NameCensus.

UK surname

Mahadevan

A Hindu surname meaning "great god" or "great lord".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mahadevan is 152 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

2010

152 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Mahadevan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mahadevan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mahadevan 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 81 #29,436
1998 modern 78 #30,192
1999 modern 88 #29,287
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 103 #26,927
2002 modern 104 #27,303
2003 modern 102 #27,383
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 106 #27,044
2006 modern 109 #26,872
2007 modern 115 #26,348
2008 modern 124 #25,371
2009 modern 136 #24,485
2010 modern 152 #23,282
2011 modern 138 #24,615
2012 modern 129 #25,705
2013 modern 140 #24,779
2014 modern 151 #23,745
2015 modern 146 #24,148
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

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Where Mahadevans 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 Harrow, Newham and Epsom and Ewell. 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 Harrow 012 Harrow
2 Newham 010 Newham
3 Epsom and Ewell 004 Epsom and Ewell
4 Harrow 017 Harrow
5 Harrow 019 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mahadevan

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mahadevan

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

Mahadevan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mahadevan

The surname Mahadevan originated in India, specifically in the southern regions of the country. It has its roots in the Sanskrit language and can be traced back to the ancient Vedic period, which dates back to around 1500-500 BCE. The name is derived from the combination of two Sanskrit words, "Maha" meaning "great" and "Deva" meaning "god" or "deity."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mahadevan can be found in the ancient Tamil literature known as Sangam literature, which dates back to the early centuries CE. This literary work contains references to individuals bearing the name Mahadevan, suggesting its widespread use during that time period.

The name Mahadevan is also closely associated with the Saivite tradition, a branch of Hinduism that reveres Lord Shiva as the supreme deity. Many ancient Hindu temples and religious texts mention devotees and scholars with the surname Mahadevan, indicating their association with the Saivite faith.

Among the notable historical figures with the surname Mahadevan is the 9th-century Tamil poet and philosopher Manikkavasagar (c. 850 CE), who was a prominent figure in the Saivite tradition. His works, such as the Tiruvacagam, are considered literary and spiritual masterpieces.

Another prominent Mahadevan was Sundara Mahadevan (c. 1200 CE), a Tamil scholar and commentator on the works of the philosopher Meykanda Devar. His commentaries are still studied and revered in Tamil Nadu today.

In the 16th century, Appayya Mahadevan (c. 1520-1593) was a renowned scholar and theologian who made significant contributions to the Saivite literature and philosophy. His works, such as the Sivaprakasam, are considered essential readings in the Saivite tradition.

The 18th century saw the rise of Sadasiva Mahadevan (c. 1750-1825), a Tamil poet and mystic who is celebrated for his devotional compositions and his contribution to the revival of the Saivite tradition.

More recently, Krishnamurthy Mahadevan (1905-1993) was a distinguished Indian classical musician and scholar who was instrumental in preserving and promoting the ancient musical traditions of South India.

While the surname Mahadevan has its roots in the southern regions of India, it has since spread across the country and can be found among various communities, particularly those with a strong connection to the Saivite tradition and Tamil culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mahadevan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Mahadevan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Mahadevan a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Mahadevan surname mean?

A Hindu surname meaning "great god" or "great lord".

What does the Mahadevan map show?

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