NameCensus.

UK surname

Raina

A surname used in parts of Northern India, possibly derived from an ancient title denoting a warrior or ruler.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Raina surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 127, ranked #26,566, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wolverhampton, Harrow and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Raina is 132 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12600.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

127

2016, ranked #26,566

Peak year

2015

132 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Raina had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016, ranked #26,566.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 12 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Raina surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Raina surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Raina 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
1861 historical 12 #32,329
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 11 #33,268
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 40 #33,666
1998 modern 43 #33,557
1999 modern 39 #34,058
2000 modern 49 #33,187
2001 modern 53 #32,674
2002 modern 58 #32,564
2003 modern 57 #32,704
2004 modern 56 #33,067
2005 modern 57 #33,178
2006 modern 65 #32,743
2007 modern 71 #32,484
2008 modern 84 #31,370
2009 modern 89 #31,235
2010 modern 99 #30,397
2011 modern 93 #31,169
2012 modern 116 #27,550
2013 modern 114 #28,347
2014 modern 125 #26,896
2015 modern 132 #25,859
2016 modern 127 #26,566

Geography

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Where Rainas 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 Wolverhampton, Harrow, Sandwell and Ealing. 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 Wolverhampton 029 Wolverhampton
2 Harrow 025 Harrow
3 Sandwell 023 Sandwell
4 Wolverhampton 030 Wolverhampton
5 Ealing 038 Ealing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Raina

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Raina surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Raina household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Raina 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

Raina 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

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

Meaning and origin of Raina

The surname Raina is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the northern regions of India and present-day Pakistan. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "rājan," meaning king or ruler, suggesting that the name may have been associated with royalty or nobility in its early origins.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Raina can be traced back to the 16th century, although it is likely that the name existed even earlier. One of the earliest known individuals with this surname was Raja Raina, a prominent Hindu ruler who governed the region of Jammu in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the name Raina appeared in several historical documents and records, including the Ain-i-Akbari, a detailed administrative document compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text mentions several individuals with the surname Raina who held important positions within the Mughal administration.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Raina surname was particularly prevalent in the regions of Punjab and Kashmir, where it was associated with influential families and landowners. One notable figure from this period was Diwan Raina, a powerful minister who served under the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century.

Another prominent individual with the surname Raina was Sir Ganga Ram Raina, a renowned civil engineer and architect who was born in 1835 in Lahore, present-day Pakistan. He was responsible for designing and constructing several iconic buildings and infrastructure projects in British India, including the Muztagh Pass and the Malakand Fort.

In more recent times, the Raina surname has gained recognition through individuals such as Suresh Raina, an Indian cricketer who represented the Indian national team in all three formats of the game. He was born in 1986 and has had a successful career, earning numerous accolades and captaining the Indian team on several occasions.

While the name Raina has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and association with royalty and influential figures continue to be an integral part of its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Raina families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Raina 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Rainas recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Katherine in Middlesex leads with 1 Rainas recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
St Katherine 1 0.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Carlo 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 Raina households.

Occupation Count
Manager (Confectioner) 1

FAQ

Raina surname: questions and answers

How common was the Raina surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Raina surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Raina surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 127 in 2016. That gives Raina a modern rank of #26,566.

What does the Raina surname mean?

A surname used in parts of Northern India, possibly derived from an ancient title denoting a warrior or ruler.

What does the Raina map show?

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