NameCensus.

UK surname

Gupta

A surname of Indian origin referring to a member of the Vaishya caste, traditionally associated with merchants and traders.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Gupta surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,350, ranked #1,567, up from #33,721 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gupta is 4,350 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 217400.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

4,350

2016, ranked #1,567

Peak year

2016

4,350 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gupta had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,350 in 2016, ranked #1,567.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Gupta surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gupta surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gupta 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
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 6 #33,255
1997 modern 1,776 #3,370
1998 modern 1,922 #3,256
1999 modern 1,982 #3,200
2000 modern 2,022 #3,139
2001 modern 2,012 #3,099
2002 modern 2,232 #2,886
2003 modern 2,412 #2,645
2004 modern 2,573 #2,503
2005 modern 2,736 #2,366
2006 modern 3,077 #2,103
2007 modern 3,322 #1,991
2008 modern 3,546 #1,867
2009 modern 3,705 #1,832
2010 modern 3,961 #1,757
2011 modern 3,892 #1,761
2012 modern 4,019 #1,672
2013 modern 4,198 #1,627
2014 modern 4,233 #1,625
2015 modern 4,272 #1,597
2016 modern 4,350 #1,567

Geography

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Where Guptas 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 Hounslow, Harrow, Reading and Brent. 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 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
2 Hounslow 012 Hounslow
3 Harrow 023 Harrow
4 Reading 011 Reading
5 Brent 008 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gupta

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

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

Gupta 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

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

Meaning and origin of Gupta

The surname Gupta originated in India and has its roots in the Sanskrit language. It is derived from the word "gupta," which means "protected" or "hidden." The name is believed to have originated during the Gupta Empire, which ruled over a vast territory in northern India between the 4th and 6th centuries AD.

The Gupta Empire was known for its cultural and intellectual achievements, and many scholars and poets flourished during this period. It is possible that the surname Gupta was initially adopted by individuals or families associated with the Gupta rulers or their court.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gupta can be found in the Allahabad Pillar inscription, which dates back to the 4th century AD. This inscription mentions the Gupta emperor Samudragupta and his achievements.

Another historical reference to the name Gupta can be found in the works of the renowned Sanskrit poet and playwright Kalidasa, who lived during the Gupta period. Kalidasa is considered one of the greatest poets and dramatists in the history of Indian literature.

In the medieval period, the Gupta surname was associated with various ruling dynasties and noble families across different regions of India. Some notable individuals with the Gupta surname include Chanakya Gupta, a celebrated Indian teacher, philosopher, and royal advisor who lived in the 4th century BC, and Aryabhata, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 5th century AD.

During the 12th century, the Gupta surname gained prominence in the region of Bengal, where the Sena dynasty ruled. One of the most famous rulers of this dynasty was Lakshmana Sena, who was also known as Lakshmana Gupta.

In more recent history, several individuals with the Gupta surname have made significant contributions in various fields. One such individual was Radhanath Gupta, a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who lived from 1888 to 1963.

Another notable figure was Dwijendralal Gupta, a Bengali writer and educator who was born in 1889 and played a significant role in promoting the use of the Bengali language and literature.

It is worth noting that the Gupta surname is not limited to any particular region or community in India and is found across various states and among different linguistic and cultural groups.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gupta families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gupta 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Guptas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 2 Guptas recorded in 1881 and an index of 129.03x.

Place Total Index
St Pancras London 2 129.03x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Matilol 1
Pyari 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 Gupta households.

FAQ

Gupta surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gupta surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Gupta surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gupta surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,350 in 2016. That gives Gupta a modern rank of #1,567.

What does the Gupta surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin referring to a member of the Vaishya caste, traditionally associated with merchants and traders.

What does the Gupta map show?

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