NameCensus.

UK surname

Mahar

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Meachair," meaning "descendant of Meachar," a personal name meaning "kindly" or "agreeable."

In the 1881 census there were 141 people recorded with the Mahar surname, ranking it #16,091 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 101, ranked #30,929, down from #16,091 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Merthyr Tydfil and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bath and North East Somerset, Reading and Torbay.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mahar is 169 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 28.4%.

1881 census count

141

Ranked #16,091

Modern count

101

2016, ranked #30,929

Peak year

1891

169 bearers

Map years

4

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mahar had 141 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,091 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016, ranked #30,929.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 169 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Mahar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mahar surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mahar 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
1851 historical 59 #22,756
1861 historical 79 #23,702
1881 historical 141 #16,091
1891 historical 169 #16,885
1901 historical 103 #22,444
1911 historical 72 #25,642
1997 modern 68 #30,810
1998 modern 67 #31,282
1999 modern 63 #31,798
2000 modern 82 #29,922
2001 modern 81 #29,828
2002 modern 86 #29,771
2003 modern 75 #30,994
2004 modern 74 #31,306
2005 modern 83 #30,486
2006 modern 95 #29,113
2007 modern 103 #28,187
2008 modern 108 #27,684
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 97 #30,552
2012 modern 93 #31,409
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 101 #30,816
2016 modern 101 #30,929

Geography

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Where Mahars are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Merthyr Tydfil, Liverpool, Bradford and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bath and North East Somerset, Reading, Torbay, Crawley and Lambeth. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bath and North East Somerset 018 Bath and North East Somerset
2 Reading 010 Reading
3 Torbay 003 Torbay
4 Crawley 005 Crawley
5 Lambeth 032 Lambeth

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mahar

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mahar

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Mahar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mahar household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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, Mahar 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

Mahar 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mahar

The surname Mahar is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Maha,' which means 'great' or 'eminent,' and the suffix 'ar,' indicating a person or community.

The earliest recorded instances of the Mahar surname can be traced back to the 12th century CE, during the reign of the Yadava dynasty in the Deccan region. The name was initially associated with the Mahar caste, a community that played a significant role in agricultural and military activities in medieval Maharashtra.

In the 16th century, the Mahar surname gained prominence during the reign of the Maratha Empire. Several historical records from this period mention notable figures bearing the Mahar surname, including military commanders and administrators who served under the Maratha rulers.

One of the earliest documented references to the Mahar surname can be found in the Bakhars, a collection of historical chronicles from the Maratha period. These manuscripts provide insights into the lives and deeds of prominent Mahar individuals, such as Yashwantrao Mahar, a renowned military leader who served under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century.

Throughout history, the Mahar surname has been associated with several notable individuals. For example, Gopal Mahar (1852-1923) was a prominent social reformer and educator who played a crucial role in the upliftment of the Mahar community in Maharashtra. Babasaheb Ambedkar (1891-1956), the architect of the Indian Constitution and a leading figure in the Dalit rights movement, was also born into the Mahar caste.

Another influential figure with the Mahar surname was Ramji Mahar (1871-1942), a pioneering writer and journalist who contributed significantly to the development of Marathi literature. His works shed light on the struggles and aspirations of the Mahar community during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Mahar surname has also been associated with various place names in Maharashtra. For instance, the town of Maharvadi in the Kolhapur district is believed to have derived its name from the Mahar community that historically inhabited the region.

It is important to note that the Mahar surname has undergone various spelling variations throughout history, including Maharu, Mahar, and Mehar, reflecting regional linguistic differences and transcription practices.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mahar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mahar surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 42 Mahars recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.08x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 42 3.08x
Lancashire 34 2.08x
Glamorgan 10 4.18x
Northumberland 9 4.40x
Stirlingshire 8 15.77x
Middlesex 7 0.51x
Cornwall 6 3.85x
Surrey 5 0.75x
Hampshire 4 1.42x
Cheshire 3 0.99x
Derbyshire 2 0.93x
Essex 2 0.74x
Kent 2 0.43x
Lanarkshire 2 0.45x
Staffordshire 2 0.43x
Anglesey 1 4.10x
Durham 1 0.24x
Perthshire 1 1.62x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 13 Mahars recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.96x.

Place Total Index
Sheffield 13 29.96x
Stirling 8 125.00x
Liverpool 7 7.06x
Newcastle On Tyne St 7 65.98x
West Derby 7 14.66x
Normanton 6 146.34x
Barnsley 5 35.56x
Bowling 5 37.04x
Bradford 5 15.16x
Merthyr Tydfil 5 21.72x
Poplar London 5 19.26x
Gorton 4 26.08x
Lambeth 4 3.34x
Llantrisant 4 66.23x
Manchester 4 5.45x
Portsea 4 7.24x
Warrington 4 20.67x
Butley 3 1153.85x
Feock 3 309.28x
Lower Booths 3 102.74x
Glossop Dale 2 19.84x
Leeds 2 2.60x
Mevagissey 2 194.17x
Middlesbrough 2 11.27x
Tottenham 2 9.13x
Wallsend 2 30.82x
West Bromwich 2 7.52x
West Ham 2 3.34x
Windle 2 21.79x
Barony 1 0.89x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 1 21.46x
Blackburn 1 2.30x
Blackford 1 133.33x
Camberwell 1 1.14x
Cardiff St Mary 1 7.58x
Charlton Next Woolwich 1 20.45x
Ecclesfield 1 10.01x
Gateshead 1 3.26x
Greenwich 1 4.57x
Holyhead 1 22.03x
Maryhill 1 11.48x
Mylor 1 96.15x
Preston 1 2.29x
Toxteth Park 1 1.81x
Wakefield 1 9.56x
York St George 1 93.46x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mahar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 12
Margaret 9
Elizabeth 6
Ann 3
Bridget 3
Ellen 3
Annie 2
Eliza 2
Hannah 2
Jane 2
Sarah 2
Catherine 1
Catran 1
Charlotte 1
Fany 1
Harriet 1
Jessie 1
Johanna 1
Johrnr 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Lucy 1
Margeret 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Martha 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mahar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 16
William 12
Patrick 5
Thomas 5
James 4
Martin 4
Michael 3
Thos. 3
Peter 2
Timothy 2
Arthur 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Denis 1
Edwd. 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frederick 1
Joseph 1
Mickle 1
Nicholas 1
Ralph 1
Robert 1

FAQ

Mahar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mahar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 141 people were recorded with the Mahar surname. That placed it at #16,091 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mahar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 101 in 2016. That gives Mahar a modern rank of #30,929.

What does the Mahar surname mean?

An Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Ó Meachair," meaning "descendant of Meachar," a personal name meaning "kindly" or "agreeable."

What does the Mahar map show?

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