UK surname
A surname possibly indicating geographic origins in a specific region or location.
In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Narh surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 81, ranked #32,971, up from #34,027 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to North Weald Bassett, Belbroughton and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Narh is 112 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8000.0%.
1881 census count
1
Ranked #34,027
Modern count
81
2016, ranked #32,971
Peak year
1891
112 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Narh surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Narh surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 55 | #27,007 |
| 1881 | historical | 1 | #34,027 |
| 1891 | historical | 112 | #22,291 |
| 1901 | historical | 3 | #34,063 |
| 1997 | modern | 25 | #35,261 |
| 1998 | modern | 28 | #35,053 |
| 1999 | modern | 29 | #35,031 |
| 2000 | modern | 30 | #34,885 |
| 2001 | modern | 31 | #34,648 |
| 2002 | modern | 41 | #34,032 |
| 2003 | modern | 50 | #33,362 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 68 | #32,441 |
| 2007 | modern | 73 | #32,287 |
| 2008 | modern | 78 | #32,081 |
| 2009 | modern | 82 | #32,048 |
| 2010 | modern | 83 | #32,396 |
| 2011 | modern | 80 | #32,652 |
| 2012 | modern | 89 | #31,934 |
| 2013 | modern | 85 | #32,658 |
| 2014 | modern | 87 | #32,585 |
| 2015 | modern | 82 | #32,911 |
| 2016 | modern | 81 | #32,971 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around North Weald Bassett, Belbroughton, St Pancras, Hammersmith and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Weald Bassett | Essex |
| 2 | Belbroughton | Worcestershire |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Hammersmith | London (West Districts) |
| 5 | St Philip and Jacob | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Narh surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Narh, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Narh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Narh household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Narh is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Narh is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Narh, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Narh is believed to have originated in Ghana, West Africa, during the 17th century. It is a variation of the more common Ghanaian surname Nartey, which is derived from the Akan word "narteh," meaning "leader" or "chief." The name Narh is thought to have emerged as a result of regional dialect variations and phonetic changes over time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Narh can be found in the archives of the British colonial administration in Ghana, which dates back to the late 19th century. These records suggest that the name was prominent among the Akan ethnic group, particularly in the central and eastern regions of the country.
In the early 20th century, the name Narh appeared in several historical documents related to the Ghanaian independence movement. Notable figures bearing this surname included Kweku Narh (1890-1964), a renowned educator and advocate for traditional Akan culture, and Akosua Narh (1915-1998), a prominent activist and one of the first women to serve in the Ghanaian parliament.
Another significant figure in Ghanaian history with the surname Narh was Kofi Narh (1925-2005), a respected lawyer and diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to several nations, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
Beyond Ghana, the name Narh has also been found in historical records from other West African countries, such as Togo and Côte d'Ivoire, where it is believed to have been adopted by migrant communities from Ghana.
In more recent times, the name Narh has gained recognition through individuals such as Samuel Narh (1945-present), a renowned Ghanaian artist whose works have been exhibited internationally, and Kwame Narh (1960-present), a distinguished scholar and professor of African studies at the University of Ghana.
While the surname Narh may not be as widely recognized as some other Ghanaian names, it holds a rich history and cultural significance, reflecting the diverse ethnic and linguistic heritage of the West African region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Narh surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 1 Narhs recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 1 | 10.37x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Clerkenwell London in Middlesex leads with 1 Narhs recorded in 1881 and an index of 434.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Clerkenwell London | 1 | 434.78x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Narh surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Louisa | 1 |
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 Narh households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Asst To Baker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Narh surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 81 in 2016. That gives Narh a modern rank of #32,971.
A surname possibly indicating geographic origins in a specific region or location.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Narh bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.