NameCensus.

UK surname

Mahi

An Indian surname derived from a Sanskrit word meaning "great" or "mighty".

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Mahi surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 213, ranked #18,785, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mahi is 213 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21200.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

213

2016, ranked #18,785

Peak year

2016

213 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mahi had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016, ranked #18,785.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Mahi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mahi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mahi 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 122 #23,917
1998 modern 135 #23,118
1999 modern 141 #22,702
2000 modern 149 #21,874
2001 modern 147 #21,756
2002 modern 163 #20,767
2003 modern 154 #21,308
2004 modern 151 #21,720
2005 modern 163 #20,627
2006 modern 170 #20,214
2007 modern 182 #19,618
2008 modern 189 #19,315
2009 modern 196 #19,274
2010 modern 202 #19,322
2011 modern 195 #19,610
2012 modern 193 #19,665
2013 modern 207 #19,093
2014 modern 210 #19,064
2015 modern 206 #19,208
2016 modern 213 #18,785

Geography

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Where Mahis 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 Ealing and Hillingdon. 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 Ealing 026 Ealing
2 Ealing 023 Ealing
3 Ealing 037 Ealing
4 Hillingdon 030 Hillingdon
5 Hillingdon 028 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mahi

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

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

Mahi 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

Mahi falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mahi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Mahi

The surname MAHI is believed to have originated in India, particularly in the northern regions. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'mahi,' meaning 'earth' or 'land.' The name's origins can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 12th-13th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname MAHI can be found in ancient Hindu texts and manuscripts, where it was often used to refer to landowners or individuals with a connection to the earth or agriculture. The name was particularly prevalent in regions like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

During the Mughal era, the MAHI surname gained prominence, and several notable figures bearing this name emerged. One such individual was Malik Mahi, a military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. He was known for his bravery and strategic skills in various campaigns.

Another prominent figure with the surname MAHI was Mirzā Mahi, a 17th-century poet and scholar who was part of the royal court of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. His literary works, particularly in Persian and Urdu, were highly regarded during his time.

In the 18th century, a notable MAHI figure was Raja Mahi Singh, a powerful ruler of the princely state of Alwar in Rajasthan. He played a significant role in the region's political landscape and is remembered for his administrative reforms and patronage of the arts.

Moving into the 19th century, one cannot overlook the contributions of Mahi Lal, a renowned educationist and social reformer from Uttar Pradesh. He was instrumental in establishing several schools and advocating for the upliftment of marginalized communities.

The MAHI surname has also been associated with various place names and villages across northern India, such as Mahi Khera, Mahi Nagar, and Mahi Pura, among others. These place names often derived from the presence of MAHI families or individuals who settled in those areas.

Throughout its history, the MAHI surname has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including landowners, warriors, poets, rulers, and social reformers. While its roots can be traced back to medieval India, the name continues to hold significance and cultural significance in various parts of the country today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mahi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mahi 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Mahis recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westminster St in Middlesex leads with 1 Mahis recorded in 1881 and an index of 2500.00x.

Place Total Index
Westminster St 1 2500.00x

FAQ

Mahi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mahi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Mahi surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mahi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 213 in 2016. That gives Mahi a modern rank of #18,785.

What does the Mahi surname mean?

An Indian surname derived from a Sanskrit word meaning "great" or "mighty".

What does the Mahi map show?

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