NameCensus.

UK surname

Modha

A Gujarati surname originating from a village of the same name in India.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Modha is 597 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

528

2016, ranked #9,603

Peak year

2010

597 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 528 in 2016, ranked #9,603.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Modha surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Modha surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Modha 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 391 #11,196
1998 modern 400 #11,335
1999 modern 399 #11,463
2000 modern 417 #11,068
2001 modern 410 #11,016
2002 modern 456 #10,336
2003 modern 471 #9,902
2004 modern 506 #9,437
2005 modern 510 #9,317
2006 modern 535 #9,007
2007 modern 554 #8,854
2008 modern 554 #8,911
2009 modern 561 #9,028
2010 modern 597 #8,814
2011 modern 571 #9,002
2012 modern 557 #9,082
2013 modern 565 #9,124
2014 modern 548 #9,418
2015 modern 538 #9,489
2016 modern 528 #9,603

Geography

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Where Modhas 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 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 Leicester 006 Leicester
2 Leicester 007 Leicester
3 Leicester 010 Leicester
4 Leicester 009 Leicester
5 Harrow 017 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Modha

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

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

Modha 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

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

Meaning and origin of Modha

The surname MODHA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent during the medieval period, specifically in the region of Gujarat. The name is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Moda," which means happiness or joy. It is possible that the name was originally given to someone who possessed a cheerful or joyful disposition.

One of the earliest documented references to the name MODHA can be found in the Navaratri inscriptions from the 11th century, which record the names of various individuals associated with the local rulers of the time. These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region during that period.

During the 14th century, the MODHA name appeared in several historical records related to the Solanki dynasty, which ruled over parts of present-day Gujarat and Rajasthan. These records often listed individuals with the MODHA surname as landowners, merchants, or administrators within the kingdom.

The name MODHA gained further prominence in the 16th century when Rana Modha, a prominent military leader and advisor to the Rajput rulers, played a significant role in the resistance against the Mughal Empire. Rana Modha's bravery and strategic acumen were widely celebrated, and his descendants continued to carry the MODHA surname with pride.

Throughout the centuries, the MODHA name has been associated with various notable figures. In the 17th century, Naranji Modha was a renowned poet and scholar who made significant contributions to the Gujarati literary tradition. His works explored themes of spirituality, love, and the human condition.

In the 19th century, Dayaram Modha was a respected social reformer and educator who worked tirelessly to promote education and uplift marginalized communities in Gujarat. His efforts led to the establishment of several schools and educational institutions, which continue to shape the lives of countless students to this day.

Another notable figure bearing the MODHA surname was Manibhai Modha, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist who lived in the early 20th century. He founded several successful businesses and used his wealth to support various charitable causes, including the construction of hospitals and educational facilities in his native region.

These are just a few examples of the rich history and notable individuals associated with the surname MODHA. While the name has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carrying with it a legacy of cultural diversity, resilience, and achievement.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Modha surname: questions and answers

How common is the Modha surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 528 in 2016. That gives Modha a modern rank of #9,603.

What does the Modha surname mean?

A Gujarati surname originating from a village of the same name in India.

What does the Modha map show?

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