NameCensus.

UK surname

Modi

A surname of Indian origin, derived from the Hindi word "modi" meaning "grocer" or "businessman."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Modi surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 841, ranked #6,640, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Modi is 917 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 84000.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

841

2016, ranked #6,640

Peak year

2010

917 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Modi had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 841 in 2016, ranked #6,640.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Modi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Modi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Modi 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 4 #33,628
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 562 #8,527
1998 modern 592 #8,470
1999 modern 622 #8,240
2000 modern 626 #8,179
2001 modern 616 #8,128
2002 modern 658 #7,871
2003 modern 678 #7,587
2004 modern 684 #7,544
2005 modern 707 #7,271
2006 modern 721 #7,196
2007 modern 766 #6,938
2008 modern 830 #6,551
2009 modern 843 #6,604
2010 modern 917 #6,297
2011 modern 892 #6,359
2012 modern 861 #6,459
2013 modern 887 #6,400
2014 modern 873 #6,519
2015 modern 865 #6,512
2016 modern 841 #6,640

Geography

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Where Modis 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, Harrow and Oadby and Wigston. 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 010 Leicester
2 Harrow 002 Harrow
3 Leicester 006 Leicester
4 Oadby and Wigston 009 Oadby and Wigston
5 Leicester 005 Leicester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Modi

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

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

Modi 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

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

Meaning and origin of Modi

The surname MODI has its origins in India, tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "modaka," which means a small ball of rice or flour, often sweetened. In some regions, it also refers to a person who sells or makes these sweet delicacies.

The earliest recorded instances of the MODI surname can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and historical texts, where it was used to identify individuals involved in the preparation or trade of modaka sweets. One notable example is the mention of a "Modi" family in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century historical account written during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.

In the 14th century, the MODI surname appeared in the Jain community records of Gujarat, a state in western India. These records documented the presence of MODI families engaged in various professions, including trading, banking, and agriculture.

Over the centuries, the MODI surname has been associated with several prominent figures. One such individual was Damodar Modi (1642-1712), a renowned Jain scholar and poet from Gujarat, known for his contributions to Jain literature and philosophy.

Another notable person was Narottam Modi (1870-1950), a pioneer of the Indian freedom movement and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He played a crucial role in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement against British colonial rule.

In the literary realm, Sarat Chandra Modi (1876-1959) was a renowned Bengali writer and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of ancient Indian history and culture. His works include translations of ancient Sanskrit texts and research on Bengal's medieval history.

More recently, Narendra Modi (born 1950) became the Prime Minister of India in 2014. He hails from a MODI family in Gujarat and has been a prominent figure in Indian politics since the late 20th century.

While the MODI surname is predominantly found in India, particularly in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Modi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Modi surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 1 Modis recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.28x.

County Total Index
Surrey 1 21.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 1 Modis recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.05x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 1 119.05x

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Modi surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Hormasji 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Modi households.

Occupation Count
Medical Student 1

FAQ

Modi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Modi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Modi surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Modi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 841 in 2016. That gives Modi a modern rank of #6,640.

What does the Modi surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, derived from the Hindi word "modi" meaning "grocer" or "businessman."

What does the Modi map show?

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