NameCensus.

UK surname

Malhotra

A surname of Indian origin referring to a sweet maker or confectioner, derived from the Sanskrit words "mal" and "hotra".

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Malhotra is 1,177 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,125

2016, ranked #5,239

Peak year

2010

1,177 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,125 in 2016, ranked #5,239.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Malhotra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Malhotra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Malhotra 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
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 606 #8,087
1998 modern 657 #7,842
1999 modern 656 #7,893
2000 modern 687 #7,597
2001 modern 685 #7,485
2002 modern 781 #6,910
2003 modern 792 #6,701
2004 modern 849 #6,358
2005 modern 889 #6,079
2006 modern 917 #5,952
2007 modern 970 #5,749
2008 modern 1,013 #5,591
2009 modern 1,089 #5,364
2010 modern 1,177 #5,125
2011 modern 1,150 #5,179
2012 modern 1,113 #5,242
2013 modern 1,125 #5,279
2014 modern 1,125 #5,303
2015 modern 1,115 #5,297
2016 modern 1,125 #5,239

Geography

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Where Malhotras 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 Northumberland, Hounslow 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 Northumberland 033 Northumberland
2 Hounslow 017 Hounslow
3 Hounslow 013 Hounslow
4 Hounslow 016 Hounslow
5 Hillingdon 021 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Malhotra

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

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

Malhotra 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

Malhotra falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Malhotra

The surname Malhotra is of Indian origin, specifically from the Punjab region. It is believed to have originated during the 16th century, deriving from the Sanskrit words 'malla' meaning wrestler and 'itra' meaning perfume. The name suggests associations with individuals involved in wrestling or the perfume trade.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Malhotra name can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century document written during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text refers to a village named 'Malhotra' in the present-day state of Haryana, indicating the name's deep-rooted history in the region.

In the 18th century, the Malhotra surname gained prominence when Rai Kalha Malhotra, a renowned military commander, served under the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Rai Kalha Malhotra played a crucial role in several military campaigns and is celebrated for his bravery and strategic acumen.

Another notable figure from history bearing the Malhotra name is Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur Malhotra, born in 1892. She was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, which drafted the country's constitution. Amrit Kaur Malhotra's contributions to the Indian independence movement and the shaping of modern India are widely recognized.

In the realm of literature, Khushwant Singh Malhotra (1915-2014) was a celebrated Indian author, journalist, and diplomat. His works, including novels, short stories, and historical accounts, provided insightful perspectives on Indian culture, history, and social issues. Khushwant Singh Malhotra's writings are considered among the most influential in contemporary Indian literature.

Another notable figure is Atul Malhotra, a renowned Indian classical musician born in 1955. Specializing in the sitar, Atul Malhotra has performed extensively worldwide and has made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Indian classical music.

The Malhotra surname has a rich history rooted in the Punjab region of India, with its origins dating back to the 16th century. Throughout the centuries, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions to various fields, including military, politics, literature, and the arts, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of India.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Malhotra surname: questions and answers

How common is the Malhotra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,125 in 2016. That gives Malhotra a modern rank of #5,239.

What does the Malhotra surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin referring to a sweet maker or confectioner, derived from the Sanskrit words "mal" and "hotra".

What does the Malhotra map show?

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