NameCensus.

UK surname

Rawal

A surname possibly derived from "rahval" meaning a caravan leader or guide.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rawal is 455 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

444

2016, ranked #10,905

Peak year

2010

455 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 444 in 2016, ranked #10,905.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Rawal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rawal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rawal 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
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 299 #13,563
1998 modern 306 #13,720
1999 modern 327 #13,209
2000 modern 330 #13,066
2001 modern 328 #12,944
2002 modern 339 #12,911
2003 modern 341 #12,655
2004 modern 347 #12,516
2005 modern 362 #12,066
2006 modern 379 #11,688
2007 modern 414 #11,072
2008 modern 428 #10,869
2009 modern 433 #11,031
2010 modern 455 #10,802
2011 modern 435 #11,066
2012 modern 431 #11,047
2013 modern 446 #10,911
2014 modern 445 #11,002
2015 modern 439 #11,035
2016 modern 444 #10,905

Geography

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Where Rawals 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 Harrow, Barnet and Redbridge. 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 Harrow 023 Harrow
2 Harrow 033 Harrow
3 Barnet 029 Barnet
4 Redbridge 020 Redbridge
5 Harrow 005 Harrow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rawal

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

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

Rawal 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

Rawal falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rawal 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 Rawal, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Rawal

The surname RAWAL is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the northern regions of present-day India and Pakistan. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "raval," which means "warrior" or "prince." The name has a long and storied history dating back to ancient times.

In the medieval period, the RAWAL surname was associated with the Rajput warrior clans that ruled over various parts of northern India. These clans were renowned for their bravery and martial prowess, and the name RAWAL was a source of pride and honor for those who bore it.

One of the earliest recorded references to the RAWAL surname can be found in the chronicles of the Chauhan dynasty, which ruled over parts of present-day Rajasthan and Delhi from the 8th to the 12th century. The Chauhan rulers were known as "Rawals," and their descendants continued to use the surname for generations.

The RAWAL surname also has connections to the city of Rawalpindi in modern-day Pakistan. The city's name is derived from the same Sanskrit root, and it is believed to have been founded by a RAWAL ruler in the 16th century.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the RAWAL surname. One of the most famous was Rana Rawal Singh Chundawat, a 16th-century Rajput warrior who fought against the Mughal Empire and is celebrated in folk tales and ballads for his bravery and valor.

Another prominent figure was Raja Rawal Dev Singh, a 19th-century ruler of the princely state of Kishangarh in Rajasthan. He was known for his patronage of the arts and commissioned numerous paintings and frescoes that are now considered masterpieces of Kishangarh miniature painting.

In the 20th century, Rawal Pindi Krishan Lal Bhardwaj was a renowned Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who played a significant role in the struggle for independence from British rule.

Additionally, Rawal Pratap Singh Rathore was a decorated Indian Army officer who served in World War II and later became a politician, serving as a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament.

Lastly, Rawal Bhardwaj was a pioneering Indian filmmaker and actor who is considered a pioneer of the Punjabi film industry. He directed and starred in several influential films in the 1960s and 1970s.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Rawal surname: questions and answers

How common is the Rawal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 444 in 2016. That gives Rawal a modern rank of #10,905.

What does the Rawal surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from "rahval" meaning a caravan leader or guide.

What does the Rawal map show?

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