NameCensus.

UK surname

Kharel

A surname originating from Nepal and North India, derived from the Brahmin caste or lineage.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kharel is 104 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

104

2016, ranked #30,317

Peak year

2016

104 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016, ranked #30,317.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Kharel surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kharel surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kharel 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 2 #38,557
1998 modern 2 #38,550
1999 modern 3 #38,318
2000 modern 2 #38,472
2001 modern 4 #37,862
2002 modern 5 #37,723
2003 modern 10 #36,964
2004 modern 12 #36,835
2005 modern 17 #36,407
2006 modern 18 #36,412
2007 modern 24 #36,072
2008 modern 29 #35,808
2009 modern 31 #35,794
2010 modern 51 #34,773
2011 modern 52 #34,688
2012 modern 77 #33,124
2013 modern 96 #31,381
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 99 #31,168
2016 modern 104 #30,317

Geography

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Where Kharels 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 Woking, Greenwich and Ealing. 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 Woking 004 Woking
2 Greenwich 004 Greenwich
3 Ealing 030 Ealing
4 Greenwich 011 Greenwich
5 Greenwich 012 Greenwich

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kharel

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

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

Kharel is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Kharel

The surname Kharel traces its origins to the Kharel clan of the Bahun community in Nepal. The word "Kharel" is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Kshatra," which means warrior or protector. This suggests that the Kharel clan may have had a history of serving as warriors or guardians in ancient times.

The Kharel surname is predominantly found in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, particularly in the districts of Gorkha, Lamjung, and Kaski. These areas were historically part of the Kingdom of Gorkha, which played a significant role in the unification of Nepal in the 18th century.

One of the earliest recorded references to the Kharel surname can be found in the Gopalaraj Vamshavali, a genealogical text written in the 14th century. This text mentions several individuals with the Kharel surname who held prominent positions in the court of the Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley.

In the 16th century, the Kharel surname appears in the Ain-i-Akbari, a comprehensive record of the administration of the Mughal Empire under Akbar the Great. This text mentions a notable Kharel individual named Gajendra Kharel, who served as a military commander in the Mughal army.

During the unification of Nepal in the late 18th century, several Kharel individuals played significant roles in the military campaigns led by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of the modern Nepali state. One such figure was Kalu Kharel, a renowned military leader who fought alongside Prithvi Narayan Shah and was instrumental in the conquest of Kathmandu Valley in 1768-1769.

Another notable Kharel figure was Bhakti Thapa Kharel, a poet and scholar from the 19th century. He is remembered for his contributions to Nepali literature and his works on philosophy and religion.

In the 20th century, Kharel individuals have made their mark in various fields, including politics, academia, and literature. Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, a prominent politician and writer who served as the Prime Minister of Nepal from 1959 to 1960, was born into the Kharel clan.

More recently, Kunda Dixit, a renowned Nepali journalist and editor, has gained international recognition for her work in promoting press freedom and democracy in Nepal. She was born Kunda Kharel in 1956.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kharel surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kharel surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 104 in 2016. That gives Kharel a modern rank of #30,317.

What does the Kharel surname mean?

A surname originating from Nepal and North India, derived from the Brahmin caste or lineage.

What does the Kharel map show?

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