NameCensus.

UK surname

Powar

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit word 'pravatara', meaning mountain dweller or highlander.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Powar surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 323, ranked #13,997, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Gravesham, Oadby and Wigston and Cardenden.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Powar is 335 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2836.4%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

323

2016, ranked #13,997

Peak year

2014

335 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Powar had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 323 in 2016, ranked #13,997.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 35 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Powar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Powar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Powar 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
1851 historical 6 #32,278
1861 historical 35 #29,571
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1997 modern 202 #17,514
1998 modern 212 #17,479
1999 modern 208 #17,808
2000 modern 219 #17,195
2001 modern 215 #17,159
2002 modern 233 #16,590
2003 modern 253 #15,493
2004 modern 281 #14,489
2005 modern 282 #14,368
2006 modern 297 #14,004
2007 modern 300 #14,048
2008 modern 303 #14,038
2009 modern 316 #13,933
2010 modern 324 #13,979
2011 modern 329 #13,694
2012 modern 303 #14,415
2013 modern 325 #13,924
2014 modern 335 #13,720
2015 modern 323 #13,991
2016 modern 323 #13,997

Geography

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Where Powars 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 Gravesham, Oadby and Wigston, Cardenden, Hillingdon and Birmingham. 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 Gravesham 003 Gravesham
2 Oadby and Wigston 003 Oadby and Wigston
3 Cardenden Fife
4 Hillingdon 033 Hillingdon
5 Birmingham 060 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Powar

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Narinder Kulvinder Jaswinder Gurpreet Rashpal Parmjit Balvinder Kulwinder Manjit Amandeep

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Powar

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Powar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Powar household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Powar 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

Powar is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Powar falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Powar 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 Powar, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Powar

The surname POWAR originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the western and central regions of India. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "pura," meaning "city" or "town," and may have been used as an occupational surname for individuals who lived or worked in or near towns or cities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the POWAR surname dates back to the 13th century, when it appeared in ancient manuscripts and inscriptions from the Deccan region of India. During this time, the POWAR family held prominent positions in the court of the Yadava dynasty, which ruled over parts of present-day Maharashtra and Karnataka.

In the 16th century, the POWAR surname gained further recognition when Maloji Rao POWAR served as a prominent military commander under the Maratha Empire. His descendants continued to play influential roles in the Maratha administration and military throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

Another notable individual with the POWAR surname was Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1883-1966), a prominent Indian independence activist, revolutionist, and writer. Savarkar was a leading figure in the Hindu nationalist movement and played a significant role in India's struggle for independence from British rule.

Gopal Krishna POWAR (1924-2015) was a renowned Indian classical vocalist and musicologist. He was conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his contributions to Hindustani classical music.

Sushila Nayar POWAR (1913-2009) was an Indian social worker and activist who dedicated her life to improving the lives of women and children. She founded several organizations, including the Indian Council for Child Welfare and the National Alliance of Women's Organizations.

The POWAR surname can also be found in various spellings and variations, such as Pawar, Pawaar, and Pouwar, reflecting regional linguistic differences and historical changes in pronunciation and spelling conventions.

While the POWAR surname has its roots in India, it has now spread worldwide due to migration and diaspora communities. However, it is important to note that the historical records and references mentioned in this report primarily focus on the surname's origins and early prominence in the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Powar families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Powar surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 8 Powars recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.87x.

County Total Index
Kent 8 21.87x
Glamorgan 3 16.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chatham in Kent leads with 7 Powars recorded in 1881 and an index of 693.07x.

Place Total Index
Chatham 7 693.07x
Ystradyfodwg 3 182.93x
Ramsgate 1 166.67x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Powar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Jane 2
Annie 1
Florence 1
Margaret 1
Priscilla 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Powar surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Thomas 2
Ernest 1
James 1
William 1

Top occupations

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 Powar households.

FAQ

Powar surname: questions and answers

How common was the Powar surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Powar surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Powar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 323 in 2016. That gives Powar a modern rank of #13,997.

What does the Powar surname mean?

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit word 'pravatara', meaning mountain dweller or highlander.

What does the Powar map show?

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