NameCensus.

UK surname

Saif

A surname derived from the Arabic word for "sword" or "blade".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, The Vale of Glamorgan and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Saif is 280 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

280

2016, ranked #15,491

Peak year

2015

280 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016, ranked #15,491.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Saif surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Saif surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Saif 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 96 #27,490
1998 modern 110 #26,129
1999 modern 109 #26,439
2000 modern 112 #25,978
2001 modern 120 #24,615
2002 modern 135 #23,398
2003 modern 139 #22,734
2004 modern 142 #22,573
2005 modern 161 #20,799
2006 modern 178 #19,666
2007 modern 199 #18,542
2008 modern 211 #17,997
2009 modern 241 #16,848
2010 modern 263 #16,205
2011 modern 267 #15,892
2012 modern 272 #15,586
2013 modern 273 #15,802
2014 modern 278 #15,692
2015 modern 280 #15,485
2016 modern 280 #15,491

Geography

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Where Saifs 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 Liverpool, The Vale of Glamorgan, Birmingham and Leith (Hermitage and Prospect Bank). 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 Liverpool 039 Liverpool
2 The Vale of Glamorgan 007 Vale of Glamorgan
3 Birmingham 083 Birmingham
4 Birmingham 084 Birmingham
5 Leith (Hermitage and Prospect Bank) City of Edinburgh

Forenames

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First names often paired with Saif

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

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

Saif 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

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

Meaning and origin of Saif

The surname SAIF is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in Arabic-speaking regions. It is derived from the Arabic word "sayf," which means "sword." The name likely has its roots in the ancient Arabic tradition of naming individuals based on their skills, professions, or physical attributes.

In the early days of Islam, the sword played a significant role in the expansion of the religion and the establishment of the Islamic empires. Those who excelled in swordsmanship or were known for their prowess with the blade may have been given the name SAIF as a mark of honor and recognition.

The earliest recorded instances of the name SAIF can be traced back to medieval Arabic manuscripts and chronicles. One notable example is the 10th-century historian and writer Saif al-Dawlah al-Hamdani, who was born in 915 CE in Aleppo, Syria, and died in 967 CE. He was a prominent figure in the Hamdanid dynasty and is known for his literary works and contributions to Arabic literature.

Another historical figure with the surname SAIF is Saif al-Din al-Amidi, a prominent Islamic scholar and philosopher who lived in the 12th century. He was born in Amid (modern-day Diyarbakir, Turkey) in 1156 CE and died in 1233 CE. Al-Amidi made significant contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence and theology.

In the 13th century, Saif al-Din Qalawun al-Alfi, a Mamluk sultan, ruled over Egypt and parts of Syria from 1279 to 1290 CE. He was known for his military campaigns and his contributions to the architectural heritage of Cairo, including the construction of the famous Mosque of al-Nasir Muhammad.

During the 15th century, Saif al-Din al-Amidi, a scholar and poet from Yemen, gained prominence for his literary works. He was born in 1421 CE in Ibb, Yemen, and died in 1504 CE. Al-Amidi's poetry and scholarly writings have left a lasting impact on Yemeni literature and culture.

In more recent history, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the second son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was a prominent figure in Libya's political and military circles. Born in 1972, he played a significant role in his father's regime and was once considered a potential successor to Gaddafi's leadership.

The surname SAIF has been present in various regions of the Middle East and North Africa throughout history, reflecting the diverse cultural and linguistic influences in these areas. While the name has maintained its Arabic roots, it has also been adopted and adapted by different communities and ethnic groups over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Saif surname: questions and answers

How common is the Saif surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016. That gives Saif a modern rank of #15,491.

What does the Saif surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word for "sword" or "blade".

What does the Saif map show?

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