NameCensus.

UK surname

Irshad

A surname of Arabic origin meaning guidance or spiritual instruction.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Oldham, Stockport and Teignbridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Irshad is 672 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

672

2016, ranked #7,966

Peak year

2016

672 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 672 in 2016, ranked #7,966.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Irshad surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Irshad surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Irshad 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
1997 modern 248 #15,363
1998 modern 289 #14,208
1999 modern 302 #13,895
2000 modern 334 #12,980
2001 modern 340 #12,620
2002 modern 382 #11,839
2003 modern 399 #11,284
2004 modern 434 #10,619
2005 modern 474 #9,826
2006 modern 512 #9,319
2007 modern 556 #8,828
2008 modern 562 #8,812
2009 modern 609 #8,494
2010 modern 655 #8,190
2011 modern 633 #8,333
2012 modern 641 #8,147
2013 modern 655 #8,163
2014 modern 658 #8,175
2015 modern 661 #8,092
2016 modern 672 #7,966

Geography

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Where Irshads 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 Oldham, Stockport, Teignbridge, Pendle and Cardiff. 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 Oldham 035 Oldham
2 Stockport 034 Stockport
3 Teignbridge 015 Teignbridge
4 Pendle 010 Pendle
5 Cardiff 030 Cardiff

Forenames

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First names often paired with Irshad

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Irshad

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Irshad is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Irshad 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

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

Meaning and origin of Irshad

The surname IRSHAD originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Islamic culture of the Middle East. The name is derived from the Arabic word "irshad," which means "guidance" or "instruction." It first emerged as a surname during the medieval period, primarily among Arab communities in regions like the Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia, and parts of North Africa.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the IRSHAD surname can be found in historical texts from the 9th century, during the Abbasid Caliphate. It was often associated with individuals who were scholars, religious leaders, or those involved in spreading Islamic teachings and knowledge.

In the 11th century, the IRSHAD surname gained prominence in Persia (modern-day Iran) and parts of Central Asia, where it was borne by several notable figures. One such individual was Abu Nasr al-Irshadi (995-1089), a renowned Persian scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of logic, metaphysics, and ethics.

As the Islamic empires expanded, the IRSHAD surname spread to other regions, including the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. In the 13th century, the name was associated with Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325), a revered Sufi saint and spiritual leader from Delhi, who played a pivotal role in the spread of Islamic mysticism in South Asia.

Another notable figure bearing the IRSHAD surname was Abul Fazl Allami (1551-1602), a renowned scholar, historian, and vizier in the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. His works, such as the "Akbarnama" and "Ain-i-Akbari," provide invaluable insights into the Mughal Empire and its cultural and administrative practices.

In the 19th century, the IRSHAD surname gained prominence in the Ottoman Empire, where it was associated with several influential scholars and intellectuals. One such figure was Ismail Haqqi al-Irshadi (1826-1888), a renowned Ottoman scholar and writer who contributed significantly to the fields of Islamic jurisprudence and theology.

Over the centuries, the IRSHAD surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including religious leaders, scholars, writers, and intellectuals. While the name has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has since become a part of the diverse tapestry of surnames found across the Middle East, South Asia, and other regions influenced by Islamic civilization.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Irshad surname: questions and answers

How common is the Irshad surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 672 in 2016. That gives Irshad a modern rank of #7,966.

What does the Irshad surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning guidance or spiritual instruction.

What does the Irshad map show?

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