NameCensus.

UK surname

Kotwal

A historical surname referring to an administrative officer in South Asia.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolton, Solihull and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kotwal is 117 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

117

2016, ranked #28,033

Peak year

2016

117 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016, ranked #28,033.
  • 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.

Kotwal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kotwal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kotwal 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 87 #28,749
1998 modern 83 #29,638
1999 modern 82 #29,933
2000 modern 81 #30,036
2001 modern 94 #28,246
2002 modern 98 #28,243
2003 modern 92 #28,974
2004 modern 86 #30,019
2005 modern 90 #29,527
2006 modern 98 #28,621
2007 modern 102 #28,351
2008 modern 104 #28,341
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 101 #29,938
2012 modern 101 #30,078
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 110 #29,294
2015 modern 115 #28,319
2016 modern 117 #28,033

Geography

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Where Kotwals 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 Bolton, Solihull 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 Bolton 021 Bolton
2 Bolton 015 Bolton
3 Bolton 020 Bolton
4 Solihull 011 Solihull
5 Brent 001 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kotwal

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

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

Kotwal 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

Kotwal 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 Kotwal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
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 Kotwal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kotwal

The surname KOTWAL is of Indian origin, originating from the Hindi and Sanskrit languages. It first emerged in the medieval period, around the 11th to 12th centuries AD, in parts of northern and central India.

The name is derived from the word "Kot" meaning a small fortified area or garrison, and "Wal" meaning a person in charge or an official. Therefore, KOTWAL essentially referred to the commander or official in charge of a fortified area or garrison town.

Early records show that the name was closely associated with individuals holding administrative and military positions in various kingdoms and principalities across the Indian subcontinent. The earliest known reference to the name dates back to inscriptions from the Chauhan dynasty in the 12th century, which mention a Kotwal named Alha.

Another prominent historical figure bearing the KOTWAL surname was Malik Kafur, a renowned military general and slave of Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi in the early 14th century. Kafur rose through the ranks to become a powerful military commander and is known for his successful campaigns in the Deccan region.

In the 16th century, the Mughal emperor Akbar appointed several individuals with the KOTWAL surname as military commanders and administrators in various parts of his empire. One notable example is Mir Qasim Kotwal, who served as the Kotwal (commander) of the city of Lahore during Akbar's reign.

During the later Mughal period, the KOTWAL surname was also associated with individuals holding administrative positions in various cities and regions. A well-known figure from this era was Mirza Muhammad Qasim Kotwal, who served as the Kotwal of Delhi in the late 17th century.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the KOTWAL surname continued to be prominent among individuals holding administrative and military roles, particularly in the princely states of Rajputana and the Maratha Empire. One notable example is Raghunath Rao Kotwal, a distinguished military commander who served under the Maratha ruler Shivaji in the late 17th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kotwal surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kotwal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016. That gives Kotwal a modern rank of #28,033.

What does the Kotwal surname mean?

A historical surname referring to an administrative officer in South Asia.

What does the Kotwal map show?

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