NameCensus.

UK surname

Jilani

An Arabic surname indicating a person from the region of Gilan.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Waltham Forest and Sheffield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Jilani is 250 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

236

2016, ranked #17,470

Peak year

2013

250 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 236 in 2016, ranked #17,470.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Jilani surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Jilani surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Jilani 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 118 #24,423
1998 modern 107 #26,555
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 126 #24,220
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 155 #21,431
2003 modern 161 #20,697
2004 modern 165 #20,530
2005 modern 177 #19,598
2006 modern 192 #18,753
2007 modern 192 #18,975
2008 modern 195 #18,958
2009 modern 221 #17,848
2010 modern 228 #17,844
2011 modern 239 #17,138
2012 modern 249 #16,572
2013 modern 250 #16,778
2014 modern 248 #16,991
2015 modern 240 #17,279
2016 modern 236 #17,470

Geography

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Where Jilanis 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 Manchester, Waltham Forest, Sheffield and Ribble Valley. 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 Manchester 027 Manchester
2 Waltham Forest 019 Waltham Forest
3 Sheffield 019 Sheffield
4 Ribble Valley 002 Ribble Valley
5 Waltham Forest 021 Waltham Forest

Forenames

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First names often paired with Jilani

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Jilani

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

Jilani 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

Jilani falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Jilani is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
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 Jilani, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Jilani

The surname JILANI originated in the Middle East and North Africa region, with its roots tracing back to the Arabic language. The name is believed to have derived from the word "Jilan," which means "the land of dates" or "date palm groves." This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have hailed from areas known for cultivating date palms, such as oases or fertile regions along rivers.

In the medieval period, the JILANI surname was particularly prevalent in regions that were part of the vast Islamic empires and caliphates. Historical records indicate that the name was found in regions like modern-day Iraq, Iran, and parts of North Africa, where Arabic culture and language had a significant influence.

One of the earliest known references to the JILANI name can be found in the writings of the renowned Islamic scholar and mystic, Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (1077-1166). He was a prominent Sufi saint and the founder of the Qadiri order, which became one of the most influential Sufi orders in the Islamic world. His teachings and writings had a profound impact on Islamic spirituality and mysticism.

Another notable figure bearing the JILANI surname was Mulla Sadra (1571-1640), also known as Sadruddin Muhammad al-Jilani. He was a prominent Persian philosopher, theologian, and mystic who made significant contributions to the development of Islamic philosophy and metaphysics. His works synthesized various strands of Islamic thought and influenced subsequent generations of scholars.

In the 16th century, the JILANI name appeared in records related to the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. One notable figure was Mir Jilani (1528-1591), a Persian-born military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire and was known for his military prowess and administrative abilities.

Another historical figure bearing the JILANI surname was Hafiz Muhammad Noor Jilani (1830-1910), a prominent Islamic scholar and judge from British India. He was renowned for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and played a significant role in the interpretation and application of Islamic law in the region.

Throughout history, the JILANI surname has been associated with various places and regions, reflecting the migration and dispersal of its bearers. Some variations of the name include Jelani, Gillani, and Jillani, which may have emerged due to regional dialects or transliterations from different languages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Jilani surname: questions and answers

How common is the Jilani surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 236 in 2016. That gives Jilani a modern rank of #17,470.

What does the Jilani surname mean?

An Arabic surname indicating a person from the region of Gilan.

What does the Jilani map show?

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