NameCensus.

UK surname

Khalif

An Arabic surname derived from the word "khalīfah" meaning successor or deputy.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hillingdon, Southampton and Eastbourne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Khalif is 134 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

124

2016, ranked #26,975

Peak year

2012

134 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016, ranked #26,975.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Khalif surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Khalif surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Khalif 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 16 #36,292
1998 modern 20 #35,885
1999 modern 20 #35,923
2000 modern 17 #36,207
2001 modern 17 #36,053
2002 modern 26 #35,338
2003 modern 31 #34,957
2004 modern 39 #34,477
2005 modern 47 #34,011
2006 modern 51 #33,992
2007 modern 61 #33,440
2008 modern 77 #32,181
2009 modern 89 #31,235
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 111 #28,294
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 124 #26,842
2014 modern 125 #26,896
2015 modern 122 #27,245
2016 modern 124 #26,975

Geography

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Where Khalifs 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 Hillingdon, Southampton, Eastbourne and Brent. 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 Hillingdon 028 Hillingdon
2 Southampton 022 Southampton
3 Eastbourne 013 Eastbourne
4 Brent 010 Brent
5 Brent 021 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Khalif

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

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

Khalif 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

Khalif 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 Khalif is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
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 Khalif, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Khalif

The surname "KHALIF" is of Arabic origin and has its roots in the title "Caliph," which was the supreme religious and political leader of the Muslim world during the era of the Islamic caliphates. This name is derived from the Arabic word "Khalifa," meaning "successor" or "deputy."

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "KHALIF" can be traced back to the medieval Islamic world, particularly in regions where Arabic was the predominant language. It is believed that this name was initially adopted by individuals who held positions of authority or had a connection to the ruling caliphs or their administrations.

During the golden age of the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE), which was centered in Baghdad, the name "KHALIF" may have been used by scholars, officials, or members of the elite class who were closely associated with the caliphs. However, it is important to note that the use of surnames was not as widespread during this period as it is today.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "KHALIF" was Ibn al-Khalif al-Baghdadi (1162-1239 CE), a renowned Arabic calligrapher and scholar who lived during the Abbasid Caliphate. His works on calligraphy and poetry are highly regarded in the Islamic world.

Another notable figure was Al-Khalif Al-Fadl ibn Yahya al-Barmaki (766-808 CE), a powerful vizier (minister) during the reign of Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph. The Barmakids, the family to which Al-Khalif belonged, were influential advisors and administrators in the Abbasid court.

In later periods, the surname "KHALIF" spread beyond the Arabic-speaking world and was adopted by individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds who embraced Islam or had connections to Muslim communities. For example, Ibrahim Khalif Al-Zahawi (1859-1936) was a prominent Iraqi politician and poet who served as the Minister of Education in the early 20th century.

Additionally, Khalif Ahmad Khan (1817-1887) was a notable Indian Muslim aristocrat and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of the Princely State of Tonk in Rajasthan, India, during the 19th century.

In more recent times, the name "KHALIF" has been carried by individuals such as Fatima Khalif, an influential Egyptian feminist and writer who advocated for women's rights in the early 20th century, and Khaled Khalifa, a renowned Syrian novelist and scriptwriter whose works explore themes of identity and societal change in the Arab world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Khalif surname: questions and answers

How common is the Khalif surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016. That gives Khalif a modern rank of #26,975.

What does the Khalif surname mean?

An Arabic surname derived from the word "khalīfah" meaning successor or deputy.

What does the Khalif map show?

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