NameCensus.

UK surname

Panjwani

A surname used by members of the Panjabi community of South Asia.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Newham and Chelmsford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Panjwani is 156 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

153

2016, ranked #23,408

Peak year

2010

156 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016, ranked #23,408.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Panjwani surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Panjwani surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Panjwani 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 65 #31,141
1998 modern 75 #30,471
1999 modern 86 #29,496
2000 modern 93 #28,701
2001 modern 91 #28,670
2002 modern 93 #28,920
2003 modern 103 #27,234
2004 modern 115 #25,740
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 117 #25,695
2007 modern 129 #24,503
2008 modern 133 #24,350
2009 modern 141 #23,907
2010 modern 156 #22,886
2011 modern 146 #23,736
2012 modern 145 #23,780
2013 modern 140 #24,779
2014 modern 148 #24,075
2015 modern 149 #23,817
2016 modern 153 #23,408

Geography

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Where Panjwanis 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 Leicester, Newham and Chelmsford. 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 Leicester 017 Leicester
2 Leicester 021 Leicester
3 Newham 014 Newham
4 Chelmsford 008 Chelmsford
5 Newham 017 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Panjwani

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

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Panjwani is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Panjwani 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

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

Meaning and origin of Panjwani

The surname Panjwani originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically the region of Punjab, which is now divided between modern-day India and Pakistan. The name has its roots in the Persian language, with "panj" meaning "five" and "wani" meaning "settlement" or "village." Therefore, the name Panjwani likely referred to someone who hailed from a village or settlement of five houses or families.

The earliest recorded instances of the Panjwani surname can be traced back to the 16th century, during the Mughal Empire's rule over the Indian subcontinent. Historical records from this period mention individuals with variations of the name, such as Panjwana, Panjvani, and Panjvana, suggesting that the spelling has evolved over time.

One notable figure bearing the Panjwani name was Saeed Panjwani (1850-1923), a prominent Muslim leader and social reformer from the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai). He played a crucial role in establishing educational institutions and advocating for women's rights in the region.

Another individual of historical significance was Zulfiqar Ali Panjwani (1914-1997), a Pakistani diplomat and civil servant who served as the country's Foreign Secretary from 1968 to 1972. He was instrumental in shaping Pakistan's foreign policy during a critical period in its history.

In the realm of literature, Shahid Panjwani (1936-2021) was a celebrated Urdu poet and writer from Pakistan. His works explored themes of love, spirituality, and socio-political issues. He received numerous accolades, including the Pride of Performance award from the Pakistani government.

The Panjwani surname also found representation in the world of sports. Amir Panjwani (born 1981) is a former Pakistani cricketer who played domestic cricket for teams like Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Another notable bearer of the name was Ghulam Mustafa Panjwani (1895-1969), an Indian lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, which drafted the country's constitution after independence.

While the Panjwani surname has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, the name's rich history and cultural significance remain deeply rooted in the region's past.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Panjwani surname: questions and answers

How common is the Panjwani surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016. That gives Panjwani a modern rank of #23,408.

What does the Panjwani surname mean?

A surname used by members of the Panjabi community of South Asia.

What does the Panjwani map show?

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