NameCensus.

UK surname

Kapoor

An occupational surname referring to a cotton or cloth merchant, trader, or seller in South Asia.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kapoor is 1,876 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,874

2016, ranked #3,395

Peak year

2015

1,876 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,874 in 2016, ranked #3,395.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Kapoor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kapoor surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kapoor 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 4 #33,628
1997 modern 799 #6,544
1998 modern 848 #6,452
1999 modern 896 #6,222
2000 modern 916 #6,097
2001 modern 921 #5,972
2002 modern 992 #5,732
2003 modern 1,064 #5,317
2004 modern 1,105 #5,167
2005 modern 1,228 #4,667
2006 modern 1,345 #4,326
2007 modern 1,472 #4,065
2008 modern 1,546 #3,914
2009 modern 1,559 #3,972
2010 modern 1,726 #3,697
2011 modern 1,729 #3,641
2012 modern 1,781 #3,515
2013 modern 1,850 #3,450
2014 modern 1,867 #3,448
2015 modern 1,876 #3,400
2016 modern 1,874 #3,395

Geography

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Where Kapoors 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 Hounslow and Ealing. 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 Hounslow 004 Hounslow
2 Hounslow 021 Hounslow
3 Ealing 037 Ealing
4 Ealing 017 Ealing
5 Hounslow 017 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kapoor

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

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

Kapoor 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

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

Meaning and origin of Kapoor

The surname Kapoor is a Hindu Brahmin name that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have its roots in the Sanskrit word "Kapoor" which means "camphor" or "fragrance." The name is predominantly found in northern India, particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.

The earliest known reference to the name Kapoor can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it was used as a title or honorific for individuals belonging to the priestly class. The name gained prominence during the medieval period when members of the Kapoor family held influential positions in various royal courts across northern India.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kapoor can be found in the writings of the 16th-century Mughal historian, Abul Fazl, who mentions a prominent Brahmin family by the name of Kapoor in his work, the Akbarnama. This family was known for their scholarly pursuits and held significant influence during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

In the 17th century, the Kapoor family gained further recognition when Raj Kapoor, a renowned scholar and astronomer, served as the chief minister to the Maharaja of Jaipur. Raj Kapoor's contributions to the field of astronomy and his literary works are still widely studied and celebrated today.

Another notable figure with the surname Kapoor was Prithviraj Kapoor, a pioneering actor and director in the Indian film industry. Born in 1906, Prithviraj Kapoor is considered one of the founding fathers of Hindi cinema and played a pivotal role in shaping the early years of Bollywood. His legacy continues through his descendants, including the renowned actors Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, and Rishi Kapoor.

The Kapoor surname has also been associated with several historical places and landmarks. For instance, the Kapoor Haveli, a magnificent haveli (mansion) located in Peshawar, Pakistan, was built in the 18th century by a wealthy Kapoor family and stands as a testament to their architectural patronage.

Throughout history, the Kapoor surname has been alternatively spelled as Kapur, Kapoor, or Kapoor, reflecting regional variations and linguistic influences. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remain rooted in the ancient Sanskrit word "Kapoor," signifying its deep-seated connection to the rich cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kapoor surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kapoor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,874 in 2016. That gives Kapoor a modern rank of #3,395.

What does the Kapoor surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a cotton or cloth merchant, trader, or seller in South Asia.

What does the Kapoor map show?

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