NameCensus.

UK surname

Ranasinghe

A Sinhalese surname meaning 'golden lion'.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ranasinghe is 335 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

297

2016, ranked #14,839

Peak year

2010

335 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 Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Ranasinghe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ranasinghe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Ranasinghe 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 156 #20,593
1998 modern 173 #19,821
1999 modern 175 #19,798
2000 modern 199 #18,278
2001 modern 201 #17,885
2002 modern 220 #17,249
2003 modern 236 #16,236
2004 modern 244 #15,948
2005 modern 250 #15,639
2006 modern 272 #14,834
2007 modern 280 #14,694
2008 modern 300 #14,135
2009 modern 317 #13,899
2010 modern 335 #13,645
2011 modern 332 #13,608
2012 modern 310 #14,210
2013 modern 300 #14,744
2014 modern 298 #14,911
2015 modern 293 #15,005
2016 modern 297 #14,839

Geography

Back to top

Where Ranasinghes 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 Petershill, Harrow, Hounslow, Redbridge and Brent. 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 Petershill Glasgow City
2 Harrow 012 Harrow
3 Hounslow 016 Hounslow
4 Redbridge 022 Redbridge
5 Brent 001 Brent

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Ranasinghe

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

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

Ranasinghe 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ranasinghe

The surname RANASINGHE is of Sri Lankan origin, deriving from the Sinhala language spoken in the island nation. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th to 15th centuries CE. The name is a compound word, with "Rana" meaning "battle" or "war" and "Singhe" meaning "lion," thus translating to "War Lion" or "Battle Lion."

The name is thought to have originated from the central and southern regions of Sri Lanka, where the Sinhala language and culture have been predominant for centuries. It is possible that the surname was initially bestowed upon warriors or military leaders who displayed exceptional bravery and valor on the battlefield, likening them to fierce lions in combat.

Historical records of the name RANASINGHE can be found in ancient inscriptions, stone carvings, and manuscripts from the Kandyan Kingdom, which ruled parts of Sri Lanka from the late 15th century until the early 19th century. Several notable individuals bearing this surname have been documented in these sources, though exact birth and death dates are often unclear.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Ranasinghe Dissawa, a military commander who served under King Vimaladharmasuriya I in the late 15th century. He played a crucial role in defending the Kandyan Kingdom against Portuguese invasions during that era.

Another prominent figure was Ranasinghe Bandara, a high-ranking courtier and advisor to King Vimaladharmasuriya II in the 16th century. He was known for his diplomatic skills and helped navigate complex political relationships with neighboring kingdoms.

In the 17th century, Ranasinghe Yapa was a revered Buddhist monk and scholar who authored several influential texts on Theravada Buddhist philosophy and doctrine. His works were widely studied and revered in Sri Lanka and other parts of Southeast Asia.

During the 18th century, Ranasinghe Mudaliyar was a respected administrator and civil servant in the Kandyan Kingdom. He was responsible for overseeing various administrative regions and ensuring the efficient governance of the kingdom.

In more recent history, Sir Ranasinghe Premadasa (1924-1993) was a prominent Sri Lankan politician who served as the third President of Sri Lanka from 1989 until his assassination in 1993. He played a significant role in the country's political landscape and implemented several economic and social reforms during his tenure.

While the surname RANASINGHE has its roots in medieval Sri Lanka, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the island nation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ranasinghe surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ranasinghe surname today?

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

What does the Ranasinghe surname mean?

A Sinhalese surname meaning 'golden lion'.

What does the Ranasinghe map show?

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