NameCensus.

UK surname

Gafoor

A surname derived from Arabic meaning "forgiving" or "indulgent".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gafoor is 134 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2010

134 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • 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.

Gafoor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gafoor surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gafoor 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 76 #29,997
1998 modern 82 #29,754
1999 modern 83 #29,823
2000 modern 82 #29,922
2001 modern 82 #29,714
2002 modern 80 #30,387
2003 modern 83 #30,088
2004 modern 97 #28,455
2005 modern 105 #27,203
2006 modern 109 #26,872
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 112 #27,061
2009 modern 130 #25,176
2010 modern 134 #25,263
2011 modern 127 #25,926
2012 modern 116 #27,550
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 119 #27,813
2015 modern 121 #27,405
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

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Where Gafoors 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 Carfin North, Blackburn with Darwen, Sheffield, Hounslow and Bolton. 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 Carfin North North Lanarkshire
2 Blackburn with Darwen 006 Blackburn with Darwen
3 Sheffield 018 Sheffield
4 Hounslow 004 Hounslow
5 Bolton 011 Bolton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gafoor

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

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

Gafoor 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

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

Meaning and origin of Gafoor

The surname GAFOOR is of Arabic origin, and is believed to have originated in the Middle East region during the early medieval period. The name is derived from the Arabic word "Ghafur," which means "forgiving" or "pardoning," and is one of the attributes associated with God in Islamic theology.

In its earliest forms, the name was spelled as "Ghafoor" or "Ghaffoor," and was initially used as a descriptive name or a title of respect for individuals who were known for their compassionate and forgiving nature. As time passed, the name evolved and became a hereditary surname, passed down through generations within families.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GAFOOR can be found in historical records from the 12th century, where it appears as a reference to a prominent scholar and religious figure from the region. However, it is important to note that record-keeping practices during that era were often inconsistent, and many historical documents may have been lost or damaged over time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the surname GAFOOR. One such example is Mirza Ghalib Gafoor, a renowned Urdu poet from the 19th century who was born in Agra, India, in 1797 and passed away in 1869. His literary works have had a lasting impact on the Urdu literary tradition and continue to be celebrated to this day.

Another prominent figure with the surname GAFOOR was Syed Ahmed Gafoor, a renowned Islamic scholar and reformist who lived in the 19th century. Born in 1786 in Rae Bareli, India, he was a strong advocate for educational reforms and played a significant role in promoting modern education within the Muslim community.

In the 20th century, one notable individual with the surname GAFOOR was Dr. Abdul Gafoor, a renowned medical researcher and educator from Pakistan. He made significant contributions to the field of infectious disease research and was widely recognized for his efforts in combating the spread of polio in the region.

The name GAFOOR has also been associated with various place names and geographical locations over the centuries. For example, there is a town called Gafoor in the Bahawalpur district of Pakistan, which may have derived its name from an early inhabitant or landowner bearing the surname.

While the surname GAFOOR is not as common as some other Arabic names, it continues to be used by families with roots in the Middle East and South Asia, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity of these regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gafoor surname: questions and answers

How common is the Gafoor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Gafoor a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Gafoor surname mean?

A surname derived from Arabic meaning "forgiving" or "indulgent".

What does the Gafoor map show?

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