NameCensus.

UK surname

Khwaja

A surname derived from the Persian word meaning wealthy or respected merchant or trader.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hammersmith and Fulham, Waltham Forest and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Khwaja is 292 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

289

2016, ranked #15,137

Peak year

2014

292 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016, ranked #15,137.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Khwaja surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Khwaja surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Khwaja 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1997 modern 176 #19,091
1998 modern 192 #18,561
1999 modern 201 #18,179
2000 modern 215 #17,388
2001 modern 206 #17,624
2002 modern 221 #17,206
2003 modern 213 #17,395
2004 modern 224 #16,918
2005 modern 233 #16,434
2006 modern 236 #16,384
2007 modern 250 #15,901
2008 modern 258 #15,732
2009 modern 266 #15,711
2010 modern 290 #15,096
2011 modern 288 #15,009
2012 modern 270 #15,667
2013 modern 283 #15,401
2014 modern 292 #15,129
2015 modern 291 #15,078
2016 modern 289 #15,137

Geography

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Where Khwajas 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 Hammersmith and Fulham, Waltham Forest, Birmingham, Croydon and Newham. 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 Hammersmith and Fulham 014 Hammersmith and Fulham
2 Waltham Forest 016 Waltham Forest
3 Birmingham 048 Birmingham
4 Croydon 011 Croydon
5 Newham 014 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Khwaja

These lists show first names that appear often with the Khwaja surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Khwaja

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Khwaja is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Khwaja 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

Khwaja falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Khwaja 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Khwaja

The surname KHWAJA originated in the Middle East, specifically in Persia (modern-day Iran), during the medieval period. It is derived from the Persian word "khwajah," which means "master" or "lord." This title was initially bestowed upon respected scholars, nobles, and dignitaries in the region.

The name KHWAJA gained prominence in the 13th century with the rise of the Khwajagan, a prominent Persian Sufi order founded by Khwaja Ahmad Yasavi. The members of this order were known for their spiritual teachings and influence, contributing to the widespread recognition of the name.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname KHWAJA can be found in the works of the renowned Persian poet Rumi, who lived from 1207 to 1273. Rumi's writings often referenced various Sufi masters, some of whom bore the title "Khwaja."

During the Mughal Empire in South Asia, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th century, the name KHWAJA became widely adopted by Muslims in the region. The Mughals were of Turko-Persian descent, and they brought with them many cultural and linguistic influences, including the use of the title "Khwaja."

Notable individuals with the surname KHWAJA include:

1. Khwaja Shamsuddin Muhammad Hafiz (1325-1389), a highly revered Persian poet and mystic from Shiraz, Iran, known for his influential works of poetry. 2. Khwaja Mir Dard (1720-1785), a celebrated Sufi scholar, philosopher, and poet from Delhi, India, who played a significant role in the literary and spiritual life of the Mughal Empire. 3. Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (1914-1987), a renowned Indian writer, novelist, and screenwriter, known for his contributions to Hindi literature and Indian cinema. 4. Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din (1870-1932), an Indian Islamic scholar and missionary who played a pivotal role in promoting Islam in Europe and North America during the early 20th century. 5. Khwaja Abdul Ghani Kashmiri (1856-1927), a prominent Islamic scholar, mystic, and reformist from Kashmir, who advocated for modern educational reforms within the Islamic tradition.

Over time, the surname KHWAJA has spread across various regions, including Central Asia, South Asia, and parts of the Middle East, reflecting the cultural and historical influences of the Persian and Mughal empires in these areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Khwaja surname: questions and answers

How common is the Khwaja surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 289 in 2016. That gives Khwaja a modern rank of #15,137.

What does the Khwaja surname mean?

A surname derived from the Persian word meaning wealthy or respected merchant or trader.

What does the Khwaja map show?

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