NameCensus.

UK surname

Murtaza

An Anglicized form of the Arabic name Murtadha, meaning "one who is chosen or approved."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackburn with Darwen, Birmingham and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Murtaza is 492 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

492

2016, ranked #10,096

Peak year

2016

492 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 492 in 2016, ranked #10,096.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Murtaza surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Murtaza surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Murtaza 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 160 #20,259
1998 modern 178 #19,452
1999 modern 187 #18,999
2000 modern 194 #18,554
2001 modern 196 #18,146
2002 modern 237 #16,413
2003 modern 238 #16,144
2004 modern 259 #15,348
2005 modern 277 #14,542
2006 modern 305 #13,766
2007 modern 330 #13,142
2008 modern 366 #12,285
2009 modern 386 #12,044
2010 modern 424 #11,449
2011 modern 423 #11,333
2012 modern 443 #10,796
2013 modern 454 #10,762
2014 modern 456 #10,781
2015 modern 474 #10,418
2016 modern 492 #10,096

Geography

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Where Murtazas 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 Blackburn with Darwen, Birmingham, Kirklees, Manchester 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 Blackburn with Darwen 004 Blackburn with Darwen
2 Birmingham 051 Birmingham
3 Kirklees 043 Kirklees
4 Manchester 008 Manchester
5 Bradford 030 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Murtaza

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Murtaza

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Murtaza is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Murtaza 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

Murtaza falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Murtaza 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
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Murtaza, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Murtaza

The surname MURTAZA has its origins in the Arabic language and is believed to have emerged in the Middle East during the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Arabic word "murtaza," which means "chosen one" or "chosen by God." The name holds significant religious and cultural significance in the Islamic tradition.

In the early days of Islam, the name MURTAZA was often used as an honorific title for individuals who were highly esteemed or revered within the Muslim community. It was commonly associated with prominent figures, scholars, and spiritual leaders who had made significant contributions to the faith.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MURTAZA can be found in the writings of Islamic scholars and historians from the 8th and 9th centuries. These sources often refer to individuals bearing this name, indicating its widespread use during that period.

The surname MURTAZA has been closely linked to the city of Karbala in modern-day Iraq, which is a significant religious site for Shia Muslims. Many historical records and manuscripts from the region mention individuals with this surname, suggesting its prevalence in the area.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname MURTAZA. One of the most famous was Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, who was also known as Ali al-Murtaza. He lived from 599 to 661 AD and played a crucial role in the early development of Islam.

Another prominent individual was Abu al-Qasim al-Murtaza, a renowned Shia scholar and theologian who lived in the 11th century AD. He was highly respected for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy.

In the 12th century, there was Nasir al-Din al-Murtaza, a notable Persian poet and philosopher who hailed from the city of Nishapur in present-day Iran. His works were widely acclaimed and influential during his lifetime.

During the 19th century, a reformist and activist named Murtaza Muhammad Ali Bahadur Ansari, better known as Murtaza Quli Khan, played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was born in 1825 and died in 1890.

In more recent times, Murtaza Bhutto, the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was a prominent figure in Pakistani politics. He was born in 1954 and was assassinated in 1996 during a political rally in Karachi.

While the surname MURTAZA has its roots in the Middle East and the Islamic tradition, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including South Asia, North Africa, and Europe, due to migration and cultural exchange.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Murtaza surname: questions and answers

How common is the Murtaza surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 492 in 2016. That gives Murtaza a modern rank of #10,096.

What does the Murtaza surname mean?

An Anglicized form of the Arabic name Murtadha, meaning "one who is chosen or approved."

What does the Murtaza map show?

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