NameCensus.

UK surname

Khosa

A surname originating from India, possibly referring to an occupational caste or ethnic group.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Ealing and Richmond upon Thames.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Khosa is 175 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

154

2016, ranked #23,293

Peak year

2014

175 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 Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Khosa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Khosa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Khosa 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 89 #28,490
1998 modern 99 #27,785
1999 modern 107 #26,754
2000 modern 115 #25,591
2001 modern 113 #25,489
2002 modern 121 #24,984
2003 modern 112 #25,948
2004 modern 119 #25,200
2005 modern 123 #24,663
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 144 #22,804
2008 modern 145 #22,929
2009 modern 144 #23,577
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 166 #21,745
2012 modern 172 #21,219
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 175 #21,477
2015 modern 162 #22,509
2016 modern 154 #23,293

Geography

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Where Khosas 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 Leeds, Ealing, Richmond upon Thames, Hillingdon and Wolverhampton. 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 Leeds 098 Leeds
2 Ealing 017 Ealing
3 Richmond upon Thames 011 Richmond upon Thames
4 Hillingdon 030 Hillingdon
5 Wolverhampton 030 Wolverhampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Khosa

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

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Khosa surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Khosa household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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, Khosa 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

Khosa 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

Khosa falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Khosa 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 Khosa, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Khosa

The surname KHOSA originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Punjab region. Its roots can be traced back to the Khukhrain tribe, which was a branch of the Rajput community. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Khasa', meaning 'nomadic people' or 'wanderers'.

In the historical records, the earliest documented instances of the KHOSA surname can be found in the 12th century. The Khosas were landowners and warriors who played a significant role in the region's history. They are mentioned in several medieval manuscripts and chronicles, including the 'Ain-i-Akbari', a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the KHOSA surname was Rai Khosa, a 13th-century chieftain who ruled over the Khosa principality in the Multan region (now in modern-day Pakistan). Another prominent figure was Rao Khosa, a 15th-century warrior who fought against the Mughal forces during their conquest of the Punjab.

In the 18th century, the KHOSA surname gained prominence with the rise of the Sikh Empire. Bhai Maha Singh Khosa (1671-1742) was a revered Sikh warrior and spiritual leader who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Khalsa, the collective body of initiated Sikh disciples.

During the British Raj, the KHOSA surname was associated with influential landowners and aristocratic families. Sir Chhotu Ram Khosa (1881-1945) was a prominent politician, lawyer, and social reformer who advocated for the rights of the peasantry and the depressed classes. He was instrumental in the formation of the Unionist Party, a major political force in pre-partition Punjab.

Another notable figure was Sardar Bahadur Sir Sundar Singh Khosa (1892-1983), a distinguished civil servant and diplomat who served as the Indian Ambassador to several countries, including the United States and the Soviet Union.

In modern times, the KHOSA surname has spread beyond the Punjab region and can be found in various parts of India, Pakistan, and the broader South Asian diaspora. However, this report focuses on the historical origins and significance of the name, rather than contemporary census data or recent trends.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Khosa surname: questions and answers

How common is the Khosa surname today?

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

What does the Khosa surname mean?

A surname originating from India, possibly referring to an occupational caste or ethnic group.

What does the Khosa map show?

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