NameCensus.

UK surname

Mohan

A surname of Indian origin, derived from Sanskrit, meaning "one who enchants or delights."

In the 1881 census there were 150 people recorded with the Mohan surname, ranking it #15,489 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,703, ranked #3,666, up from #15,489 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hamilton, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and Glossop. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Redcar and Cleveland and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mohan is 1,703 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1035.3%.

1881 census count

150

Ranked #15,489

Modern count

1,703

2016, ranked #3,666

Peak year

2016

1,703 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mohan had 150 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,489 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,703 in 2016, ranked #3,666.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 219 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Mohan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mohan surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Mohan 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
1851 historical 87 #18,695
1861 historical 131 #17,052
1881 historical 150 #15,489
1891 historical 168 #16,937
1901 historical 219 #14,292
1911 historical 217 #14,214
1997 modern 935 #5,793
1998 modern 1,022 #5,579
1999 modern 1,043 #5,521
2000 modern 1,014 #5,614
2001 modern 1,018 #5,507
2002 modern 1,106 #5,248
2003 modern 1,160 #4,945
2004 modern 1,189 #4,848
2005 modern 1,241 #4,626
2006 modern 1,318 #4,399
2007 modern 1,344 #4,366
2008 modern 1,410 #4,234
2009 modern 1,490 #4,139
2010 modern 1,596 #3,959
2011 modern 1,579 #3,957
2012 modern 1,551 #3,958
2013 modern 1,607 #3,895
2014 modern 1,643 #3,853
2015 modern 1,656 #3,777
2016 modern 1,703 #3,666

Geography

Back to top

Where Mohans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hamilton, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Glossop, Gateshead and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leicester, Redcar and Cleveland and Newham. 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 Hamilton Lanark
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 Glossop Derbyshire
4 Gateshead Durham
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leicester 010 Leicester
2 Redcar and Cleveland 009 Redcar and Cleveland
3 Leicester 017 Leicester
4 Redcar and Cleveland 021 Redcar and Cleveland
5 Newham 010 Newham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Mohan

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Mohan

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Mohan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Mohan household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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, Mohan 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

Mohan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Mohan

The surname Mohan has its origins in India, where it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 10th or 11th century. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'moha,' which means enchantment, delusion, or infatuation. The name is thought to have been initially used as a descriptive epithet for someone who was perceived as being captivated or enthralled by worldly pursuits or pleasures.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mohan can be found in the ancient Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita, where it is mentioned as the name of a sage or rishi. This suggests that the name has its roots in Hindu mythology and religious traditions.

In the 12th century, the name Mohan appeared in various historical records and manuscripts from the Indian subcontinent, particularly in regions such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Northern India. It is believed that the name gained popularity among certain communities and castes during this time.

The name Mohan has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most prominent individuals bearing this surname was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), the renowned Indian leader and advocate of non-violent civil disobedience, who played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence from British rule.

Another notable figure with the surname Mohan was Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), the founder of the Sikh Empire and a celebrated ruler of the early 19th century. He was known for his military prowess and his efforts to unify the Punjab region.

In the realm of literature, the Indian poet and writer Karoor Neelakanda Pillai (1712-1775), also known as Mohan Kavi, gained recognition for his works in the Malayalam language, which included the epic poem 'Bhagavadajjukam.'

The name Mohan has also been associated with various place names in India, such as Mohanpur, a town in West Bengal, and Mohangarh, a historical fort in Rajasthan. These place names may have derived from individuals bearing the surname Mohan who were influential or prominent figures in those regions.

Another notable bearer of the surname Mohan was Jag Mohan (1916-2008), an Indian civil servant and politician who served as the Governor of several states in India, including Goa, Assam, and Gujarat.

While the surname Mohan has its roots in India and is primarily associated with the Indian subcontinent, it has also gained recognition and usage in other parts of the world, particularly among the Indian diaspora communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Mohan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mohan 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. Yorkshire leads with 42 Mohans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.90x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 42 2.90x
Lanarkshire 39 8.24x
Lancashire 17 0.98x
Durham 13 2.99x
Dunbartonshire 10 25.43x
Essex 9 3.12x
Argyllshire 6 14.73x
Midlothian 5 2.55x
Cambridgeshire 4 4.32x
Middlesex 2 0.14x
Gloucestershire 1 0.35x
Lincolnshire 1 0.43x
Worcestershire 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 22 Mohans recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.37x.

Place Total Index
Barony 22 18.37x
Linthorpe 20 231.21x
Hamilton 9 68.18x
Middlesbrough 9 47.67x
Old Kilpatrick 9 193.55x
West Ham 8 12.55x
Eston 7 221.52x
Dunoon Kilmun 6 188.68x
Darlington 5 29.76x
Govan 5 4.27x
West Derby 5 9.84x
Haddenham 4 459.77x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 4 21.22x
Preston 4 8.61x
Edinburgh Tron Church 3 326.09x
Potto 3 2727.27x
Blackburn 2 4.33x
Bradford 2 24.60x
Dawdon 2 37.38x
Edinburgh St Johns 2 161.29x
Glasgow 2 2.38x
Islington London 2 1.41x
Leeds 2 2.44x
Stockton On Tees 2 9.53x
Cardross 1 21.19x
Carmunnock 1 277.78x
Clifton 1 6.89x
Everton 1 1.81x
Great Clacton 1 102.04x
Liverpool 1 0.95x
Manchester 1 1.28x
Thornaby 1 18.45x
Threckingham Swaton 1 714.29x
Whittingham 1 131.58x
Worcester St Peter 1 27.62x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 8
Patrick 5
James 4
Michael 3
Peter 3
William 3
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Francis 2
Owen 2
Robert 2
Thomas 2
Charles 1
Ernest 1
Felix 1
Henry 1
Martin 1
Michial 1
Philip 1
Phillip 1
Sylvester 1

FAQ

Mohan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mohan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 150 people were recorded with the Mohan surname. That placed it at #15,489 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mohan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,703 in 2016. That gives Mohan a modern rank of #3,666.

What does the Mohan surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, derived from Sanskrit, meaning "one who enchants or delights."

What does the Mohan map show?

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