NameCensus.

UK surname

Perumal

A surname indicating great veneration or highly revered status.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Perumal is 142 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

142

2016, ranked #24,625

Peak year

2010

142 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016, ranked #24,625.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Perumal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Perumal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Perumal 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 31 #34,582
1998 modern 31 #34,740
1999 modern 40 #33,967
2000 modern 39 #34,066
2001 modern 41 #33,753
2002 modern 52 #33,110
2003 modern 51 #33,266
2004 modern 66 #32,079
2005 modern 80 #30,842
2006 modern 96 #28,946
2007 modern 107 #27,557
2008 modern 119 #26,067
2009 modern 130 #25,176
2010 modern 142 #24,352
2011 modern 134 #25,050
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 138 #25,020
2014 modern 138 #25,218
2015 modern 135 #25,481
2016 modern 142 #24,625

Geography

Back to top

Where Perumals 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 Newham, Hammersmith and Fulham, Reading, Brentwood 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 Newham 010 Newham
2 Hammersmith and Fulham 001 Hammersmith and Fulham
3 Reading 011 Reading
4 Brentwood 008 Brentwood
5 Croydon 011 Croydon

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Perumal

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

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

Perumal 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

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

Meaning and origin of Perumal

The surname Perumal originates from Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. It is believed to have derived from the Tamil word 'Perumal', which means 'great person' or 'lord'. This name was initially used as a title or honorific for revered individuals or deities in Hindu culture.

The earliest known records of the surname Perumal can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the reign of the Pallava dynasty in Tamil Nadu. It was used as a title for prominent figures, including rulers and religious leaders. Some ancient inscriptions from this period mention individuals with the name Perumal or variations of it.

During the 9th to 13th centuries, the Chola Empire, which ruled over large parts of southern India, also employed the title Perumal for influential personalities. Historical records from the Chola period, such as temple inscriptions and literary works, contain references to individuals bearing this name.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Perumal was Kulothunga Chola I, a renowned ruler of the Chola Empire who lived from 1070 to 1122 CE. He was also known as Kulothunga Perumal and was known for his military conquests and patronage of arts and architecture.

Another notable figure was Ramanuja Perumal (1017-1137 CE), a renowned Hindu philosopher and theologian who played a pivotal role in the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He was instrumental in propagating the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism).

In the 16th century, Govinda Dikshitar Perumal (1495-1570 CE) was a prominent scholar and poet who wrote several works in Tamil and Sanskrit. He was a respected figure in the Sri Vaishnava tradition and is known for his devotional compositions.

During the 17th century, Tiru Kachi Perumal Mudali (1622-1686 CE) was a prominent merchant and philanthropist from Tamil Nadu. He was known for his charitable works, including the construction of temples and educational institutions.

In more recent times, Sir Annamalai Chettiar Perumal (1865-1948 CE) was a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu and made significant contributions to education and social welfare.

While the surname Perumal has its roots in Tamil Nadu, it has spread to other parts of India and even beyond, with people of Tamil origin carrying this name. However, the historical significance and cultural connections of this surname remain deeply rooted in the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu and its ancient traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Perumal surname: questions and answers

How common is the Perumal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016. That gives Perumal a modern rank of #24,625.

What does the Perumal surname mean?

A surname indicating great veneration or highly revered status.

What does the Perumal map show?

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