NameCensus.

UK surname

Kemal

A Turkish surname meaning "perfection" or "beautiful."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Enfield, Southwark and Islington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kemal is 554 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

544

2016, ranked #9,364

Peak year

2010

554 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 544 in 2016, ranked #9,364.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Kemal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kemal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kemal 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 2 #34,436
1997 modern 368 #11,719
1998 modern 386 #11,668
1999 modern 399 #11,463
2000 modern 420 #10,998
2001 modern 409 #11,032
2002 modern 427 #10,900
2003 modern 454 #10,222
2004 modern 488 #9,675
2005 modern 505 #9,379
2006 modern 508 #9,369
2007 modern 520 #9,284
2008 modern 532 #9,195
2009 modern 540 #9,294
2010 modern 554 #9,312
2011 modern 528 #9,572
2012 modern 513 #9,684
2013 modern 541 #9,459
2014 modern 536 #9,579
2015 modern 537 #9,505
2016 modern 544 #9,364

Geography

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Where Kemals 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 Enfield, Southwark and Islington. 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 Enfield 029 Enfield
2 Enfield 035 Enfield
3 Enfield 023 Enfield
4 Southwark 015 Southwark
5 Islington 012 Islington

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kemal

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

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

Kemal 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

Kemal 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 Kemal 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
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kemal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kemal

The surname KEMAL is of Turkish origin, tracing its roots back to the 14th century Ottoman Empire. It originates from the Turkish word "kemal," which means "perfection" or "excellence," and was likely bestowed upon individuals who exhibited exceptional qualities or achievements.

In the early days of the Ottoman Empire, surnames were not commonly used, and individuals were often identified by their given names, patronymics, or descriptive nicknames. The adoption of hereditary surnames began to gain traction during the 16th century, and KEMAL emerged as a prominent surname among the Turkish population.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname KEMAL can be found in the Ottoman court records of the 16th century, where it was associated with prominent figures in various fields, such as scholars, poets, and military leaders. The name's association with excellence and achievement likely contributed to its popularity among the Ottoman elite.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname KEMAL. One of the most prominent figures was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of modern Turkey and its first president. Atatürk, whose surname means "Father of the Turks," played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Turkish Republic and the modernization of the country.

Another notable figure was Yahya Kemal Beyatlı (1884-1958), a renowned Turkish poet and writer who was instrumental in the development of the Turkish literary movement known as the National Literature Movement. His works were deeply influenced by the rich cultural heritage of Turkey and played a significant role in shaping the modern Turkish literary landscape.

In the field of science, Fuat Kemal Gürkan (1905-1949) was a pioneering Turkish physicist who made significant contributions to the study of nuclear physics. He was one of the first Turkish scientists to conduct research in the field of nuclear fission and played a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge in Turkey.

The name KEMAL has also been associated with prominent figures in other fields, such as Nâzım Hikmet Kemal (1902-1963), a renowned Turkish poet and playwright whose works were influential in the development of modern Turkish literature and culture.

While the surname KEMAL has its origins in Turkey, it has also gained recognition globally, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields across different countries and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kemal surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kemal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 544 in 2016. That gives Kemal a modern rank of #9,364.

What does the Kemal surname mean?

A Turkish surname meaning "perfection" or "beautiful."

What does the Kemal map show?

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