NameCensus.

UK surname

Kapur

A surname of Hindu origin meaning camphor or the camphor tree.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kapur is 690 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

637

2016, ranked #8,304

Peak year

2010

690 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 637 in 2016, ranked #8,304.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Kapur surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kapur surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kapur 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 2 #34,135
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 421 #10,589
1998 modern 454 #10,338
1999 modern 469 #10,139
2000 modern 510 #9,485
2001 modern 506 #9,382
2002 modern 546 #9,029
2003 modern 585 #8,479
2004 modern 599 #8,361
2005 modern 618 #8,081
2006 modern 612 #8,161
2007 modern 638 #7,984
2008 modern 659 #7,830
2009 modern 651 #8,057
2010 modern 690 #7,864
2011 modern 666 #8,003
2012 modern 638 #8,175
2013 modern 657 #8,144
2014 modern 645 #8,316
2015 modern 653 #8,165
2016 modern 637 #8,304

Geography

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Where Kapurs 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 Oadby and Wigston, Ealing, Birmingham, Hillingdon and Windsor and Maidenhead. 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 Oadby and Wigston 009 Oadby and Wigston
2 Ealing 006 Ealing
3 Birmingham 133 Birmingham
4 Hillingdon 020 Hillingdon
5 Windsor and Maidenhead 011 Windsor and Maidenhead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kapur

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

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

Kapur 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

Kapur falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kapur 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 Kapur, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kapur

The surname "KAPUR" is of Indian origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Sanskrit language and culture. It is believed to have originated in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the states of Punjab and Haryana, during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "KAPUR" can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, where it is mentioned as a caste or occupational title. The word "Kapur" is derived from the Sanskrit term "Karpura," which refers to the camphor tree and its fragrant resin. It is speculated that the name was originally associated with individuals involved in the trade or production of camphor, a highly valued commodity in ancient times.

In the 12th century, the name "KAPUR" appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, particularly those related to the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. One notable figure bearing this name was Sher Shah Suri (1486-1545), a powerful Afghan ruler who briefly interrupted the Mughal dynasty and established the Sur Empire in northern India.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name "KAPUR" gained prominence among the Hindu Khatri community, which was known for its involvement in trade and business. Many successful merchants and traders from this community bore the surname "KAPUR," and their influence extended across various regions of the Indian subcontinent.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "KAPUR" was Rai Krishan Das Kapur (1685-1755), a renowned Hindu philosopher and spiritual leader who authored several texts on Vedanta and Sikhism. Another notable figure was Lala Harbhajan Singh Kapur (1857-1933), a prominent businessman and philanthropist who founded the iconic Kapur Talkies, one of the first movie theaters in Lahore, British India.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the surname "KAPUR" achieved distinction in various fields. Nayantara Sahgal (born 1927), a renowned Indian writer and niece of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, bears the maiden name "KAPUR." Shamsher Singh Kapur (1923-2015) was a renowned Punjabi film producer and director, known for his contributions to the Indian cinema industry.

Other notable figures with the surname "KAPUR" include Ravi Kapoor (born 1957), a celebrated Indian classical musician and sitar player, and Raj Kapur (1924-1988), a legendary actor, producer, and director who was instrumental in shaping the Indian film industry during the 1950s and 1960s.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kapur surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kapur surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 637 in 2016. That gives Kapur a modern rank of #8,304.

What does the Kapur surname mean?

A surname of Hindu origin meaning camphor or the camphor tree.

What does the Kapur map show?

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