NameCensus.

UK surname

Narain

A Hindu surname of Indian origin meaning 'supreme God' or 'lord'.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Redbridge and Croydon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Narain is 169 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

162

2016, ranked #22,512

Peak year

2010

169 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016, ranked #22,512.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 14 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Narain surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Narain surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Narain 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 14 #32,072
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 104 #26,351
1998 modern 110 #26,129
1999 modern 119 #25,095
2000 modern 113 #25,843
2001 modern 110 #25,900
2002 modern 117 #25,494
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 125 #24,398
2006 modern 137 #23,270
2007 modern 144 #22,804
2008 modern 145 #22,929
2009 modern 165 #21,552
2010 modern 169 #21,652
2011 modern 152 #23,101
2012 modern 167 #21,598
2013 modern 164 #22,236
2014 modern 165 #22,356
2015 modern 165 #22,241
2016 modern 162 #22,512

Geography

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Where Narains 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 Camden, Redbridge and Croydon. 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 Camden 014 Camden
2 Redbridge 031 Redbridge
3 Redbridge 033 Redbridge
4 Camden 011 Camden
5 Croydon 010 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Narain

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

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

Narain 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

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

Meaning and origin of Narain

The surname NARAIN originated in India and has its roots in the Sanskrit language. It is believed to have been derived from the word "Nara," which means "man" or "leader," and "Aina," meaning "mirror" or "reflection." Thus, the name NARAIN could be interpreted as "the leader who reflects."

NARAIN is commonly found in northern and central regions of India, particularly in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. It is primarily associated with the Brahmin and Kshatriya communities, which were traditionally scholars, priests, and warriors.

One of the earliest known references to the name NARAIN can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Upanishads. These texts mention individuals with this name as important figures in various religious and philosophical contexts.

In the 12th century, a renowned poet and scholar named Narain Pandit gained recognition for his literary works, including the Narain Sataka, a collection of verses on various subjects. He was born in the village of Nandgaon, near present-day Varanasi, and lived from 1110 to 1185 CE.

Another notable figure with the surname NARAIN was Maharaja Narain Chand, who ruled the princely state of Kota in Rajasthan during the 18th century. He was known for his patronage of the arts and literature, and his reign saw the construction of several architectural marvels, including the Kota Fort and the Jagannath Temple.

In the 19th century, Pandit Narain Dutt Shastri, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and educator, made significant contributions to the study of ancient Indian texts. He was born in 1825 in Varanasi and played a crucial role in establishing the Sanskrit College in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

During the Indian independence movement, Narain Prasad Mandal, born in 1898 in Bihar, was a prominent figure who advocated for the rights of the backward classes and worked towards their upliftment. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and played a vital role in shaping the country's constitution.

In more recent times, Dr. Narain Karthikeyan, an acclaimed scientist and space researcher, made significant contributions to India's space program. Born in 1924 in Tamil Nadu, he worked for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and played a pivotal role in the development of India's first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-3.

The surname NARAIN has a rich history and has been associated with individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields, including literature, religion, politics, and science. Its origins can be traced back to ancient India, and it continues to be a prominent surname in the country today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Narain surname: questions and answers

How common is the Narain surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016. That gives Narain a modern rank of #22,512.

What does the Narain surname mean?

A Hindu surname of Indian origin meaning 'supreme God' or 'lord'.

What does the Narain map show?

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