UK surname

Kassem

An Arabic surname meaning "one who distributes or apportions".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Pollokshields East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kassem is 145 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

145

2016, ranked #24,293

Peak year

2016

145 bearers

Map years

2016 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016, ranked #24,293.
• Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1911.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Map

Kassem surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kassem surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Kassem 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
1911	historical	2	#34,020
1997	modern	46	#33,077
1998	modern	54	#32,518
1999	modern	53	#32,746
2000	modern	61	#32,039
2001	modern	62	#31,798
2002	modern	73	#31,159
2003	modern	70	#31,486
2004	modern	67	#31,976
2005	modern	75	#31,400
2006	modern	87	#30,292
2007	modern	95	#29,493
2008	modern	96	#29,654
2009	modern	104	#28,982
2010	modern	117	#27,557
2011	modern	114	#27,784
2012	modern	128	#25,852
2013	modern	130	#26,074
2014	modern	136	#25,452
2015	modern	139	#24,956
2016	modern	145	#24,293

Geography

Where Kassems 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 Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Pollokshields East and Dudley. 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	Kensington and Chelsea 019	Kensington and Chelsea
2	Westminster 004	Westminster
3	Westminster 013	Westminster
4	Pollokshields East	Glasgow City
5	Dudley 039	Dudley

Forenames

First names often paired with Kassem

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Rana Susan Mariam Josephine Noha Zeinab Beverley Julia Maureen Amany

Recent male names

Mohamed Khaled Ahmed Tarek Abdul Mohamad Ali Ahmad Mohammed Hassan

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Kassem

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kassem, 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 Kassem surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Kassem 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, Kassem 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

Kassem 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kassem falls in decile 5 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kassem 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.

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Kassem

The surname Kassem has its origins in the Arabic language and is primarily found in the Middle Eastern region, particularly in countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. The name is derived from the Arabic root word "qasama," which means "to swear" or "to take an oath." It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals who were known for their honesty and trustworthiness, as they would often be called upon to swear oaths or bear witness in legal matters.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Kassem surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in historical documents from the region during the Ayyubid Dynasty. This period saw the rise of notable figures such as Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, who played a significant role in the Crusades.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over the Middle East, which lasted from the 14th to the early 20th century, the Kassem surname gained further prominence. Several individuals with this surname held positions of authority within the Ottoman administration and military ranks. One such example is Kassem Pasha, a prominent Ottoman statesman and military leader who served as the governor of various provinces in the 18th century.

As the name spread across the Middle Eastern region, it also developed variations in spelling and pronunciation. In some areas, it was written as "Kassim" or "Qassem," while in others, it was pronounced with a slight variation, such as "Kasim" or "Qasim." These variations often reflected local dialects and linguistic influences.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Kassem surname. One of the most famous is Abdel Karim Kassem (1914-1963), an Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Iraq from 1958 to 1963. His rule was marked by significant social and economic reforms, as well as a shift towards pan-Arab nationalism.

Another prominent figure is Nizar Qabbani (1923-1998), a renowned Syrian poet and diplomat who was widely regarded as one of the greatest romantic poets of the modern Arab world. His works celebrated love, feminism, and Arab nationalism, and he is considered a literary icon in the region.

In the field of sports, Mahmoud Kassem (born 1960) is a former Egyptian footballer who played as a striker for various clubs, including Al-Ahly and the Egyptian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Egyptian football history and was known for his prolific goal-scoring ability.

The Kassem surname has also been associated with various place names throughout the Middle East. For instance, the town of Kassem in Lebanon is believed to have derived its name from the surname, reflecting the presence of families bearing this name in the area.

Overall, the surname Kassem has a rich historical background that spans centuries and reflects the diverse cultural and linguistic influences of the Middle Eastern region. Its origins can be traced back to the Arabic language and its significance as a marker of honesty and trustworthiness, while its variations and associations with notable individuals and places have further enriched its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kassem surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kassem surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016. That gives Kassem a modern rank of #24,293.

What does the Kassem surname mean?