NameCensus.

UK surname

Mishra

A surname of Indian origin, indicating a lineage of Brahmins or a caste of teachers, scholars, and priests.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mishra is 780 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

780

2016, ranked #7,067

Peak year

2016

780 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 780 in 2016, ranked #7,067.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Mishra surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mishra surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mishra 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1997 modern 115 #24,834
1998 modern 127 #23,940
1999 modern 162 #20,781
2000 modern 162 #20,735
2001 modern 165 #20,199
2002 modern 214 #17,545
2003 modern 232 #16,447
2004 modern 274 #14,762
2005 modern 323 #13,133
2006 modern 358 #12,234
2007 modern 416 #11,020
2008 modern 452 #10,369
2009 modern 492 #9,979
2010 modern 572 #9,082
2011 modern 569 #9,030
2012 modern 666 #7,912
2013 modern 717 #7,600
2014 modern 749 #7,392
2015 modern 759 #7,232
2016 modern 780 #7,067

Geography

Back to top

Where Mishras 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 Hounslow, Rushcliffe, Reading, Harrow and Redbridge. 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 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
2 Rushcliffe 007 Rushcliffe
3 Reading 011 Reading
4 Harrow 020 Harrow
5 Redbridge 030 Redbridge

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mishra

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mishra

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Mishra surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mishra 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mishra 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

Mishra 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mishra

The surname Mishra originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the Sanskrit language. It is believed to have derived from the ancient Sanskrit word "Misra," which means "mixed" or "associated with." The name is thought to have originated during the medieval period in India, around the 6th to 12th centuries CE.

In ancient India, the Mishra surname was commonly associated with the Brahmin caste, which was considered the highest caste in the Hindu social hierarchy. The name was often given to individuals who were born from a union between a Brahmin and a non-Brahmin parent, indicating their mixed heritage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Mishra surname can be found in the Puranic literature, a collection of ancient Hindu texts that date back to the 4th century CE. The name is also mentioned in various medieval inscriptions and manuscripts, such as the Khajuraho inscriptions from the 10th century CE.

Notable individuals with the Mishra surname throughout history include Adi Shankara (788-820 CE), a renowned Hindu philosopher and theologian who is credited with reviving Hinduism and establishing the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. Another prominent figure was Raja Todar Mal Mishra (1530-1589 CE), a renowned finance minister and revenue administrator during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

In the field of literature, Jayasi Mishra (1498-1598 CE) was a famous Hindi poet who wrote the epic poem "Padmavat," which tells the story of the legendary Queen Padmavati of Chittor. Tulsidas Mishra (1532-1623 CE) was another celebrated poet and philosopher who wrote the Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas, a retelling of the Ramayana in the Awadhi language.

In more recent times, Girish Chandra Mishra (1905-1991 CE) was a renowned Indian freedom fighter and politician who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. Virender Sehwag (born 1978), a former Indian cricketer, and Anupam Mishra (born 1965), an Indian author and columnist, also bear the Mishra surname.

The Mishra name continues to be prevalent in various parts of India, particularly in the northern and central regions, where it is widely associated with the Brahmin community. However, the surname has also been adopted by individuals from other castes and communities over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mishra surname: questions and answers

How common is the Mishra surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 780 in 2016. That gives Mishra a modern rank of #7,067.

What does the Mishra surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, indicating a lineage of Brahmins or a caste of teachers, scholars, and priests.

What does the Mishra map show?

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