NameCensus.

UK surname

Kaji

From Japanese, meaning "samurai assistant" or "humble, meek".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees, Leicester and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kaji is 118 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

118

2016, ranked #27,873

Peak year

2016

118 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016, ranked #27,873.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Kaji surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kaji surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Kaji 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 53 #32,329
1998 modern 54 #32,518
1999 modern 64 #31,692
2000 modern 71 #31,082
2001 modern 70 #31,016
2002 modern 81 #30,294
2003 modern 88 #29,506
2004 modern 88 #29,758
2005 modern 93 #29,133
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 99 #28,852
2008 modern 97 #29,527
2009 modern 97 #30,076
2010 modern 95 #31,000
2011 modern 98 #30,384
2012 modern 113 #28,016
2013 modern 112 #28,675
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 114 #28,478
2016 modern 118 #27,873

Geography

Back to top

Where Kajis 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 Kirklees, Leicester and Hackney. 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 Kirklees 013 Kirklees
2 Kirklees 007 Kirklees
3 Kirklees 010 Kirklees
4 Leicester 021 Leicester
5 Hackney 011 Hackney

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Kaji

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Kaji

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kaji is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kaji 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

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

Meaning and origin of Kaji

The surname "KAJI" is of Japanese origin, traced back to the 8th century. It is believed to have derived from the Japanese word "kaji," which means "fire" or "blaze." This suggests that the name may have originally been given to those who worked with fire, such as blacksmiths or potters.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Shoku Nihongi, an early Japanese chronicle from the 8th century, which mentions a person named Kaji no Ayamaro. This individual was a high-ranking court official during the reign of Emperor Shōmu.

During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the Kaji clan was a prominent samurai family in the Kanto region of Japan. They served as vassals to the Hojo clan, who were the de facto rulers of Japan during this time. One notable figure was Kaji Michimasa (1240-1305), a skilled warrior and military strategist who played a key role in several battles.

In the late 16th century, the name appears in the records of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, which was a time of great cultural and political change in Japan. Kaji Nobukane (1540-1607) was a skilled architect who designed several castles and temples, including the famous Osaka Castle.

In more recent times, the name has been associated with various artists and academics. Kaji Atsushi (1904-1942) was a renowned Japanese painter and printmaker who was part of the avant-garde art movement in the early 20th century. Kaji Motojiro (1889-1932) was a pioneering Japanese archaeologist who made significant contributions to the study of ancient Japanese cultures.

Another notable figure was Kaji Wataru (1910-1986), a renowned Japanese writer and playwright. His plays often explored themes of social injustice and the human condition, and he was awarded the prestigious Naoki Prize in 1959 for his novel "Natsu no Matsuri" (Summer Festival).

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the surname "KAJI," highlighting its rich cultural heritage and diverse associations within Japanese society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kaji surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kaji surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 118 in 2016. That gives Kaji a modern rank of #27,873.

What does the Kaji surname mean?

From Japanese, meaning "samurai assistant" or "humble, meek".

What does the Kaji map show?

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