NameCensus.

UK surname

Sarfraz

A honorific surname derived from Persian meaning "high-ranking leader" or "chief of leaders".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackhill and Barmulloch East, Birmingham and Burnley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sarfraz is 510 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

484

2016, ranked #10,218

Peak year

2013

510 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 484 in 2016, ranked #10,218.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Sarfraz surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sarfraz surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sarfraz 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
1997 modern 149 #21,214
1998 modern 168 #20,181
1999 modern 193 #18,642
2000 modern 200 #18,209
2001 modern 198 #18,047
2002 modern 251 #15,770
2003 modern 277 #14,577
2004 modern 299 #13,904
2005 modern 340 #12,642
2006 modern 378 #11,714
2007 modern 382 #11,775
2008 modern 410 #11,245
2009 modern 442 #10,844
2010 modern 454 #10,833
2011 modern 475 #10,346
2012 modern 484 #10,106
2013 modern 510 #9,871
2014 modern 504 #10,023
2015 modern 487 #10,202
2016 modern 484 #10,218

Geography

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Where Sarfraz' 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 Blackhill and Barmulloch East, Birmingham, Burnley, Rochdale and Manchester. 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 Blackhill and Barmulloch East Glasgow City
2 Birmingham 140 Birmingham
3 Burnley 002 Burnley
4 Rochdale 015 Rochdale
5 Manchester 006 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sarfraz

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sarfraz

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

Sarfraz 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sarfraz

The surname Sarfraz is of Arabic origin, with roots tracing back to the Middle East region. It is derived from the Arabic words "sar" meaning "head" and "faraz" meaning "excellence" or "distinction." The name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, likely between the 7th and 10th centuries.

The earliest known records of the Sarfraz surname can be found in historical documents from the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled over a vast territory spanning parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The name was particularly prevalent in areas like modern-day Iraq, Iran, and Syria, where Arabic culture and language had a significant influence.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the Sarfraz surname was Abu al-Qasim Sarfraz, a renowned Persian poet who lived during the 10th century. His poetic works, which celebrated the virtues of bravery and excellence, are said to have contributed to the popularity of the name in the region.

In the 12th century, the Sarfraz surname appeared in several manuscripts and chronicles from the Seljuk Empire, which ruled over parts of Central Asia and the Middle East. One notable figure from this period was Malik Sarfraz, a military commander who played a crucial role in the defense of Baghdad against Mongol invaders in the 1250s.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over the Middle East and parts of Europe, the Sarfraz surname continued to be recorded in various administrative documents and records. One prominent individual was Ibrahim Sarfraz, a high-ranking Ottoman official who served as the governor of several provinces in the 16th century.

As the name spread across different regions, it also underwent variations in spelling and pronunciation. In some areas, it was written as Sarfaraz or Sarfaraz, while in others, it took on forms like Sarfrazi or Sarfraazi.

Other notable individuals with the Sarfraz surname include:

1. Mirza Sarfraz Khan (1710-1786), a renowned Mughal-era poet and calligrapher from present-day Pakistan. 2. Ghulam Sarfraz (1875-1949), an influential Sufi scholar and spiritual leader from India. 3. Mahmoud Sarfraz (1896-1971), an Egyptian politician and diplomat who served as the country's Foreign Minister in the 1950s. 4. Iftikhar Sarfraz (1923-2008), a renowned Pakistani cricketer who played for the national team in the 1950s. 5. Sarfraz Ahmed (born 1987), a famous Pakistani cricketer who captained the national team and led them to their first ever Champions Trophy victory in 2017.

While the Sarfraz surname has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread across various parts of the world, particularly in regions with significant Muslim populations or those with historical ties to the Arab world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Sarfraz surname: questions and answers

How common is the Sarfraz surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 484 in 2016. That gives Sarfraz a modern rank of #10,218.

What does the Sarfraz surname mean?

A honorific surname derived from Persian meaning "high-ranking leader" or "chief of leaders".

What does the Sarfraz map show?

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