NameCensus.

UK surname

Najeeb

A surname of Arabic origin meaning noble or distinguished.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Najeeb is 268 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

261

2016, ranked #16,309

Peak year

2011

268 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 261 in 2016, ranked #16,309.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Najeeb surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Najeeb surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Najeeb 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 103 #26,498
1998 modern 99 #27,785
1999 modern 115 #25,620
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 126 #23,883
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 151 #21,574
2004 modern 168 #20,300
2005 modern 174 #19,783
2006 modern 192 #18,753
2007 modern 208 #18,013
2008 modern 235 #16,777
2009 modern 254 #16,230
2010 modern 266 #16,067
2011 modern 268 #15,843
2012 modern 251 #16,467
2013 modern 260 #16,350
2014 modern 259 #16,509
2015 modern 262 #16,278
2016 modern 261 #16,309

Geography

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Where Najeebs 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 Bradford, Rotherham, Derby, Barking and Dagenham and Northumberland. 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 Bradford 044 Bradford
2 Rotherham 016 Rotherham
3 Derby 018 Derby
4 Barking and Dagenham 016 Barking and Dagenham
5 Northumberland 034 Northumberland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Najeeb

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Najeeb

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

Najeeb 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

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

Meaning and origin of Najeeb

The surname Najeeb originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle East. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 7th or 8th century CE, when Arabic culture and language spread across the region.

Najeeb is derived from the Arabic word "najeeb," which means "noble" or "distinguished." It was likely initially used as a descriptive term to refer to individuals of high social status or those with admirable qualities. Over time, it transitioned into a hereditary surname passed down through generations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Najeeb can be found in the chronicles of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled a vast empire stretching from North Africa to Central Asia between the 8th and 13th centuries. These chronicles mention several prominent figures bearing the name Najeeb, indicating its use during that era.

During the Ottoman Empire's reign, which spanned from the 13th to the early 20th century, the Najeeb surname was particularly prevalent in regions like Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. Historical records from this period, such as tax registers and legal documents, contain numerous references to individuals with the surname Najeeb.

One notable individual from this era was Al-Najeeb Al-Mutawakkil (1232-1294), a renowned scholar and mathematician from Damascus. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and wrote several influential treatises on the subject.

Another prominent figure was Najeeb Arbuthnot (1768-1850), an East India Company officer and diplomat who played a crucial role in the Anglo-Sikh Wars in the early 19th century. His negotiations with the Sikh Empire helped shape the political landscape of the region.

In the 20th century, Najeeb Halaby (1915-2003), an American businessman and former CEO of Pan American World Airways, was a prominent figure with this surname. He was also the father of Queen Noor of Jordan, the wife of the late King Hussein.

Najeeb Mahfoud (1911-1986), a renowned Lebanese writer and playwright, was another notable figure. His works, which explored themes of identity and social issues, had a significant impact on Arabic literature and theater.

Lastly, Najeeb Razak (1956-2022), a Malaysian politician and former Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018, carried this distinguished surname. He played a crucial role in the country's political and economic development during his tenure.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Najeeb surname: questions and answers

How common is the Najeeb surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 261 in 2016. That gives Najeeb a modern rank of #16,309.

What does the Najeeb surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning noble or distinguished.

What does the Najeeb map show?

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