NameCensus.

UK surname

Rehal

A surname indicating an honorable or chivalrous person.

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Rehal surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 548, ranked #9,309, up from #32,926 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rehal is 561 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9033.3%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

548

2016, ranked #9,309

Peak year

2014

561 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rehal had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 548 in 2016, ranked #9,309.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Rehal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rehal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rehal 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
1851 historical 11 #31,309
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1997 modern 384 #11,336
1998 modern 424 #10,880
1999 modern 443 #10,577
2000 modern 453 #10,371
2001 modern 454 #10,162
2002 modern 487 #9,820
2003 modern 505 #9,419
2004 modern 501 #9,511
2005 modern 499 #9,457
2006 modern 513 #9,305
2007 modern 538 #9,044
2008 modern 549 #8,978
2009 modern 557 #9,081
2010 modern 556 #9,291
2011 modern 550 #9,268
2012 modern 529 #9,461
2013 modern 548 #9,359
2014 modern 561 #9,242
2015 modern 556 #9,221
2016 modern 548 #9,309

Geography

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Where Rehals 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 Leeds, Ealing, Birmingham and Bradford. 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 Leeds 037 Leeds
2 Ealing 026 Ealing
3 Birmingham 035 Birmingham
4 Bradford 042 Bradford
5 Ealing 017 Ealing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rehal

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

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Rehal is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Rehal 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

Rehal falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Rehal

The surname "REHAL" originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the Punjab region. It is believed to have its roots in the Sanskrit language, where the word "rehal" means "to wander" or "to roam." This suggests that the name may have been given to a group of people who were nomadic or traveled frequently.

The earliest known records of the surname "REHAL" can be traced back to the 16th century in the region of Punjab. During this time, the area was ruled by various Muslim empires, and it is possible that the name was adopted or influenced by the Persian language, which was widely used in administrative and literary contexts.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the name "REHAL" appears in various historical documents and records related to the Sikh Empire and the British East India Company's administration in Punjab. One notable individual bearing this surname was Sardar Hari Singh Rehal (1785-1844), a prominent Sikh leader and a close confidant of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire.

Another significant figure was Bawa Rehal Singh (1880-1949), a renowned Sikh scholar and spiritual leader who played a crucial role in reviving and promoting the Sikh faith during the early 20th century. He established numerous educational institutions and published several books on Sikhism.

In the field of literature, Gurbachan Singh Rehal (1912-1986) was a celebrated Punjabi writer and poet. He was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1970 for his literary contributions.

The surname "REHAL" has also been associated with various place names in Punjab, such as Rehal Khurd and Rehal Kalan, which were villages or settlements that may have been named after individuals or families bearing this surname.

It is worth noting that the surname "REHAL" has undergone various spelling variations over time, including "Rehaal," "Rehaul," and "Rehaul." However, the core meaning and origin of the name remain rooted in the Punjab region and its linguistic heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Rehal families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rehal 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. Lanarkshire leads with 6 Rehals recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.75x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 6 31.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 6 Rehals recorded in 1881 and an index of 128.48x.

Place Total Index
Govan 6 128.48x

FAQ

Rehal surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rehal surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Rehal surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rehal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 548 in 2016. That gives Rehal a modern rank of #9,309.

What does the Rehal surname mean?

A surname indicating an honorable or chivalrous person.

What does the Rehal map show?

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