NameCensus.

UK surname

Rizvi

A surname of Indian and Pakistani origin, derived from the Arabic word "rida," meaning contentment or satisfaction.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Hillingdon and Bristol.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rizvi is 1,022 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

981

2016, ranked #5,890

Peak year

2014

1,022 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 981 in 2016, ranked #5,890.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Rizvi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rizvi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rizvi 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 437 #10,299
1998 modern 466 #10,140
1999 modern 485 #9,900
2000 modern 509 #9,504
2001 modern 519 #9,204
2002 modern 627 #8,187
2003 modern 650 #7,830
2004 modern 682 #7,563
2005 modern 748 #6,975
2006 modern 797 #6,650
2007 modern 827 #6,511
2008 modern 866 #6,318
2009 modern 909 #6,209
2010 modern 1,006 #5,852
2011 modern 983 #5,902
2012 modern 986 #5,814
2013 modern 1,021 #5,731
2014 modern 1,022 #5,755
2015 modern 995 #5,831
2016 modern 981 #5,890

Geography

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Where Rizvis 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 Manchester, Hillingdon, Bristol and Hounslow. 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 Manchester 008 Manchester
2 Manchester 029 Manchester
3 Hillingdon 001 Hillingdon
4 Bristol 020 Bristol, City of
5 Hounslow 020 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rizvi

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

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

Rizvi 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

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

Meaning and origin of Rizvi

The surname Rizvi is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the regions that are now part of modern-day Pakistan and India. It traces its roots back to the 12th century and the Islamic conquests of the region.

Rizvi is derived from the Arabic word "Rizwi," which means "one who is pleasing" or "one who is accepted." This name is associated with the revered Islamic figure Hazrat Ali Razi Allah Anhu, who was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The earliest known reference to the name Rizvi can be found in the historical chronicles and genealogical records of the Muslim dynasties that ruled over the Indian subcontinent, such as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Rizvi is that of Syed Muhammad Rizvi, a renowned Islamic scholar and Sufi saint who lived in the 13th century. He is renowned for his contributions to the spread of Islamic teachings and the establishment of educational institutions in the region.

Another notable figure with the surname Rizvi is Mirza Hakim Rizvi, a prominent physician and scholar who lived during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. He authored several influential works on medicine and is credited with introducing new medical practices to the region.

In the 18th century, Syed Ahmed Rizvi Barelvi was a prominent Islamic scholar and reformer who played a significant role in reviving the teachings of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. He established the Ahl-e-Sunnat movement, which aimed to revive and preserve the traditional Islamic practices and beliefs.

During the 19th century, Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan Rizvi was a pioneering Muslim philosopher, educator, and social reformer. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of modern education in the Indian subcontinent and founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, which later became the Aligarh Muslim University.

In the 20th century, Abul Kalam Azad Rizvi was a renowned Indian scholar, poet, and political leader who served as the first Education Minister of independent India. He made significant contributions to the development of the education system and the promotion of the Urdu language and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Rizvi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Rizvi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 981 in 2016. That gives Rizvi a modern rank of #5,890.

What does the Rizvi surname mean?

A surname of Indian and Pakistani origin, derived from the Arabic word "rida," meaning contentment or satisfaction.

What does the Rizvi map show?

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