NameCensus.

UK surname

Harb

An Arabic surname referring to war, battle, or a warrior.

In the 1881 census there were 4 people recorded with the Harb surname, ranking it #33,288 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 210, ranked #18,965, up from #33,288 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Harb is 210 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5150.0%.

1881 census count

4

Ranked #33,288

Modern count

210

2016, ranked #18,965

Peak year

2016

210 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Harb had 4 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,288 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 210 in 2016, ranked #18,965.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 67 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Harb surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Harb surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Harb 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 24 #29,038
1861 historical 40 #28,970
1881 historical 4 #33,288
1891 historical 67 #28,424
1901 historical 20 #31,803
1911 historical 9 #32,754
1997 modern 53 #32,329
1998 modern 58 #32,138
1999 modern 63 #31,798
2000 modern 66 #31,553
2001 modern 66 #31,394
2002 modern 76 #30,830
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 134 #23,425
2005 modern 143 #22,473
2006 modern 143 #22,619
2007 modern 148 #22,406
2008 modern 168 #20,828
2009 modern 167 #21,383
2010 modern 190 #20,087
2011 modern 193 #19,729
2012 modern 199 #19,280
2013 modern 208 #19,041
2014 modern 208 #19,194
2015 modern 209 #19,018
2016 modern 210 #18,965

Geography

Back to top

Where Harbs 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, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham and Westminster. 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 014 Hounslow
2 Hounslow 009 Hounslow
3 Kensington and Chelsea 019 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Hammersmith and Fulham 004 Hammersmith and Fulham
5 Westminster 010 Westminster

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Harb

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Harb

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Harb surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Harb 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Harb 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

Harb 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

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

Meaning and origin of Harb

The surname HARB is thought to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in regions like Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. The name is derived from the Arabic word "harb," which means "war" or "battle." This etymology suggests that the name may have been given to individuals who were warriors, soldiers, or associated with military endeavors.

In ancient times, the HARB name was found in various Arabic manuscripts and historical records. One of the earliest known references is in the 9th-century work "Kitab al-Aghani" (Book of Songs), which mentions individuals with the surname HARB who were renowned poets and literary figures.

The name HARB has also been linked to several influential figures throughout history. One notable example is Abu Bakr al-Harb, a 10th-century Arab scholar and writer from Baghdad, whose works covered subjects like grammar, poetry, and literature.

Another prominent individual with the HARB surname was Umar al-Harb, a 12th-century Arab military leader and commander from Damascus. He played a significant role in the Crusades, leading Muslim armies against the Crusader forces.

In the 13th century, the name HARB appears in records related to the Ayyubid dynasty, a Sunni Muslim dynasty that ruled over parts of the Middle East and North Africa. One notable figure from this era was Salah al-Din al-Harb, a military commander and cousin of the famous Sultan Salah al-Din (Saladin).

Moving forward in time, the HARB surname can be found in various historical documents and records from the Ottoman Empire. One example is Mustafa al-Harb, a 16th-century Ottoman scholar and historian who authored works on the history and culture of the region.

Another individual of note is Ali al-Harb, an 18th-century Arab poet and writer from Lebanon. His poetic works were widely renowned and celebrated in the Arab literary tradition.

These are just a few examples of the individuals with the surname HARB who have left their mark on history. The name's rich heritage and association with military prowess, scholarship, and literary achievements underscore its significance in the cultural tapestry of the Middle East.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Harb families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Harb 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. Leicestershire leads with 3 Harbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.61x.

County Total Index
Leicestershire 3 69.61x
Cambridgeshire 1 40.65x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Loughborough in Leicestershire leads with 3 Harbs recorded in 1881 and an index of 1500.00x.

Place Total Index
Loughborough 3 1500.00x
Grantchester 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Agnes 1
Harriett 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2

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 Harb households.

FAQ

Harb surname: questions and answers

How common was the Harb surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4 people were recorded with the Harb surname. That placed it at #33,288 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Harb surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 210 in 2016. That gives Harb a modern rank of #18,965.

What does the Harb surname mean?

An Arabic surname referring to war, battle, or a warrior.

What does the Harb map show?

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