NameCensus.

UK surname

Saleh

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "righteous," "virtuous," or "pious."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield, Liverpool and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Saleh is 2,552 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

2,552

2016, ranked #2,594

Peak year

2016

2,552 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,552 in 2016, ranked #2,594.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 8 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Saleh surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Saleh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Saleh 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
1861 historical 1 #34,435
1891 historical 8 #33,550
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 865 #6,154
1998 modern 934 #5,982
1999 modern 967 #5,865
2000 modern 1,028 #5,567
2001 modern 1,029 #5,464
2002 modern 1,181 #4,967
2003 modern 1,303 #4,478
2004 modern 1,412 #4,190
2005 modern 1,512 #3,936
2006 modern 1,635 #3,675
2007 modern 1,747 #3,498
2008 modern 1,868 #3,314
2009 modern 2,019 #3,189
2010 modern 2,238 #2,972
2011 modern 2,199 #2,973
2012 modern 2,357 #2,754
2013 modern 2,421 #2,738
2014 modern 2,483 #2,700
2015 modern 2,485 #2,666
2016 modern 2,552 #2,594

Geography

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Where Salehs 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 Sheffield, Liverpool, Cardiff and Blackburn with Darwen. 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 Sheffield 022 Sheffield
2 Liverpool 039 Liverpool
3 Sheffield 013 Sheffield
4 Cardiff 049 Cardiff
5 Blackburn with Darwen 006 Blackburn with Darwen

Forenames

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First names often paired with Saleh

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Saleh is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

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

Saleh 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

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

Meaning and origin of Saleh

The surname Saleh has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the word "salih" which means "pious" or "righteous". This name is commonly found in various regions of the Arab world, particularly in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.

The earliest recorded instances of the Saleh surname can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the Islamic Golden Age. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by individuals who were known for their devotion to the Islamic faith and their exemplary moral conduct.

In the 11th century, the name Saleh gained prominence through the renowned Islamic scholar and jurist, Taqī ad-Dīn Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah, also known as Ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328 CE). He was a highly influential figure in the field of Islamic jurisprudence and is considered a major authority in the Hanbali school of Islamic thought.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Saleh was Ali ibn Abi Talib (599-661 CE), the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. He was the fourth Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate and is revered by Sunni and Shia Muslims alike for his wisdom and leadership.

During the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt and Syria (1250-1517 CE), the name Saleh was commonly found among the ruling elite and military class. One prominent example is Baybars al-Saleh (1223-1277 CE), who was a Mamluk Sultan of Egypt and became known for his military victories against the Crusaders.

In the modern era, the Saleh surname has been carried by several influential figures, including Naguib Mahfouz (1911-2006 CE), the renowned Egyptian novelist and Nobel Laureate in Literature. Another notable figure is Tawakkol Karman (born 1979 CE), a Yemeni human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who played a prominent role in the Yemeni Revolution of 2011.

The Saleh surname has a rich history and is deeply rooted in the Islamic faith and Arab culture. While its origins can be traced back to the 7th century, it continues to be a prominent surname across various regions of the Middle East and among Arab communities worldwide.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Saleh surname: questions and answers

How common is the Saleh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,552 in 2016. That gives Saleh a modern rank of #2,594.

What does the Saleh surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "righteous," "virtuous," or "pious."

What does the Saleh map show?

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