NameCensus.

UK surname

Khair

An Arabic surname meaning goodness, prosperity, or blessing.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Khair is 159 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

154

2016, ranked #23,293

Peak year

2013

159 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016, ranked #23,293.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Khair surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Khair surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Khair 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
1997 modern 65 #31,141
1998 modern 73 #30,681
1999 modern 80 #30,152
2000 modern 84 #29,706
2001 modern 84 #29,508
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 99 #27,871
2004 modern 105 #27,181
2005 modern 115 #25,702
2006 modern 115 #25,969
2007 modern 119 #25,747
2008 modern 125 #25,249
2009 modern 145 #23,473
2010 modern 153 #23,175
2011 modern 149 #23,408
2012 modern 157 #22,551
2013 modern 159 #22,706
2014 modern 153 #23,537
2015 modern 153 #23,413
2016 modern 154 #23,293

Geography

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Where Khairs 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, Tower Hamlets, Bromley and Hillingdon. 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 Tower Hamlets 019 Tower Hamlets
3 Bromley 008 Bromley
4 Hillingdon 004 Hillingdon
5 Bromley 021 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Khair

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Khair is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

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

Khair 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

Khair 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 Khair is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
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 Khair, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Khair

The surname "KHAIR" has its origins in the Arabic language and can be traced back to the Middle East region. It is believed to have originated in the 7th or 8th century during the early Islamic era.

The word "Khair" in Arabic means "goodness" or "well-being." It is derived from the root word "kh-y-r," which carries connotations of prosperity, excellence, and virtue. This name was likely given to individuals who embodied these qualities or were known for their good deeds and character.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname KHAIR can be found in historical documents from the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled over a significant portion of the Middle East and North Africa from the 8th to the 13th century. During this period, the name appeared in various administrative records and trade documents.

In the 12th century, a renowned scholar and philosopher named Abu'l-Khair al-Isfahani (born 1092 - died 1162) gained prominence in the city of Isfahan, which was a center of learning and culture at the time. His works on philosophy and theology were widely circulated and studied throughout the Islamic world.

Another notable figure bearing the surname KHAIR was Khair al-Din al-Ramli (1472 - 1555), a renowned Islamic jurist and scholar from the Ottoman Empire. He authored numerous works on Islamic jurisprudence and played a significant role in shaping the legal system of the Ottoman Empire.

During the 16th century, a Sufi mystic and poet named Khair al-Din Balkhi (1475 - 1542) gained fame in the city of Herat, which was then part of the Persian Empire. His poetic works, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and divine wisdom, were widely appreciated and celebrated.

In the 19th century, a notable figure named Khair al-Din al-Tunisi (1810 - 1890) emerged as a statesman and reformer in Tunisia. He played a crucial role in modernizing the country and advocating for social and educational reforms during his time as a prime minister and adviser to the Bey of Tunis.

As the name KHAIR spread across the Middle East and North Africa, it also took on various local variations and spellings, such as "Khayri," "Khairi," and "Khairy." These variations reflect the linguistic diversity and regional influences within the Arabic-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Khair surname: questions and answers

How common is the Khair surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 154 in 2016. That gives Khair a modern rank of #23,293.

What does the Khair surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning goodness, prosperity, or blessing.

What does the Khair map show?

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