NameCensus.

UK surname

Nawaz

A surname potentially derived from the Arabic term "navvaz" meaning generous or opulent.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hyndburn, Luton and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Nawaz is 4,193 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

4,183

2016, ranked #1,618

Peak year

2014

4,193 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,183 in 2016, ranked #1,618.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Nawaz surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Nawaz surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Nawaz 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 1,617 #3,663
1998 modern 1,789 #3,463
1999 modern 1,978 #3,206
2000 modern 2,018 #3,144
2001 modern 2,045 #3,055
2002 modern 2,406 #2,705
2003 modern 2,530 #2,541
2004 modern 2,751 #2,381
2005 modern 2,953 #2,195
2006 modern 3,140 #2,069
2007 modern 3,341 #1,973
2008 modern 3,483 #1,906
2009 modern 3,790 #1,796
2010 modern 4,036 #1,717
2011 modern 4,029 #1,704
2012 modern 4,014 #1,675
2013 modern 4,154 #1,647
2014 modern 4,193 #1,641
2015 modern 4,178 #1,631
2016 modern 4,183 #1,618

Geography

Back to top

Where Nawaz' 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 Hyndburn, Luton, Birmingham, Pendle and Slough. 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 Hyndburn 006 Hyndburn
2 Luton 010 Luton
3 Birmingham 140 Birmingham
4 Pendle 011 Pendle
5 Slough 004 Slough

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Nawaz

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Nawaz

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

Nawaz 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

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

Meaning and origin of Nawaz

The surname "NAWAZ" is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "nawwaz," which means "one who bestows favors" or "one who is generous." The name is believed to have originated in the Arabian Peninsula, where it was likely used as a descriptive nickname or title for individuals who were known for their generosity and charitable nature.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "NAWAZ" can be found in historical manuscripts and records from the medieval Islamic world. One of the earliest known individuals with this surname was Abu Nawwaz al-Khurasani, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in Khurasan (present-day Iran and Afghanistan) during the 9th century CE.

During the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE), the name gained prominence as it was adopted by several prominent individuals, including Nawaz al-Din al-Baghdadi, a renowned jurist and scholar who lived in Baghdad during the 12th century. Another notable figure was Nawaz Khan, a military commander who served under the Mughal Empire in the 16th century.

As the Islamic empires expanded, the name "NAWAZ" spread throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. In India, the name became particularly prevalent among Muslims, and it can be found in various historical records and documents from the Mughal period (1526-1857 CE).

One of the most famous individuals with the surname "NAWAZ" was Nawab Saadat Ali Khan II (1752-1838), the Nawab of Awadh (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India). He was a prominent patron of the arts and architecture, and his reign is celebrated for the construction of numerous notable buildings, including the Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow.

Another notable figure was Nawaz Ismail Khan (1819-1876), a military commander and governor of the Sikh Empire in the 19th century. He played a crucial role in the First Anglo-Sikh War and was known for his bravery and leadership skills.

In more recent times, Nawaz Sharif (born 1949), a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has brought widespread recognition to the surname "NAWAZ." He served three non-consecutive terms as the Prime Minister and is known for his efforts to promote democracy and economic reforms in Pakistan.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Nawaz surname: questions and answers

How common is the Nawaz surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,183 in 2016. That gives Nawaz a modern rank of #1,618.

What does the Nawaz surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from the Arabic term "navvaz" meaning generous or opulent.

What does the Nawaz map show?

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