NameCensus.

UK surname

Raouf

An Arabic surname meaning "clement" or "kind."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bournemouth, Newham and Kingston upon Thames.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Raouf is 135 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

122

2016, ranked #27,255

Peak year

2014

135 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016, ranked #27,255.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Raouf surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Raouf surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Raouf 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 42 #33,459
1998 modern 42 #33,651
1999 modern 49 #33,130
2000 modern 65 #31,641
2001 modern 63 #31,693
2002 modern 72 #31,269
2003 modern 70 #31,486
2004 modern 85 #30,132
2005 modern 78 #31,058
2006 modern 77 #31,510
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 91 #30,431
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 114 #27,784
2012 modern 120 #26,961
2013 modern 126 #26,585
2014 modern 135 #25,581
2015 modern 125 #26,808
2016 modern 122 #27,255

Geography

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Where Raoufs 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 Bournemouth, Newham, Kingston upon Thames, Sheffield and Gwynedd. 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 Bournemouth 013 Bournemouth
2 Newham 018 Newham
3 Kingston upon Thames 015 Kingston upon Thames
4 Sheffield 042 Sheffield
5 Gwynedd 010 Gwynedd

Forenames

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First names often paired with Raouf

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

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

Raouf 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

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

Meaning and origin of Raouf

The surname RAOUF is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in the Arab regions. It is an Arabic name derived from the root word "ra'uf," which means "kind," "compassionate," or "merciful." The name likely emerged during the early Islamic era, when Arabic names were widely adopted across the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name RAOUF can be found in historical documents from the 7th century AD, during the Umayyad Caliphate. It is mentioned in records of prominent scholars and religious figures from that time period. The name gained popularity among Arab communities, particularly in regions like Egypt, Syria, and the Levant.

During the medieval period, the name RAOUF appeared in various manuscripts and records, including those documenting trade and commerce in the Mediterranean region. It was often associated with merchants, artisans, and scholars who played a significant role in the cultural and economic exchanges between the Arab world and other civilizations.

In the 13th century, RAOUF al-Din al-Raouf, a renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher from Damascus, gained recognition for his contributions to the field of logic and metaphysics. His works were widely studied and referenced by scholars across the Islamic world.

Another notable figure with the surname RAOUF was Ahmed Raouf Pasha, an Egyptian statesman and diplomat who served as the Prime Minister of Egypt from 1924 to 1926. He played a crucial role in negotiating the abolition of the British protectorate over Egypt and establishing the country's independence.

In the 19th century, Raouf Pasha (1834-1907), an Ottoman statesman and military officer, held prominent positions in the Ottoman Empire, including the role of Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) from 1878 to 1879. He was known for his efforts to modernize the Ottoman military and administrative systems.

The surname RAOUF has also been associated with various place names and geographical locations across the Middle East and North Africa. For instance, there are villages and towns with names like Raouf, Raoufiyah, and Raoufabad, which may have been named after individuals bearing the surname or derived from the same root word.

Throughout history, the surname RAOUF has been carried by scholars, statesmen, military figures, and individuals from diverse professions and backgrounds, reflecting the widespread nature of this name in the Arab world and its longstanding presence in the region's cultural and historical narratives.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Raouf surname: questions and answers

How common is the Raouf surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 122 in 2016. That gives Raouf a modern rank of #27,255.

What does the Raouf surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "clement" or "kind."

What does the Raouf map show?

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