NameCensus.

UK surname

Hai

A surname likely derived from a geographical location or topographical feature.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Hai surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 159, ranked #22,798, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hai is 185 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 15800.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

159

2016, ranked #22,798

Peak year

2009

185 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hai had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016, ranked #22,798.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Hai surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hai surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hai 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
1851 historical 5 #32,456
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 103 #26,498
1998 modern 109 #26,273
1999 modern 110 #26,315
2000 modern 114 #25,717
2001 modern 110 #25,900
2002 modern 122 #24,874
2003 modern 137 #22,939
2004 modern 150 #21,830
2005 modern 143 #22,473
2006 modern 150 #21,915
2007 modern 159 #21,387
2008 modern 162 #21,350
2009 modern 185 #20,010
2010 modern 181 #20,738
2011 modern 161 #22,187
2012 modern 149 #23,372
2013 modern 157 #22,904
2014 modern 160 #22,824
2015 modern 158 #22,913
2016 modern 159 #22,798

Geography

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Where Hais 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 Barnet, Hounslow, Camden, Ealing and Redbridge. 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 Barnet 024 Barnet
2 Hounslow 011 Hounslow
3 Camden 025 Camden
4 Ealing 031 Ealing
5 Redbridge 019 Redbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hai

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Hai surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Hai household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Hai is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hai 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

Hai 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 Hai is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
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 Hai, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hai

The surname "HAI" is believed to have originated in China, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). It is derived from the Chinese character "海" (hǎi), which means "ocean" or "sea." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near the coast or had occupations related to maritime activities.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "HAI" can be found in the "Treatise on Food and Money" (Shihuo Zhi), a historical text written during the Song Dynasty. This work mentions a person named Hai Zhuochen, who served as an official in the imperial court. However, there is limited information available about his specific dates or life details.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the surname "HAI" gained prominence in the coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian. Historical records indicate that several individuals with this surname held notable positions within the imperial bureaucracy and made significant contributions to various fields.

One notable individual was Hai Rui (1514-1587), a renowned statesman and scholar-official who served during the Ming Dynasty. He is remembered for his unwavering integrity and commitment to justice, often criticizing corruption and advocating for the well-being of the common people. Hai Rui's writings and actions have left a lasting impact on Chinese political thought and ethics.

In the realm of literature, the surname "HAI" is associated with Hai Zhi (1736-1788), a prominent poet and essayist of the Qing Dynasty. His works, which explored themes of nature, philosophy, and the human condition, are considered masterpieces of classical Chinese literature.

Another influential figure was Hai Rong (1763-1825), a renowned military strategist and general who played a crucial role in suppressing several major uprisings during the Qing Dynasty. His innovative tactics and leadership skills earned him widespread recognition and respect among his contemporaries.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the surname "HAI" gained international recognition through the achievements of individuals like Hai Hongri (1856-1924), a pioneering industrialist and entrepreneur who played a significant role in the modernization of China's textile industry.

Throughout its history, the surname "HAI" has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, ranging from scholars and poets to military leaders and businessmen. While its origins can be traced back to ancient China, the name has left an indelible mark on various aspects of Chinese culture and society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Hai surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hai surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Hai surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hai surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 159 in 2016. That gives Hai a modern rank of #22,798.

What does the Hai surname mean?

A surname likely derived from a geographical location or topographical feature.

What does the Hai map show?

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