NameCensus.

UK surname

Mahajan

A Hindu surname denoting a learned Brahmin or an honored priest in ancient times.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mahajan is 340 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

340

2016, ranked #13,456

Peak year

2016

340 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 340 in 2016, ranked #13,456.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Mahajan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mahajan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mahajan 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 8 #33,550
1997 modern 94 #27,781
1998 modern 105 #26,822
1999 modern 110 #26,315
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 135 #23,155
2004 modern 147 #22,094
2005 modern 171 #19,985
2006 modern 201 #18,226
2007 modern 204 #18,251
2008 modern 230 #17,033
2009 modern 264 #15,798
2010 modern 291 #15,050
2011 modern 301 #14,563
2012 modern 333 #13,468
2013 modern 325 #13,924
2014 modern 338 #13,624
2015 modern 337 #13,560
2016 modern 340 #13,456

Geography

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Where Mahajans 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 Hounslow. 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 Hounslow 016 Hounslow
2 Hounslow 015 Hounslow
3 Hounslow 012 Hounslow
4 Hounslow 017 Hounslow
5 Hounslow 018 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mahajan

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

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

Mahajan 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

Mahajan 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Mahajan

The surname Mahajan has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of present-day India and Pakistan. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Mahat," which means "great" or "eminent," and the suffix "-jan," meaning "born" or "descended from." Thus, Mahajan can be interpreted as "one who is descended from greatness."

The earliest recorded instances of the Mahajan surname can be traced back to the 12th century, during the reign of the Delhi Sultanate. The name is closely associated with the Khatri community, a prominent trading and mercantile group that played a significant role in the economic and cultural life of the region.

In ancient times, the Mahajans were often recognized as wealthy merchants, bankers, and financiers. Their influence and prosperity were evident in the historical records of various kingdoms and empires that ruled over the Indian subcontinent, including the Mughal Empire and the Maratha Confederacy.

One of the earliest known figures with the Mahajan surname was Gokuldas Mahajan, a prominent merchant and banker who lived in the 16th century during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He is credited with establishing a successful trade network across the Indian subcontinent and beyond.

Another notable Mahajan was Sahu Ram Mahajan, a wealthy banker and philanthropist who lived in the 18th century. He was known for his generous endowments towards educational institutions and religious establishments, contributing to the cultural and social development of his time.

In the realm of literature, the Punjabi poet and writer Amrita Pritam Mahajan (1919-2005) was a celebrated figure. Her powerful works, which often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, earned her numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor.

Kalpana Mahajan (1956-2021), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer, was renowned for her contributions to the Odissi dance form. Her performances and teachings garnered international acclaim, and she was recognized with prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

In the field of sports, Ajay Mahajan (born 1968) was a prominent Indian cricketer who represented his country in Test and One Day International matches during the 1990s. He was known for his all-round abilities as a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a hard-hitting lower-order batsman.

The Mahajan surname has also been associated with various place names throughout the Indian subcontinent, reflecting the widespread presence and influence of this community over the centuries. Examples include the town of Mahajan in Punjab, Pakistan, and the Mahajan Gali neighborhood in the city of Lahore, Pakistan.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mahajan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Mahajan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 340 in 2016. That gives Mahajan a modern rank of #13,456.

What does the Mahajan surname mean?

A Hindu surname denoting a learned Brahmin or an honored priest in ancient times.

What does the Mahajan map show?

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