NameCensus.

UK surname

Saleemi

A surname possibly derived from the Arabic word "salam", meaning peace or Islam.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lewisham, Newport and Croydon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Saleemi is 192 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

192

2016, ranked #20,118

Peak year

2016

192 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016, ranked #20,118.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Saleemi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Saleemi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Saleemi 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 101 #26,774
1998 modern 102 #27,314
1999 modern 103 #27,305
2000 modern 99 #27,845
2001 modern 99 #27,534
2002 modern 113 #26,024
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 125 #24,443
2005 modern 133 #23,502
2006 modern 142 #22,724
2007 modern 145 #22,693
2008 modern 147 #22,720
2009 modern 165 #21,552
2010 modern 168 #21,733
2011 modern 170 #21,407
2012 modern 170 #21,379
2013 modern 184 #20,643
2014 modern 188 #20,503
2015 modern 189 #20,345
2016 modern 192 #20,118

Geography

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Where Saleemis 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 Lewisham, Newport, Croydon, Southampton 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 Lewisham 014 Lewisham
2 Newport 014 Newport
3 Croydon 038 Croydon
4 Southampton 022 Southampton
5 Redbridge 035 Redbridge

Forenames

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First names often paired with Saleemi

These lists show first names that appear often with the Saleemi surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Saleemi

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Saleemi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Saleemi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Saleemi is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Saleemi 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

Saleemi 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 Saleemi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
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 Saleemi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Saleemi

The surname Saleemi is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the region that is now modern-day Iran and Iraq. The name is derived from the Arabic word 'saleem,' which means 'safe' or 'peaceful.' It is likely that this surname was initially given to individuals who lived in a safe or peaceful area, or who exhibited these qualities themselves.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Saleemi can be found in a 12th-century Persian manuscript, where it was spelled 'Salimi.' This variation in spelling was common in those times, as standardized spellings were not yet established. The manuscript mentions a man named Ahmad Salimi, who was a prominent scholar and poet during the Seljuk Empire.

In the 14th century, the name Saleemi appeared in Ottoman records, suggesting that the surname had spread to the region now known as Turkey. One notable figure from this time was Mehmet Saleemi, a military commander who served under Sultan Murad I and played a significant role in the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans.

During the 16th century, the name Saleemi was found in various parts of the Middle East, including present-day Syria and Lebanon. A famous bearer of this surname was Ibrahim Saleemi, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in Damascus and wrote extensively on Islamic law.

In the 18th century, the name Saleemi made its way to the Indian subcontinent, likely through traders and travelers from the Middle East. One prominent individual with this surname was Mirza Saleemi (1728-1803), a Mughal nobleman and poet who served as a courtier under the reign of Emperor Shah Alam II.

As the name spread across different regions, it underwent various spellings and adaptations, such as Salimi, Salemi, and Saleemy. However, the core meaning and origin of the name remained rooted in the Arabic word 'saleem.'

Throughout history, the surname Saleemi has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including scholars, writers, military leaders, and nobility. While the name may have evolved and adapted over time, its rich heritage and connection to the Middle Eastern region remain an integral part of its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Saleemi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Saleemi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 192 in 2016. That gives Saleemi a modern rank of #20,118.

What does the Saleemi surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from the Arabic word "salam", meaning peace or Islam.

What does the Saleemi map show?

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