UK surname

Lakhani

A Sindhi occupational surname referring to a maker or seller of lacquerware.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Lakhani is 1,494 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

Modern count

1,415

2016, ranked #4,313

Peak year

2011

1,494 bearers

Map years

1998 to 2016

Key insights

• The latest modern count shown here is 1,415 in 2016, ranked #4,313.
• The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Map

Lakhani surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Lakhani surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Year

Loading map

Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Lakhani 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
1997	modern	1,029	#5,355
1998	modern	1,096	#5,283
1999	modern	1,123	#5,207
2000	modern	1,143	#5,096
2001	modern	1,119	#5,097
2002	modern	1,231	#4,793
2003	modern	1,238	#4,683
2004	modern	1,270	#4,582
2005	modern	1,289	#4,462
2006	modern	1,298	#4,449
2007	modern	1,346	#4,363
2008	modern	1,391	#4,277
2009	modern	1,419	#4,285
2010	modern	1,491	#4,201
2011	modern	1,494	#4,173
2012	modern	1,397	#4,314
2013	modern	1,435	#4,292
2014	modern	1,430	#4,320
2015	modern	1,420	#4,310
2016	modern	1,415	#4,313

Geography

Where Lakhanis 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 Leicester 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	Leicester 002	Leicester
2	Leicester 010	Leicester
3	Leicester 009	Leicester
4	Leicester 006	Leicester
5	Harrow 009	Harrow

Forenames

First names often paired with Lakhani

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Chandrika Sonal Priya Daksha Reshma Nina Pratibha Sheetal Bharti Asha

Recent male names

Amit Dipak Dilip Ravi Sunil Ajay Raj Rajesh Rakesh Bharat

Modern profile

Neighbourhood profile for Lakhani

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Lakhani surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Lakhani household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Lakhani 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

Lakhani 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.

Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Lakhani falls in decile 6 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.

More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Lakhani 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.

Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate: Asian - Indian

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

Origin

Meaning and origin of Lakhani

The surname "LAKHANI" is of Indian origin, specifically from the region of Gujarat in western India. The name is believed to have derived from the word "Lakhania," which referred to a person from the town of Lakhani, located in the Surendranagar district of Gujarat.

Historically, the name can be traced back to the 16th century, when the Lakhani community was known for their expertise in the textile industry, particularly in the production and trading of cotton fabrics. The town of Lakhani was a hub for textile manufacturing, attracting skilled artisans and merchants from across the region.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name "LAKHANI" can be found in the records of the East India Company, which had established trade relations with Gujarat in the 17th century. Merchants with the surname LAKHANI were actively involved in the export of textiles to Europe and other parts of the world.

In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Narottam LAKHANI (1710-1782) gained recognition as a successful textile merchant and philanthropist. He is credited with establishing several charitable institutions and supporting educational initiatives in the region.

Another notable individual with the surname LAKHANI was Ratan LAKHANI (1820-1895), a renowned cotton trader and industrialist. He played a significant role in the development of the textile industry in Gujarat and was instrumental in introducing modern machinery and techniques.

In the 20th century, the LAKHANI family continued to make their mark in various fields. Keshavlal LAKHANI (1904-1988) was a respected educator and founder of the Lakhani College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai, which has produced numerous business leaders and professionals.

Ramesh LAKHANI (1930-2017) was a distinguished lawyer and human rights activist who advocated for the rights of minorities and underprivileged communities in India. He received several accolades for his contributions, including the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

Another prominent figure was Suresh LAKHANI (1945-2018), an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist. He established the Lakhani Group, a diversified business conglomerate, and was actively involved in several charitable initiatives, supporting education, healthcare, and environmental causes.

The surname "LAKHANI" carries a rich heritage and has been associated with influential individuals who have contributed significantly to various fields, including commerce, industry, education, law, and philanthropy, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Lakhani surname: questions and answers

How common is the Lakhani surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,415 in 2016. That gives Lakhani a modern rank of #4,313.

What does the Lakhani surname mean?