NameCensus.

UK surname

Rajah

An Indian surname denoting royal or princely status.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kirklees and Croydon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rajah is 346 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

297

2016, ranked #14,839

Peak year

2010

346 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 297 in 2016, ranked #14,839.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Rajah surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rajah surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rajah 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 214 #16,893
1998 modern 227 #16,754
1999 modern 227 #16,834
2000 modern 247 #15,864
2001 modern 239 #15,963
2002 modern 263 #15,277
2003 modern 269 #14,855
2004 modern 276 #14,684
2005 modern 276 #14,579
2006 modern 282 #14,459
2007 modern 289 #14,401
2008 modern 309 #13,860
2009 modern 341 #13,214
2010 modern 346 #13,352
2011 modern 331 #13,641
2012 modern 330 #13,571
2013 modern 324 #13,961
2014 modern 324 #14,058
2015 modern 312 #14,347
2016 modern 297 #14,839

Geography

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Where Rajahs 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 Kirklees 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 Kirklees 013 Kirklees
2 Kirklees 012 Kirklees
3 Croydon 003 Croydon
4 Kirklees 010 Kirklees
5 Croydon 004 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rajah

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rajah

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Rajah is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rajah 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

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

Meaning and origin of Rajah

The surname Rajah is derived from the Sanskrit word "raja" which translates to "king" or "ruler." It originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions now known as India and Pakistan. The name can be traced back to ancient times when kings and nobles bore titles such as "raja" or "rajah."

The earliest known use of the surname Rajah dates back to the medieval period, around the 11th century. It is believed that some individuals who held positions of power or were associated with royalty adopted the title "Rajah" as their surname. This practice was common among the ruling classes and aristocracy in various regions of the Indian subcontinent.

In historical records, the surname Rajah appears in several ancient texts and manuscripts documenting royal lineages and court chronicles. One notable mention can be found in the Akbarnama, a 16th-century biography of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, where several individuals with the surname Rajah are listed as courtiers and officials.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Rajah was Raja Ram Rajah, a prominent scholar and poet who lived in the 15th century. He is known for his works in Sanskrit literature and his contributions to the philosophical and literary traditions of his time.

Another notable figure was Raja Todar Mal Rajah, a distinguished finance minister and one of the nine jewels (Navaratnas) in the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He is credited with implementing significant administrative reforms and establishing an efficient revenue collection system during the 16th century.

In the 18th century, Raja Ravi Varma Rajah was a renowned artist and painter who is celebrated for his contributions to the Indian art renaissance. His realistic depictions of mythological and historical scenes have left a lasting impact on the artistic traditions of India.

The surname Rajah has also been associated with several place names, such as Rajahpur, Rajahganj, and Rajahbari, which were named after local rulers or individuals bearing the title "Rajah."

Throughout history, the surname Rajah has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including rulers, nobles, scholars, artists, and individuals who held positions of power and influence. While the name originated in the Indian subcontinent, it has since spread to other regions through migration and cultural exchange.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Rajah surname: questions and answers

How common is the Rajah surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 297 in 2016. That gives Rajah a modern rank of #14,839.

What does the Rajah surname mean?

An Indian surname denoting royal or princely status.

What does the Rajah map show?

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