NameCensus.

UK surname

Kamel

A surname derived from the Arabic word for camel.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kamel is 233 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

232

2016, ranked #17,694

Peak year

2014

233 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 232 in 2016, ranked #17,694.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Kamel surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kamel surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kamel 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 1 #34,435
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 78 #29,785
1998 modern 88 #29,131
1999 modern 99 #27,906
2000 modern 101 #27,555
2001 modern 104 #26,765
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 127 #24,019
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 146 #22,146
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 172 #20,321
2008 modern 178 #20,094
2009 modern 188 #19,797
2010 modern 200 #19,457
2011 modern 197 #19,483
2012 modern 209 #18,659
2013 modern 225 #18,027
2014 modern 233 #17,707
2015 modern 231 #17,733
2016 modern 232 #17,694

Geography

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Where Kamels 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 Westminster, Sefton, West Lancashire and Brent. 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 Westminster 002 Westminster
2 Sefton 004 Sefton
3 West Lancashire 005 West Lancashire
4 West Lancashire 012 West Lancashire
5 Brent 030 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kamel

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Kamel surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kamel 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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, Kamel 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

Kamel 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

Kamel falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kamel is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
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 Kamel, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kamel

The surname Kamel is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "jamal" which means "camel" in Arabic. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East during the medieval period, particularly in regions where camel trading and transportation played a significant role in the economy and culture.

The name Kamel is thought to have initially been used as a descriptive nickname for individuals who worked with camels, such as camel herders, traders, or those involved in camel-related industries. Over time, these nicknames became hereditary surnames passed down through generations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kamel can be found in the "Kitab al-Aghani" (Book of Songs), a renowned collection of Arabic poetry and biographical accounts compiled in the 9th century. It mentions several individuals with the surname Kamel, suggesting its use during the Abbasid Caliphate era.

In the 11th century, the famous Arab philosopher and polymath Al-Ghazali (1058-1111) had a student named Abu Bakr al-Kamel, indicating the prevalence of the name in scholarly circles during that time period.

During the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt and Syria (1250-1517), the name Kamel gained prominence as several members of the ruling elite bore this surname. One notable figure was Kamel al-Din al-Sanjari (1301-1376), a prominent scholar and writer who served as the Chief Qadi (Judge) of Damascus.

In the 14th century, the name Kamel also appeared in the Moroccan city of Fez, where a family of scholars and religious leaders carried this surname. One of the most renowned members was Abu al-Qasim al-Kamel (1349-1422), a renowned Islamic jurist and scholar.

Another notable figure with the surname Kamel was Mustafa Kamel (1874-1908), an Egyptian nationalist and political leader who played a significant role in the Egyptian struggle for independence from British rule in the early 20th century.

While the name Kamel has its roots in the Arab world, it has since spread to other regions and cultures through migration and cultural exchange. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the Middle Eastern and Islamic traditions, reflecting the importance of camels in the region's history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kamel surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kamel surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 232 in 2016. That gives Kamel a modern rank of #17,694.

What does the Kamel surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word for camel.

What does the Kamel map show?

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