NameCensus.

UK surname

Herath

An inherited family name originating from Sri Lanka, possibly denoting a skilled warrior or a person of high social status.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Herath is 177 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

154

2016, ranked #23,293

Peak year

2011

177 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016, ranked #23,293.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 32 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Herath surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Herath surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Herath 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 32 #29,944
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1997 modern 40 #33,666
1998 modern 53 #32,633
1999 modern 61 #31,971
2000 modern 64 #31,735
2001 modern 60 #31,985
2002 modern 82 #30,181
2003 modern 88 #29,506
2004 modern 106 #27,045
2005 modern 104 #27,369
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 109 #27,253
2008 modern 126 #25,131
2009 modern 141 #23,907
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 177 #20,874
2012 modern 152 #23,069
2013 modern 159 #22,706
2014 modern 158 #23,022
2015 modern 154 #23,306
2016 modern 154 #23,293

Geography

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Where Heraths 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 Brent, Harrow, Basildon 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 Brent 008 Brent
2 Harrow 017 Harrow
3 Basildon 003 Basildon
4 Hillingdon 002 Hillingdon
5 Hillingdon 023 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Herath

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Herath

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

Herath 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

Herath falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Herath 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
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Herath, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Herath

The surname HERATH originated in Sri Lanka, a country located in the Indian subcontinent. The name's roots can be traced back to the 14th century, when it was commonly used among the Sinhalese people of the island nation. HERATH is derived from the Sinhala language, where it is believed to have originated from the word "herat," meaning "gold" or "precious."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the HERATH surname can be found in the ancient Sinhalese chronicle Culavamsa, which documents the history of Sri Lanka from the 4th to the 18th centuries. The name is mentioned in reference to several notable figures, including a prominent Buddhist monk named Herath Thera, who lived during the 15th century and was renowned for his teachings and scholarly contributions.

In the 16th century, the HERATH name gained further prominence when a prominent family from the city of Matara, located in southern Sri Lanka, rose to power and influence. This family, known as the Herath Mudiyanselage, played a significant role in the region's governance and cultural affairs during the latter part of the kingdom of Kandy's reign.

One of the most celebrated individuals bearing the HERATH surname was Don Juan Herath Bandara (1531-1597), a Sinhalese nobleman and military leader who fought against the Portuguese colonial forces in Sri Lanka. His bravery and strategic prowess earned him a legendary status in the country's history.

Another notable figure was Don Siman Herath (1729-1804), a revered Buddhist scholar and poet who made significant contributions to Sinhala literature during the late 18th century. His works, which included translations of ancient Buddhist texts and original compositions, helped to preserve and promote the island's rich cultural heritage.

In the 20th century, the HERATH name continued to be associated with influential individuals, such as Dr. H.V. Herath (1903-1987), a pioneering Sri Lankan physician and academic who played a crucial role in establishing modern medical education in the country.

Other notable individuals with the HERATH surname include Gamini Herath (1948-2020), a celebrated Sri Lankan cricketer who represented his national team in the 1970s and 1980s, and Lal Herath (born 1956), a renowned Sri Lankan artist and sculptor whose works have been exhibited worldwide.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Herath surname: questions and answers

How common is the Herath surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016. That gives Herath a modern rank of #23,293.

What does the Herath surname mean?

An inherited family name originating from Sri Lanka, possibly denoting a skilled warrior or a person of high social status.

What does the Herath map show?

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