NameCensus.

UK surname

Kalu

A surname of Gujarati origin meaning black or dark-complexioned person.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackburn with Darwen, Haringey and Coventry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kalu is 279 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

274

2016, ranked #15,759

Peak year

2012

279 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 274 in 2016, ranked #15,759.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Kalu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kalu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kalu 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
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 108 #25,788
1998 modern 120 #24,793
1999 modern 119 #25,095
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 124 #24,114
2002 modern 132 #23,680
2003 modern 143 #22,367
2004 modern 162 #20,756
2005 modern 170 #20,066
2006 modern 187 #19,079
2007 modern 213 #17,744
2008 modern 223 #17,395
2009 modern 255 #16,183
2010 modern 273 #15,764
2011 modern 265 #15,980
2012 modern 279 #15,289
2013 modern 276 #15,683
2014 modern 277 #15,734
2015 modern 279 #15,527
2016 modern 274 #15,759

Geography

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Where Kalus 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 Blackburn with Darwen, Haringey, Coventry, Barnet and Nuneaton and Bedworth. 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 Blackburn with Darwen 007 Blackburn with Darwen
2 Haringey 036 Haringey
3 Coventry 024 Coventry
4 Barnet 018 Barnet
5 Nuneaton and Bedworth 005 Nuneaton and Bedworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kalu

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kalu

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Kalu surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Kalu 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Kalu is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kalu 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

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

Meaning and origin of Kalu

The surname KALU originated in India, with its earliest known records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "kalu," which means "black" or "dark-skinned." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to describe a person's physical appearance.

KALU is predominantly found in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan in western India. It is particularly prevalent among the Maratha and Rajput communities, who were historically influential warrior clans and rulers in this region.

One of the earliest known references to the name KALU can be found in the Marathi language literary work "Bharud Ramayan," written by the renowned poet Bhushan in the 16th century. The work mentions a character named Kalu Maharaj, who was a notable figure in the court of the Maratha king Shivaji.

In the 17th century, the name KALU appeared in various Persian and Marathi manuscripts, including court records and land grants. One notable bearer of the name was Kalu Parab, a military commander who served under the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680).

During the 18th and 19th centuries, several individuals with the surname KALU gained prominence in various fields. Kalu Ram (1783-1856) was a renowned painter and calligrapher from Rajasthan, known for his intricate miniature paintings. Kalu Singh (1801-1876) was a distinguished soldier and ruler of the princely state of Alwar in Rajasthan.

In the 20th century, Kalu Bhai Desai (1914-1991) was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social activist from Gujarat, known for his work in promoting rural development and empowering marginalized communities.

Other notable individuals with the surname KALU include Kalu Sahai (1837-1902), a writer and scholar from Uttar Pradesh, and Kalu Lal Sehgal (1900-1972), a famous Indian revolutionary and leftist activist who fought against British colonial rule.

While the surname KALU is most commonly found in India, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance can be traced back to the western regions of the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kalu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kalu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 274 in 2016. That gives Kalu a modern rank of #15,759.

What does the Kalu surname mean?

A surname of Gujarati origin meaning black or dark-complexioned person.

What does the Kalu map show?

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