NameCensus.

UK surname

Krishan

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit name Krishna, meaning "dark" or "black."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Krishan is 161 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

155

2016, ranked #23,197

Peak year

2010

161 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016, ranked #23,197.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Krishan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Krishan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Krishan 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
1851 historical 3 #32,890
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1997 modern 103 #26,498
1998 modern 116 #25,332
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 120 #24,950
2001 modern 113 #25,489
2002 modern 125 #24,492
2003 modern 132 #23,459
2004 modern 136 #23,207
2005 modern 129 #23,963
2006 modern 135 #23,486
2007 modern 140 #23,231
2008 modern 147 #22,720
2009 modern 151 #22,816
2010 modern 161 #22,385
2011 modern 157 #22,574
2012 modern 149 #23,372
2013 modern 157 #22,904
2014 modern 154 #23,439
2015 modern 155 #23,194
2016 modern 155 #23,197

Geography

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Where Krishans 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 Bradford, Ealing, Pollokshaws, Mansfield and Firhill. 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 Bradford 029 Bradford
2 Ealing 017 Ealing
3 Pollokshaws Glasgow City
4 Mansfield 013 Mansfield
5 Firhill Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Krishan

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

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

Krishan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Krishan

The surname Krishan has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the northern regions of India and Pakistan. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "Krishna," which means "dark" or "black," referring to the dark complexion of Lord Krishna, a prominent deity in Hinduism.

The earliest known records of the name Krishan can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas, where Lord Krishna is portrayed as a central figure. These texts date back to around the 4th century BCE, indicating the antiquity of the name and its association with the Hindu tradition.

During the medieval period, the name Krishan was predominantly used by Hindu communities in the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent. It gained prominence among the Brahmin and Kshatriya castes, who were traditionally associated with religious and warrior roles, respectively.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the surname Krishan was Krishan Pandit, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 16th century. He was a court poet under the patronage of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and is credited with composing several literary works in Sanskrit.

Another notable figure with the surname Krishan was Krishan Chand, a military commander who served under the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century. He played a significant role in the expansion of the Sikh Empire and is remembered for his valor and strategic skills on the battlefield.

In the 20th century, Krishan Kant, a distinguished philosopher and academic, made significant contributions to the field of metaphysics and epistemology. Born in 1901 in Lahore (now in Pakistan), he taught at various prestigious institutions in India and published several influential works on Indian philosophy.

Another notable figure was Krishan Nath Pandita, an eminent Kashmiri writer and poet who lived from 1911 to 1994. He played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the Kashmiri language and literature, and his works are widely acclaimed for their poetic beauty and cultural significance.

Krishan Baldev Vaid, a renowned playwright and dramatist, was born in 1926 in Srinagar, Kashmir. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Kashmiri theater and is best known for his play "Bombur Yemberzalwor," which explores the social and political issues faced by the Kashmiri people.

These examples illustrate the historical significance and prominence of the surname Krishan across various fields, including literature, philosophy, military, and the arts, within the Indian subcontinent and its diverse cultural tapestry.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Krishan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Krishan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016. That gives Krishan a modern rank of #23,197.

What does the Krishan surname mean?

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit name Krishna, meaning "dark" or "black."

What does the Krishan map show?

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