NameCensus.

UK surname

Rouf

A surname possibly deriving from the Arabic word "rauf" meaning compassionate or kind.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Central Bedfordshire, Newcastle upon Tyne and Oldham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rouf is 500 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

447

2016, ranked #10,857

Peak year

2010

500 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 447 in 2016, ranked #10,857.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Rouf surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rouf surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Rouf 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
1901 historical 6 #33,591
1997 modern 275 #14,335
1998 modern 299 #13,908
1999 modern 318 #13,444
2000 modern 328 #13,129
2001 modern 326 #13,006
2002 modern 356 #12,449
2003 modern 364 #12,068
2004 modern 390 #11,495
2005 modern 425 #10,667
2006 modern 434 #10,543
2007 modern 454 #10,264
2008 modern 483 #9,890
2009 modern 491 #9,999
2010 modern 500 #10,059
2011 modern 489 #10,125
2012 modern 445 #10,753
2013 modern 455 #10,743
2014 modern 468 #10,586
2015 modern 452 #10,785
2016 modern 447 #10,857

Geography

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Where Roufs 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 Central Bedfordshire, Newcastle upon Tyne, Oldham, Wakefield and Tower Hamlets. 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 Central Bedfordshire 003 Central Bedfordshire
2 Newcastle upon Tyne 029 Newcastle upon Tyne
3 Oldham 016 Oldham
4 Wakefield 019 Wakefield
5 Tower Hamlets 009 Tower Hamlets

Forenames

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First names often paired with Rouf

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Challenged Inner London Communities

Within London, Rouf is most associated with areas classed as Challenged Inner London Communities, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Resident in some of Inner London’s most over-crowded communities, many families have children and marriage/civil partnership rates are above the Supergroup average. Other adults such as students live in communal establishments. Few residents have Level 4 educational qualifications, levels of unemployment are above the Supergroup average, and employment is concentrated in service occupations such as distribution, hotels and restaurants. Relative to the Supergroup average, fewer residents identify as being of mixed/multiple ethnicities, Black or Other Asian.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Rouf 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

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

Meaning and origin of Rouf

The surname "ROUF" is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the region of modern-day Iran and surrounding areas. It is thought to be derived from the Persian word "rauf," meaning "kind" or "gentle." This name likely emerged during the medieval period, when Persian culture and language had a significant influence on the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "ROUF" can be found in historical records from the 14th century, during the reign of the Timurid Empire in Central Asia. These records mention individuals with the name "ROUF" serving as administrators and scholars within the empire's bureaucracy.

In the 16th century, the name appears in Ottoman Turkish records, suggesting that families bearing this surname may have migrated or been part of the cultural exchange between the Ottoman Empire and Persia. The name is also found in various manuscripts and documents from this period, indicating its widespread use across the region.

A notable historical figure with the surname "ROUF" was Ahmad Rauf, a renowned Persian scholar and poet who lived in the late 15th century. He is known for his contributions to Persian literature and his works on Islamic philosophy and theology.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Mahmoud Rauf, a 17th-century Ottoman statesman and military leader. He played a significant role in the Ottoman campaigns against the Safavid Empire, and his exploits are recorded in various historical accounts from that era.

In the 19th century, the name "ROUF" appears in records from the Caucasus region, where it was adopted by families of various ethnic backgrounds, including Armenians, Azerbaijanis, and Georgians. One notable figure from this period was Mirza Fatali Akhundov, an Azerbaijani playwright and philosopher born in 1812, who used the pen name "Rauf."

Another individual of historical significance was Muhammad Rauf, a Pakistani politician and diplomat who served as the country's Foreign Minister in the 1960s. He played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan's foreign policy during a turbulent period in the region's history.

The surname "ROUF" has also been recorded in other parts of the world, likely due to migration and cultural exchange over the centuries. However, its roots can be traced back to the Middle East and the Persian language, where it originated as a name signifying kindness and gentleness.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Rouf surname: questions and answers

How common is the Rouf surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 447 in 2016. That gives Rouf a modern rank of #10,857.

What does the Rouf surname mean?

A surname possibly deriving from the Arabic word "rauf" meaning compassionate or kind.

What does the Rouf map show?

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