NameCensus.

UK surname

Krishnan

A surname of Indian origin, referring to someone descended from the Hindu deity Krishna.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newham, Croydon and Stockport.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Krishnan is 655 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

625

2016, ranked #8,440

Peak year

2014

655 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 625 in 2016, ranked #8,440.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Krishnan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Krishnan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Krishnan 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 6 #33,230
1997 modern 185 #18,506
1998 modern 215 #17,306
1999 modern 234 #16,506
2000 modern 242 #16,101
2001 modern 246 #15,684
2002 modern 298 #14,048
2003 modern 304 #13,685
2004 modern 349 #12,473
2005 modern 387 #11,463
2006 modern 427 #10,683
2007 modern 478 #9,891
2008 modern 522 #9,328
2009 modern 564 #8,989
2010 modern 632 #8,438
2011 modern 621 #8,458
2012 modern 608 #8,522
2013 modern 637 #8,336
2014 modern 655 #8,203
2015 modern 635 #8,350
2016 modern 625 #8,440

Geography

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Where Krishnans 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 Newham, Croydon, Stockport and Wandsworth. 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 Newham 010 Newham
2 Croydon 019 Croydon
3 Stockport 001 Stockport
4 Croydon 011 Croydon
5 Wandsworth 034 Wandsworth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Krishnan

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

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Krishnan 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

Krishnan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Krishnan

The surname Krishnan is of Indian origin, specifically from the Tamil speaking regions of southern India. It dates back to ancient times and is derived from the Sanskrit word "Krishna" which means dark or black.

The name Krishnan was originally an honorific title bestowed upon Vaishnavite Brahmins and other upper-caste Hindus who revered Lord Krishna, an avatar of the god Vishnu. Over time, it evolved into a surname used by various communities across South India.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Krishnan can be found in the ancient Tamil literary works of the Sangam period, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Several prominent poets and scholars from this era bore the name, including Krishnan Ravi, a celebrated Tamil poet and scholar from the 2nd century CE.

During the medieval period, the name Krishnan was associated with several influential figures in South Indian history. One notable example is Krishnan Raya, a 16th-century ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, who was known for his patronage of art and architecture.

In the 18th century, Krishnan Sastri, a renowned scholar and philosopher from Tamil Nadu, gained widespread recognition for his works on Hindu philosophy and theology.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Krishnan Iyer, a 19th-century social reformer and educator from Kerala, who played a crucial role in establishing modern educational institutions in the region.

In more recent times, Krishnan Nair Shantakumaran Nair, a renowned Kathakali artist and choreographer from Kerala, has contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of this classical Indian dance form.

Other notable individuals with the surname Krishnan include Krishnan Pandalai, a celebrated Indian writer and journalist from the early 20th century, and Krishnan Rajeshwari, a renowned Carnatic music vocalist and recipient of the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Krishnan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Krishnan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 625 in 2016. That gives Krishnan a modern rank of #8,440.

What does the Krishnan surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, referring to someone descended from the Hindu deity Krishna.

What does the Krishnan map show?

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