NameCensus.

UK surname

Mihai

A Romanian surname derived from the given name Michael.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mihai is 637 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

637

2016, ranked #8,304

Peak year

2016

637 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 637 in 2016, ranked #8,304.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Mihai surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mihai surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mihai 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
1997 modern 1 #38,839
1998 modern 4 #38,082
1999 modern 7 #37,513
2000 modern 8 #37,264
2001 modern 8 #37,124
2002 modern 9 #37,051
2003 modern 12 #36,715
2004 modern 14 #36,648
2005 modern 21 #36,083
2006 modern 38 #35,003
2007 modern 76 #31,966
2008 modern 107 #27,844
2009 modern 140 #24,033
2010 modern 193 #19,880
2011 modern 227 #17,733
2012 modern 370 #12,417
2013 modern 398 #11,967
2014 modern 465 #10,628
2015 modern 545 #9,387
2016 modern 637 #8,304

Geography

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Where Mihais 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 Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham and Harrow. 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 Waltham Forest 020 Waltham Forest
2 Waltham Forest 017 Waltham Forest
3 Barking and Dagenham 008 Barking and Dagenham
4 Barking and Dagenham 016 Barking and Dagenham
5 Harrow 007 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mihai

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mihai

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Mihai surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mihai household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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, Mihai 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

Mihai 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

Mihai 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 Mihai 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
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Mihai

The surname Mihai originates from Romania, deriving from the Romanian given name Mihai, which is the Romanian form of the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?". This name was likely brought to Romania during the spread of Christianity in the region.

The earliest known record of the surname Mihai dates back to the 15th century, found in a manuscript from the Principality of Wallachia. It was likely used as a patronymic surname, indicating the name of the father or an ancestor.

In the 16th century, several notable individuals bearing the surname Mihai are recorded. One such person was Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave, 1558-1601), who ruled as the Prince of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania, and is considered a national hero in Romania for his efforts to unite the principalities.

Another notable figure was Mihai Racovita (1591-1663), a Romanian boyar and diplomat who served as the ruler of Moldavia from 1629 to 1631 and again from 1633 to 1634.

In the 18th century, Mihai Cantacuzino (1690-1768) was a prominent Romanian nobleman and scholar who served as the ruler of Wallachia from 1714 to 1716 and again from 1716 to 1718.

The surname Mihai has also been associated with various place names in Romania, such as the village of Mihaiesti in Arges County and the commune of Mihai Viteazu in Cluj County, which was named after the famous ruler Michael the Brave.

In the 19th century, Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889) was a renowned Romanian poet, widely regarded as the most influential and representative poet of Romanian literature. His works played a significant role in the development of the Romanian language and literary tradition.

Throughout history, the surname Mihai has been borne by many individuals who have contributed to various fields, including politics, literature, and academia, and it continues to be a prominent surname in Romania.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mihai surname: questions and answers

How common is the Mihai surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 637 in 2016. That gives Mihai a modern rank of #8,304.

What does the Mihai surname mean?

A Romanian surname derived from the given name Michael.

What does the Mihai map show?

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