NameCensus.

UK surname

Jain

A surname of Indian origin referring to followers of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion that practices non-violence and asceticism.

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Jain surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,191, ranked #2,961, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cardiff, Hounslow and Croydon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jain is 2,191 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 72933.3%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

2,191

2016, ranked #2,961

Peak year

2016

2,191 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Jain had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,191 in 2016, ranked #2,961.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 59 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Jain surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jain surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jain 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 59 #26,466
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 59 #29,325
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 629 #7,868
1998 modern 676 #7,680
1999 modern 758 #7,087
2000 modern 801 #6,767
2001 modern 786 #6,738
2002 modern 898 #6,207
2003 modern 974 #5,712
2004 modern 1,095 #5,205
2005 modern 1,157 #4,917
2006 modern 1,303 #4,433
2007 modern 1,488 #4,026
2008 modern 1,596 #3,800
2009 modern 1,676 #3,728
2010 modern 1,861 #3,477
2011 modern 1,873 #3,415
2012 modern 2,008 #3,186
2013 modern 2,082 #3,138
2014 modern 2,133 #3,077
2015 modern 2,140 #3,033
2016 modern 2,191 #2,961

Geography

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Where Jains 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 Cardiff, Hounslow, Croydon, Leeds and Coventry. 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 Cardiff 032 Cardiff
2 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
3 Croydon 023 Croydon
4 Leeds 055 Leeds
5 Coventry 042 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jain

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

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

Jain 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

Jain 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 Jain 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Jain

The surname Jain is of Indian origin and is derived from the Sanskrit word "jina", which means "conqueror" or "victor". The name is associated with the Jain religious community, one of the oldest religions in India.

The Jain community traces its roots back to the 6th century BCE and the teachings of Mahavira, the last of the 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual leaders) revered by Jains. The name Jain is believed to have originated during this period as a way to identify those who followed the teachings of Mahavira and embraced the principles of non-violence, truthfulness, and non-possession.

Historically, the Jain community has been concentrated in various regions of India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. The surname Jain is particularly common among the Digambar and Shvetambar sects of Jainism.

One of the earliest known references to the name Jain can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and religious texts, such as the Puranas and the Upanishads, which mention the Jain community and their beliefs.

Some notable individuals with the surname Jain throughout history include:

1. Vimalasuri (5th century CE), a renowned Jain scholar and author of the Prakrit text "Paüma Cariya". 2. Haribhadra Suri (6th century CE), a prominent Jain philosopher and author of several influential works on Jain doctrine. 3. Siddharaj Jayasinh Jain (1619-1688), a wealthy Jain merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several Jain temples in India. 4. Virji Vithaldas Jain (1869-1929), a prominent industrialist and philanthropist who established the Virji Vithaldas Jain Sansthan, a charitable trust in Mumbai. 5. Lal Chand Jain (1869-1948), a Jain scholar and author who wrote extensively on Jain philosophy and literature.

The surname Jain has been associated with various place names and older spellings over time, reflecting the geographical spread of the Jain community across India. Some examples include Jainpura, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur, all of which have strong Jain influences and historical connections.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Jain families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Jain surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Warwickshire leads with 2 Jains recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.14x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 2 27.14x
Kent 1 10.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 2 Jains recorded in 1881 and an index of 81.30x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 2 81.30x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 1000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Jain surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Amelia 1
Louisa 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Jain surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Jain households.

FAQ

Jain surname: questions and answers

How common was the Jain surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Jain surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Jain surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,191 in 2016. That gives Jain a modern rank of #2,961.

What does the Jain surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin referring to followers of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion that practices non-violence and asceticism.

What does the Jain map show?

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