NameCensus.

UK surname

Irani

A surname referring to someone from Iran.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Irani is 242 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

241

2016, ranked #17,233

Peak year

2014

242 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 241 in 2016, ranked #17,233.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Irani surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Irani surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Irani 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 3 #33,861
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 200 #17,618
1998 modern 208 #17,693
1999 modern 215 #17,425
2000 modern 216 #17,340
2001 modern 217 #17,059
2002 modern 223 #17,099
2003 modern 220 #17,033
2004 modern 221 #17,066
2005 modern 220 #17,078
2006 modern 208 #17,835
2007 modern 217 #17,520
2008 modern 230 #17,033
2009 modern 227 #17,544
2010 modern 234 #17,544
2011 modern 232 #17,481
2012 modern 228 #17,584
2013 modern 238 #17,354
2014 modern 242 #17,285
2015 modern 237 #17,413
2016 modern 241 #17,233

Geography

Back to top

Where Iranis 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 Spelthorne, Harrow, Bolton, South Bucks 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 Spelthorne 009 Spelthorne
2 Harrow 021 Harrow
3 Bolton 002 Bolton
4 South Bucks 002 South Bucks
5 Brent 017 Brent

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Irani

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Irani, 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 Irani surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Irani 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, Irani 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

Irani 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

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

Meaning and origin of Irani

The surname Irani is of Persian origin, deriving from the word "Iran," which means "the land of the Aryans" in Persian. The name is believed to have its roots in the ancient Persian Empire, which spanned across various regions of modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.

One of the earliest known references to the name Irani can be found in the ancient Persian texts, particularly in the Shahnameh, a literary masterpiece written by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. The epic poem mentions various characters with the surname Irani, suggesting its widespread use during that era.

In the medieval period, the name Irani appeared in several historical records, including the writings of Persian scholars and travelers. One notable figure was Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, a renowned Persian scholar and polymath who lived from 973 to 1048 CE. He was known for his contributions to various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and geography.

During the Safavid Dynasty, which ruled Persia from 1501 to 1736, the surname Irani gained further prominence. Several influential figures from this period bore the name, including Mirza Mohammad Khan Irani, a prominent military commander and statesman who lived in the 17th century.

Another notable individual with the surname Irani was Mirza Reza Irani, a renowned Persian calligrapher and artist who lived in the 18th century. His exquisite calligraphic works and paintings are still celebrated and preserved in various museums around the world.

In the 19th century, the name Irani continued to be associated with notable figures from the region. One such individual was Mirza Mohammad Reza Irani, a prominent Persian diplomat and statesman who served as the ambassador to several European countries during the Qajar Dynasty.

Over the centuries, variations of the name Irani have also emerged, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural influences within the region. Some of these variations include Irani, Erani, and Eirani, among others.

It is important to note that while the surname Irani is predominantly associated with individuals of Persian descent, it has also been adopted by individuals from other ethnic and cultural backgrounds, particularly those with connections to the Persian cultural sphere or the Iranian region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Irani surname: questions and answers

How common is the Irani surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 241 in 2016. That gives Irani a modern rank of #17,233.

What does the Irani surname mean?

A surname referring to someone from Iran.

What does the Irani map show?

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