NameCensus.

UK surname

Goraya

A surname of Indian origin, possibly derived from a village name.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gravesham, Brighton and Hove and Crawley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goraya is 152 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

152

2016, ranked #23,516

Peak year

2015

152 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016, ranked #23,516.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Goraya surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goraya surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goraya 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
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 99 #27,785
1999 modern 103 #27,305
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 95 #28,101
2002 modern 103 #27,443
2003 modern 108 #26,486
2004 modern 107 #26,899
2005 modern 108 #26,736
2006 modern 111 #26,565
2007 modern 119 #25,747
2008 modern 120 #25,922
2009 modern 128 #25,427
2010 modern 144 #24,147
2011 modern 138 #24,615
2012 modern 135 #24,952
2013 modern 147 #23,977
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 152 #23,507
2016 modern 152 #23,516

Geography

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Where Gorayas 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 Gravesham, Brighton and Hove, Crawley and Hillingdon. 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 Gravesham 001 Gravesham
2 Brighton and Hove 009 Brighton and Hove
3 Gravesham 002 Gravesham
4 Crawley 007 Crawley
5 Hillingdon 021 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goraya

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

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Goraya 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

Goraya 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

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

Meaning and origin of Goraya

The surname Goraya has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Punjab region. It is believed to have originated from the village of Goraya, located in the Jalandhar district of Punjab, India. This village name is derived from the Sanskrit word "gotra," meaning lineage or clan.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Goraya can be traced back to the 16th century, where it appears in various historical documents and records from the Mughal era. During this period, the Goraya clan held significant influence and power in the region, with members serving as administrators, landowners, and military personnel.

One notable historical figure bearing the Goraya surname was Bhai Mani Singh Goraya, a renowned Sikh scholar and warrior who lived from 1644 to 1734. He played a crucial role in the preservation and compilation of the Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of Sikhism. His sacrifices and contributions to the Sikh faith have been widely recognized and celebrated.

Another prominent individual from the Goraya clan was Sardar Sahib Singh Goraya, a distinguished military leader who served under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the legendary ruler of the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century. Sahib Singh Goraya's bravery and strategic acumen earned him a reputation as one of the most celebrated generals of his time.

In the realm of literature, Bhai Vir Singh Goraya, born in 1872, was a renowned Punjabi writer, scholar, and theologian. His works, including the iconic novel "Sundari," have left an indelible mark on Punjabi literature and the preservation of Sikh cultural heritage.

The Goraya surname has also been associated with various place names and villages across the Punjab region, such as Goraya Kalan, Goraya Khurd, and Goraya Thakarpur, among others. These place names reflect the historical presence and influence of the Goraya clan in the area.

Throughout history, the Goraya surname has been spelled in various ways, including Goreya, Goria, and Goria. These variations in spelling can be attributed to the diverse dialects and regional variations within the Punjab region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Goraya surname: questions and answers

How common is the Goraya surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 152 in 2016. That gives Goraya a modern rank of #23,516.

What does the Goraya surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, possibly derived from a village name.

What does the Goraya map show?

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