54.95x
Portsea 1 5.32x
Prestwich 1 71.94x
Rivenhall 1 909.09x
Wanstead 1 61.73x
Windle 1 32.05x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Faris surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 6
Alice 2
Charlotte 2
Jane 2
Sarah 2
Elizabeth 1
Gertrude 1
Janes 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Nellie 1
R. 1
Rosa 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Faris surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 4
Joseph 2
Arthur 1
David 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
James 1
John 1
Sidney 1
Thomas 1
Tom 1
Wm. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Faris households.

FAQ

Faris surname: questions and answers

How common was the Faris surname in 1881?

In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Faris surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Faris surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 267 in 2016. That gives Faris a modern rank of #16,054.

What does the Faris surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "knight," "horseman," or "rider."

What does the Faris map show?

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