NameCensus.

UK surname

Ganesh

A surname likely derived from the Hindu deity, Lord Ganesh.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ganesh is 256 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

243

2016, ranked #17,131

Peak year

2009

256 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 243 in 2016, ranked #17,131.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Ganesh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ganesh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ganesh 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 2 #34,135
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 116 #24,688
1998 modern 131 #23,495
1999 modern 127 #24,125
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 128 #23,665
2002 modern 151 #21,809
2003 modern 165 #20,401
2004 modern 177 #19,662
2005 modern 199 #18,198
2006 modern 213 #17,563
2007 modern 226 #17,103
2008 modern 235 #16,777
2009 modern 256 #16,145
2010 modern 256 #16,523
2011 modern 244 #16,922
2012 modern 239 #17,027
2013 modern 244 #17,072
2014 modern 237 #17,528
2015 modern 246 #16,994
2016 modern 243 #17,131

Geography

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Where Ganeshs 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 Hillingdon, Brent, Harrow and Leicester. 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 Hillingdon 002 Hillingdon
2 Brent 001 Brent
3 Harrow 017 Harrow
4 Leicester 006 Leicester
5 Leicester 023 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ganesh

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ganesh

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ganesh, 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 Ganesh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Ganesh 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, Ganesh 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

Ganesh 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

Ganesh falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ganesh

The surname Ganesh originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the Hindu religion and mythology. It is derived from the name of the elephant-headed Hindu deity, Lord Ganesha, who is widely revered as the remover of obstacles and the patron of arts and sciences.

Ganesh is a Sanskrit word that can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Puranas and the Vedas. The name is believed to have been in use for centuries, with references to Lord Ganesha found in manuscripts and inscriptions dating back to the 4th century CE.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ganesh can be found in the Chalukya dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh between the 6th and 12th centuries CE. Several inscriptions from this period mention individuals bearing the name Ganesh, often in association with their devotion to Lord Ganesha.

In the medieval period, the name Ganesh gained popularity among Hindu communities across India. It was particularly prevalent in regions where the worship of Lord Ganesha was deeply rooted, such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The name was often bestowed upon individuals as a mark of reverence and gratitude to the deity.

Notable historical figures with the surname Ganesh include Ganesh Udayar (1550-1625), a Tamil philosopher and scholar who authored several works on Hinduism and Saivism. Another noteworthy individual was Ganesh Damodar Madgavkar (1827-1920), a Marathi social reformer and educationist who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Fergusson College in Pune.

Ganesh Ramchandra Bhargava (1892-1967) was a prominent freedom fighter and social activist in the Indian independence movement. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of society.

The name Ganesh has also been associated with various place names and older spellings, such as Ganeshpur, Ganeshkhind, and Ganeshpuri, which are towns or localities named after Lord Ganesha or his devotees.

While the surname Ganesh has its origins in Hindu mythology and culture, it has transcended religious boundaries and is now found among diverse communities across India and beyond, reflecting the rich heritage and diversity of the subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ganesh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ganesh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 243 in 2016. That gives Ganesh a modern rank of #17,131.

What does the Ganesh surname mean?

A surname likely derived from the Hindu deity, Lord Ganesh.

What does the Ganesh map show?

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