NameCensus.

UK surname

Mehra

A surname of Indian origin, possibly derived from the Sanskrit word "mitra" meaning friend or ally.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mehra is 565 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

561

2016, ranked #9,145

Peak year

2014

565 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 561 in 2016, ranked #9,145.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Mehra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mehra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mehra 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 278 #14,210
1998 modern 294 #14,060
1999 modern 302 #13,895
2000 modern 311 #13,588
2001 modern 298 #13,784
2002 modern 344 #12,777
2003 modern 364 #12,068
2004 modern 389 #11,516
2005 modern 428 #10,619
2006 modern 446 #10,301
2007 modern 464 #10,113
2008 modern 484 #9,877
2009 modern 499 #9,879
2010 modern 528 #9,651
2011 modern 519 #9,687
2012 modern 523 #9,555
2013 modern 553 #9,299
2014 modern 565 #9,191
2015 modern 554 #9,252
2016 modern 561 #9,145

Geography

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Where Mehras 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 Westminster, Hounslow and Barnet. 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 Westminster 007 Westminster
2 Westminster 011 Westminster
3 Westminster 003 Westminster
4 Hounslow 009 Hounslow
5 Barnet 037 Barnet

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mehra

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

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

Mehra 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mehra

The surname Mehra has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of India and Pakistan. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word 'Mihira,' which means sun or sun-like. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who possessed a radiant or bright personality or had a connection with the sun or its worship.

The earliest records of the name Mehra can be traced back to the 8th century CE, during the reign of the Rajput dynasties in the northern Indian states of Rajasthan and Haryana. Several historical references mention individuals with the surname Mehra holding positions of importance in the royal courts and armies of these kingdoms.

One of the earliest known mentions of the name Mehra is found in the Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem composed in the 12th century, which recounts the life and exploits of the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan. The poem mentions a warrior named Mehra who fought valiantly alongside King Prithviraj in his battles against the Muslim invaders.

In the 16th century, during the Mughal era, the name Mehra was associated with several notable figures. Rai Mehra, a prominent Rajput nobleman, served as a military commander under the Mughal emperor Akbar and played a significant role in the conquest of Gujarat.

Another noteworthy individual bearing the surname Mehra was Pandit Sukh Mehra, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in the 17th century. He was celebrated for his poetic works in the Braj Bhasha dialect and his contributions to the literary traditions of northern India.

The 19th century saw the rise of Lala Mohan Lal Mehra, a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Lahore (now in Pakistan). He was instrumental in establishing several educational institutions and played a pivotal role in the social and economic development of the region.

In more recent times, the surname Mehra has been associated with several influential figures in various fields, such as Vinod Mehra, an acclaimed Indian actor known for his roles in popular Bollywood films of the 1970s and 1980s (1945-1990), and Zia Mehra, a renowned Pakistani artist and sculptor (1938-2002).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mehra surname: questions and answers

How common is the Mehra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 561 in 2016. That gives Mehra a modern rank of #9,145.

What does the Mehra surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, possibly derived from the Sanskrit word "mitra" meaning friend or ally.

What does the Mehra map show?

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