NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilani

A surname indicating an individual's geographic origin from the Gilgit region of northern Pakistan.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redbridge, Walsall and Luton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilani is 443 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

421

2016, ranked #11,388

Peak year

2014

443 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 421 in 2016, ranked #11,388.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Gilani surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gilani surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gilani 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
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1997 modern 195 #17,912
1998 modern 206 #17,796
1999 modern 216 #17,364
2000 modern 216 #17,340
2001 modern 213 #17,267
2002 modern 249 #15,855
2003 modern 258 #15,293
2004 modern 283 #14,418
2005 modern 296 #13,947
2006 modern 314 #13,474
2007 modern 352 #12,546
2008 modern 387 #11,767
2009 modern 397 #11,793
2010 modern 425 #11,423
2011 modern 404 #11,786
2012 modern 403 #11,662
2013 modern 422 #11,436
2014 modern 443 #11,038
2015 modern 436 #11,099
2016 modern 421 #11,388

Geography

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Where Gilanis 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 Redbridge, Walsall, Luton, Carmondean and Eliburn North and Waltham Forest. 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 Redbridge 024 Redbridge
2 Walsall 034 Walsall
3 Luton 011 Luton
4 Carmondean and Eliburn North West Lothian
5 Waltham Forest 019 Waltham Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gilani

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

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

Gilani 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

Gilani falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Gilani

The surname GILANI is of Persian origin and can be traced back to the 7th century. It is derived from the ancient Persian word "Gilan," which refers to the region of Gilan located in northern Iran, along the Caspian Sea. The GILANI surname was initially used to identify individuals who hailed from this region.

During the Islamic Golden Age, between the 8th and 13th centuries, the name GILANI gained prominence as several notable scholars and poets bore this surname. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the works of the renowned Persian poet and mystic, Farid al-Din Attar, who lived from 1145 to 1221.

The GILANI surname is mentioned in various historical manuscripts and chronicles from the medieval period, including the "Tazkirat al-Shu'ara" (Memoirs of Poets) by Dawlatshah Samarqandi, written in the 15th century. This work contains references to several poets with the GILANI surname, indicating the widespread use of the name during that era.

In the 13th century, a prominent Sufi mystic and poet, Baha al-Din Gilani, gained significant recognition for his spiritual teachings and literary works. He was born in Gilan in 1188 and passed away in 1258. His influence and writings have left a lasting impact on Sufism and Persian literature.

Another notable figure bearing the GILANI surname was Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani, a renowned Sufi saint who lived from 1077 to 1166. He was born in the village of Naif, near the Persian city of Gīlān, and is revered as the founder of the Qadiri Sufi order, which has a significant following across the Middle East and South Asia.

In the 16th century, Mirza Muhammad Gilani, a Persian poet and calligrapher, gained recognition for his exceptional calligraphic skills and poetic works. He was born in Gilan in 1516 and passed away in 1574.

Over the centuries, the GILANI surname has been associated with various place names and spellings, such as Gilani, Gīlānī, Gīlānī, and Gīlānī, reflecting the regional variations and linguistic influences of the areas where individuals bearing this surname resided.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gilani surname: questions and answers

How common is the Gilani surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 421 in 2016. That gives Gilani a modern rank of #11,388.

What does the Gilani surname mean?

A surname indicating an individual's geographic origin from the Gilgit region of northern Pakistan.

What does the Gilani map show?

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