NameCensus.

UK surname

Rasul

A surname derived from the Arabic word meaning "messenger" or "prophet".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Oldham, Houston South and Blackburn with Darwen.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rasul is 1,144 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,131

2016, ranked #5,205

Peak year

2010

1,144 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,131 in 2016, ranked #5,205.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Rasul surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rasul surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rasul 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 1 #34,435
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 623 #7,941
1998 modern 674 #7,699
1999 modern 696 #7,558
2000 modern 734 #7,231
2001 modern 723 #7,179
2002 modern 797 #6,794
2003 modern 831 #6,451
2004 modern 881 #6,201
2005 modern 911 #5,970
2006 modern 957 #5,756
2007 modern 1,002 #5,601
2008 modern 1,038 #5,474
2009 modern 1,069 #5,456
2010 modern 1,144 #5,265
2011 modern 1,140 #5,215
2012 modern 1,114 #5,237
2013 modern 1,121 #5,290
2014 modern 1,140 #5,237
2015 modern 1,138 #5,202
2016 modern 1,131 #5,205

Geography

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Where Rasuls 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 Oldham, Houston South, Blackburn with Darwen, Woodlands and Hartlepool. 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 Oldham 035 Oldham
2 Houston South Renfrewshire
3 Blackburn with Darwen 003 Blackburn with Darwen
4 Woodlands Glasgow City
5 Hartlepool 007 Hartlepool

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rasul

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Rasul

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Rasul 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

Rasul 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

Rasul falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rasul is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
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 Rasul, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rasul

The surname "RASUL" has its origins in the Arabic language. It is derived from the word "Rasul," which means "messenger" or "prophet." The name is closely associated with the Islamic faith and can be traced back to the Arabian Peninsula during the 7th century CE.

In the early days of Islam, the name "Rasul" was often used to refer to the Prophet Muhammad, who is regarded as the final messenger of God in the Islamic tradition. This association with the Prophet Muhammad and the spread of Islam contributed to the widespread use of the name across various regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "RASUL" can be found in the historical records of the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, which ruled over vast territories spanning from the Middle East to North Africa and parts of Europe. During this period, the name was commonly used by individuals who played significant roles in the propagation and administration of the Islamic faith.

In the 10th century, a renowned scholar and historian named Al-Tabari, whose full name was Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, wrote extensively about the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the early history of Islam. His works, including the monumental "Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk" (History of the Prophets and Kings), are considered invaluable sources for understanding the origins and development of the Islamic civilization.

Another notable figure with the surname "RASUL" was Shah Rasul, a revered Sufi saint from the 16th century who lived in the region of present-day Pakistan. His shrine, located in the city of Sialkot, is a popular pilgrimage site for both Muslims and non-Muslims, and his teachings continue to influence the spiritual traditions of the region.

In the 19th century, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a prominent Muslim philosopher and educator from British India, was also known by the surname "RASUL." He played a pivotal role in the establishment of modern educational institutions in the subcontinent and was a proponent of reconciling traditional Islamic teachings with Western science and education.

More recently, Dr. Abdus Salam, a Pakistani theoretical physicist who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979, carried the surname "RASUL." His contributions to the field of particle physics and his advocacy for science education in developing countries have made him a celebrated figure in the scientific community.

Throughout its history, the surname "RASUL" has been closely associated with the Islamic faith, scholarship, and intellectual pursuits. While its origins can be traced back to the Arabian Peninsula, the name has since been embraced by diverse communities across various regions, reflecting the widespread influence of Islamic culture and traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Rasul surname: questions and answers

How common is the Rasul surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,131 in 2016. That gives Rasul a modern rank of #5,205.

What does the Rasul surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word meaning "messenger" or "prophet".

What does the Rasul map show?

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