NameCensus.

UK surname

Kunwar

A surname derived from the Sanskrit title "Kunwar" meaning prince or son of a king.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kunwar is 111 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

110

2016, ranked #29,225

Peak year

2015

111 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016, ranked #29,225.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Kunwar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kunwar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kunwar 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
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 26 #35,135
1998 modern 29 #34,948
1999 modern 29 #35,031
2000 modern 28 #35,080
2001 modern 31 #34,648
2002 modern 35 #34,554
2003 modern 32 #34,862
2004 modern 39 #34,477
2005 modern 41 #34,478
2006 modern 43 #34,647
2007 modern 52 #34,195
2008 modern 55 #34,165
2009 modern 65 #33,611
2010 modern 74 #33,167
2011 modern 71 #33,392
2012 modern 91 #31,659
2013 modern 91 #32,020
2014 modern 98 #31,370
2015 modern 111 #28,986
2016 modern 110 #29,225

Geography

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Where Kunwars 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 Watford, Greenwich, Waltham Forest and Harrow. 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 Watford 010 Watford
2 Greenwich 011 Greenwich
3 Waltham Forest 003 Waltham Forest
4 Greenwich 006 Greenwich
5 Harrow 020 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kunwar

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

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kunwar 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

Kunwar 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

Kunwar falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Kunwar

The surname "Kunwar" is of Indian origin, specifically from the northern regions of the country. It traces its roots back to the medieval period, around the 12th-13th century CE. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Kumara," which means "prince" or "son of a king."

In the ancient Hindu tradition, the title "Kunwar" was bestowed upon the sons of rulers and members of the nobility. It signified their royal lineage and association with the ruling class. The name Kunwar gained prominence during the reign of various Hindu dynasties that governed parts of northern India, such as the Rajputs and the Mughals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kunwar can be found in the Prithviraj Raso, a medieval Sanskrit epic poem written in the 12th century. The poem narrates the life and exploits of the legendary Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan and mentions several individuals bearing the title of Kunwar.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname Kunwar. One such individual was Kunwar Singh (1777-1858), a prominent leader in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British rule. He played a crucial role in organizing the rebellion in the Bundelkhand region and fought against the East India Company's forces.

Another famous Kunwar was Kunwar Ranvir Singh (1835-1909), the last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. He ascended to the throne in 1857 and is remembered for his efforts to modernize the state and introduce administrative reforms.

In the literary realm, Kunwar Narain (1927-2017) was a renowned Hindi novelist and playwright. He authored several acclaimed works, including the novel "Baudhyayan" and the play "Chakravyuh," which explored themes of social justice and human relationships.

The surname Kunwar has also been associated with various historical places and landmarks. For instance, the town of Kunwar in the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, India, is believed to have derived its name from a former ruler or nobleman bearing the title of Kunwar.

Additionally, the Kunwar Palace, located in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, was built in the 18th century and served as the residence of the Kunwar (prince) of the Jaipur royal family.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Kunwar has evolved and taken on various spellings, such as Kunwar, Kunwari, and Kuwarji, reflecting regional variations and linguistic influences. However, its association with royalty and nobility has remained a consistent theme, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kunwar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kunwar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 110 in 2016. That gives Kunwar a modern rank of #29,225.

What does the Kunwar surname mean?

A surname derived from the Sanskrit title "Kunwar" meaning prince or son of a king.

What does the Kunwar map show?

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