NameCensus.

UK surname

Idris

A Muslim surname derived from the Arabic name Idris.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Blackburn with Darwen and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Idris is 798 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

798

2016, ranked #6,931

Peak year

2016

798 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 798 in 2016, ranked #6,931.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Idris surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Idris surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Idris 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 1 #34,435
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 341 #12,407
1998 modern 376 #11,918
1999 modern 390 #11,660
2000 modern 390 #11,623
2001 modern 406 #11,096
2002 modern 466 #10,151
2003 modern 482 #9,755
2004 modern 512 #9,352
2005 modern 552 #8,759
2006 modern 572 #8,587
2007 modern 603 #8,319
2008 modern 671 #7,721
2009 modern 695 #7,682
2010 modern 762 #7,301
2011 modern 756 #7,261
2012 modern 759 #7,156
2013 modern 784 #7,085
2014 modern 790 #7,078
2015 modern 769 #7,160
2016 modern 798 #6,931

Geography

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Where Idris' 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 Kirklees, Blackburn with Darwen, Kensington and Chelsea and Lambeth. 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 Kirklees 024 Kirklees
2 Blackburn with Darwen 002 Blackburn with Darwen
3 Kensington and Chelsea 009 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Kirklees 023 Kirklees
5 Lambeth 011 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Idris

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Idris

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Idris surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Idris household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Idris is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

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

Idris 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

Idris falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Idris 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 Idris, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Idris

The surname Idris has its origins in Wales, dating back to the 6th century CE. It is derived from the Welsh name Idris, which itself is believed to come from the Old British name Idrys, meaning "ardent lord" or "fiery lord."

The earliest recorded use of the name Idris can be found in the writings of the medieval Welsh chronicler, Nennius, who mentions a prince named Idris Gawr (Idris the Giant) in his work, Historia Brittonum, written around 830 CE.

In the 13th century, the name appears in the Black Book of St. Davids, one of the earliest surviving manuscripts in the Welsh language, where it is spelled as "Ydris." This spelling variation highlights the fluidity of names during that period.

The surname Idris is closely associated with the Idris mountain range in Snowdonia National Park, Wales. It is said that the range was named after the aforementioned Prince Idris Gawr, who is believed to have lived in the area.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Idris was Ieuan Idris (c. 1510-1580), a Welsh poet and clergyman who served as the Rector of Llanymynech in Shropshire, England.

Another notable figure was Rhys Idris (c. 1570-1640), a Welsh lawyer and member of the House of Commons of England, who represented the borough of Caernarfon in the early 17th century.

In the 18th century, Evan Idris (1718-1785), a Welsh Anglican clergyman and author, made significant contributions to the study of Welsh history and literature through his writings.

The 19th century saw the rise of Sir William Idris (1811-1887), a Welsh industrialist and philanthropist who played a crucial role in the development of the steel industry in South Wales.

Lastly, one cannot overlook the influence of Idris Davies (1905-1953), a renowned Welsh poet and writer whose works explored themes of industrial life and the working class experience in Wales.

While the surname Idris may not be among the most common Welsh surnames today, it holds a rich historical significance, deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Wales, and has produced several notable figures throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Idris surname: questions and answers

How common is the Idris surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 798 in 2016. That gives Idris a modern rank of #6,931.

What does the Idris surname mean?

A Muslim surname derived from the Arabic name Idris.

What does the Idris map show?

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