NameCensus.

UK surname

Ishak

A surname derived from the Hebrew name "Yitzchak", meaning "he laughs".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ishak is 126 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

126

2016, ranked #26,686

Peak year

2016

126 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016, ranked #26,686.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ishak surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ishak surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ishak 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 61 #31,526
1998 modern 67 #31,282
1999 modern 60 #32,078
2000 modern 52 #32,916
2001 modern 59 #32,080
2002 modern 76 #30,830
2003 modern 73 #31,186
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 80 #30,842
2006 modern 78 #31,385
2007 modern 71 #32,484
2008 modern 85 #31,247
2009 modern 91 #30,944
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 119 #27,100
2013 modern 120 #27,406
2014 modern 123 #27,206
2015 modern 121 #27,405
2016 modern 126 #26,686

Geography

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Where Ishaks 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 Kensington and Chelsea 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 Kensington and Chelsea 012 Kensington and Chelsea
2 Westminster 015 Westminster
3 Kensington and Chelsea 013 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Westminster 007 Westminster
5 Westminster 019 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ishak

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ishak

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Ishak 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

Ishak 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

Ishak 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 Ishak is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
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 Ishak, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ishak

The surname ISHAK originated in the Middle East, specifically in the Arab world, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Arabic name Ishaq, which is the Arabic form of the biblical name Isaac. The name Ishaq has its roots in the Hebrew language and means "he will laugh."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ISHAK can be found in the chronicles of the Fatimid Caliphate, which ruled over parts of North Africa and the Middle East from the 10th to the 12th century. In these chronicles, the name appears as a reference to individuals who held prominent positions within the caliphate's administration.

During the Mamluk Sultanate, which ruled over Egypt and the Levant from the 13th to the 16th century, the surname ISHAK was associated with several notable figures. Among them was Ishak al-Masri, a renowned physician and scholar who lived in the 13th century and authored several treatises on medicine and philosophy.

The name ISHAK also appeared in the records of the Ottoman Empire, which controlled vast territories across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe from the 14th to the 20th century. One notable bearer of the surname was Ishak Pasha, a high-ranking military commander who served in the Ottoman army during the 16th century.

In the realm of literature, the surname ISHAK is associated with Ishak Musa al-Husayni, a Palestinian poet and scholar who lived in the 17th century. His works, which celebrated Arab culture and heritage, were widely acclaimed and continue to be studied by scholars of Arabic literature.

Another notable figure bearing the surname ISHAK was Ishak Efendi, an Ottoman calligrapher and artist who lived in the 18th century. His exquisite calligraphic works adorned numerous mosques and palaces throughout the Ottoman Empire, and he is considered one of the most skilled calligraphers of his time.

While the surname ISHAK has its roots in the Arab world, it has since spread to other regions through migration and cultural exchange. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in various parts of the world, carrying with them the rich cultural heritage and historical significance associated with this ancient name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ishak surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ishak surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 126 in 2016. That gives Ishak a modern rank of #26,686.

What does the Ishak surname mean?

A surname derived from the Hebrew name "Yitzchak", meaning "he laughs".

What does the Ishak map show?

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