NameCensus.

UK surname

Mistry

An occupational surname referring to a skilled craftsman, builder, or mason, derived from the Latin word "misterium" meaning "trade."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mistry is 13,664 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

13,319

2016, ranked #485

Peak year

2010

13,664 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 13,319 in 2016, ranked #485.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Mistry surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mistry surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mistry 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 7 #33,053
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 10,848 #568
1998 modern 11,217 #571
1999 modern 11,505 #557
2000 modern 12,000 #532
2001 modern 11,712 #532
2002 modern 12,248 #521
2003 modern 12,264 #509
2004 modern 12,423 #502
2005 modern 12,509 #487
2006 modern 12,598 #484
2007 modern 12,929 #477
2008 modern 13,019 #476
2009 modern 13,242 #481
2010 modern 13,664 #476
2011 modern 13,630 #470
2012 modern 13,086 #483
2013 modern 13,456 #483
2014 modern 13,440 #485
2015 modern 13,375 #485
2016 modern 13,319 #485

Geography

Back to top

Where Mistrys 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 Leicester and Bradford. 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 Leicester 006 Leicester
2 Leicester 007 Leicester
3 Leicester 010 Leicester
4 Bradford 049 Bradford
5 Bradford 044 Bradford

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mistry

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Mistry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Mistry household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Mistry 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

Mistry 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mistry

The surname Mistry originated in India and has its roots in the ancient Gujarati language. It is derived from the word 'Mistry', which means 'skilled artisan' or 'craftsman'. The name is particularly prevalent among the Parsi community, who migrated to India from Persia (modern-day Iran) during the 8th century AD.

The earliest recorded instances of the Mistry surname can be traced back to the 15th century in parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. It was often associated with individuals who worked as skilled carpenters, masons, or builders, reflecting the profession's significance in shaping the region's architectural heritage.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the Mistry surname was Jamshedji Mistry, a prominent architect and builder who lived in the late 16th century. He is credited with designing and constructing several notable structures, including the Chaukundi Tombs in Ahmedabad, which are considered architectural marvels of their time.

In the 18th century, the Mistry surname gained prominence with the rise of Parsi entrepreneurs and industrialists. Ardeshir Mistry, born in 1729, was a successful merchant and one of the pioneers of the Indian textile industry. His legacy continued through his descendants, who played a significant role in the country's economic development.

Another noteworthy figure was Dadabhai Mistry, a prominent Parsi scholar and linguist who lived from 1802 to 1871. He made significant contributions to the study and preservation of the Avestan language, which is the sacred language of Zoroastrianism.

During the 19th century, the Mistry surname gained further recognition with individuals like Cowasjee Mistry, a philanthropist and industrialist who established several educational institutions and charitable organizations in Bombay (now Mumbai).

As the Indian diaspora spread across the globe, the Mistry surname has become prominent in various parts of the world, particularly in regions with a significant Parsi population, such as North America and the United Kingdom. Notable individuals with the Mistry surname include Rohinton Mistry, a renowned Canadian author of Parsi descent, and Zubin Mistry, a British actor and writer.

Throughout history, the Mistry surname has been closely associated with skilled craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and intellectual pursuits, reflecting the diverse contributions of individuals bearing this name to various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mistry surname: questions and answers

How common is the Mistry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 13,319 in 2016. That gives Mistry a modern rank of #485.

What does the Mistry surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a skilled craftsman, builder, or mason, derived from the Latin word "misterium" meaning "trade."

What does the Mistry map show?

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