NameCensus.

UK surname

Ranjan

A surname denoting one born at the dawn or morning hours.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Redbridge and Merton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ranjan is 245 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

245

2016, ranked #17,049

Peak year

2016

245 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 245 in 2016, ranked #17,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Ranjan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ranjan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ranjan 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 3 #33,861
1997 modern 39 #33,759
1998 modern 52 #32,732
1999 modern 55 #32,561
2000 modern 53 #32,805
2001 modern 53 #32,674
2002 modern 80 #30,387
2003 modern 86 #29,752
2004 modern 108 #26,741
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 120 #25,269
2007 modern 148 #22,406
2008 modern 151 #22,323
2009 modern 171 #21,024
2010 modern 181 #20,738
2011 modern 187 #20,132
2012 modern 213 #18,422
2013 modern 220 #18,324
2014 modern 230 #17,872
2015 modern 238 #17,378
2016 modern 245 #17,049

Geography

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Where Ranjans 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 Ealing, Redbridge, Merton, Wirral and Harrow. 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 Ealing 026 Ealing
2 Redbridge 036 Redbridge
3 Merton 015 Merton
4 Wirral 012 Wirral
5 Harrow 023 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ranjan

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ranjan

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

Ranjan 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

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

Meaning and origin of Ranjan

The surname Ranjan originated in India, specifically in the eastern regions of Bihar and West Bengal. It can be traced back to the 12th century or earlier, during the rule of the Pala Empire in the Indian subcontinent. Ranjan is derived from the Sanskrit word "ranjana," which means "to delight" or "to color."

One of the earliest records of the surname Ranjan appears in the Pala inscriptions, where it was used to refer to individuals who were involved in artistic pursuits, such as painting or dyeing textiles. The name may have been bestowed upon skilled artisans who were known for their ability to create vibrant and delightful colors or designs.

In the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata, there is a reference to a character named Ranjan, who was a skilled archer and warrior. This could indicate that the name was also associated with strength and bravery in ancient times.

The surname Ranjan can be found in various historical manuscripts and records from the medieval period in India, particularly in the regions of Bengal and Bihar. One notable bearer of this name was Ranjan Sen (1561-1625), a renowned Bengali poet and scholar who wrote extensively on religious and philosophical topics.

Another famous person with the surname Ranjan was Ranjan Chanda (1878-1936), a Bengali writer and journalist who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. He was a close associate of Rabindranath Tagore and contributed to the literary and political spheres of his time.

In the 20th century, Ranjan Mukherjee (1910-1988) was a prominent Indian painter and sculptor who was associated with the Bengal School of Art. His works are celebrated for their depiction of traditional Indian themes and his unique style of blending traditional and modern elements.

The surname Ranjan has also been found in other parts of India, such as the state of Punjab, where it was associated with the Khatri community. One notable bearer of this name from Punjab was Ranjan Singh (1917-1993), a renowned Indian classical vocalist who was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.

While the surname Ranjan has its roots in eastern India, it has spread across the country and can be found among various communities and regions, each with their own unique stories and associations with the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ranjan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ranjan 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. Royal Navy leads with 1 Ranjans recorded in 1881 and an index of 909.09x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 1 909.09x

FAQ

Ranjan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ranjan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 245 in 2016. That gives Ranjan a modern rank of #17,049.

What does the Ranjan surname mean?

A surname denoting one born at the dawn or morning hours.

What does the Ranjan map show?

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