NameCensus.

UK surname

Selvaraj

A surname originating from South India meaning king of the forests or ruler of the forests.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Selvaraj is 256 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

253

2016, ranked #16,671

Peak year

2015

256 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 253 in 2016, ranked #16,671.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Selvaraj surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Selvaraj surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Selvaraj 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 8 #37,372
1998 modern 18 #36,135
1999 modern 16 #36,371
2000 modern 18 #36,104
2001 modern 19 #35,866
2002 modern 20 #35,894
2003 modern 33 #34,773
2004 modern 52 #33,418
2005 modern 71 #31,816
2006 modern 102 #27,926
2007 modern 108 #27,391
2008 modern 135 #24,123
2009 modern 169 #21,190
2010 modern 203 #19,264
2011 modern 192 #19,797
2012 modern 230 #17,479
2013 modern 236 #17,472
2014 modern 246 #17,079
2015 modern 256 #16,524
2016 modern 253 #16,671

Geography

Back to top

Where Selvarajs 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 Newham, Barking and Dagenham and Croydon. 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 Newham 010 Newham
2 Newham 011 Newham
3 Barking and Dagenham 014 Barking and Dagenham
4 Croydon 019 Croydon
5 Croydon 027 Croydon

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Selvaraj

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Recent female names

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Selvaraj

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Selvaraj surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Selvaraj household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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, Selvaraj 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

Selvaraj 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

Selvaraj falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Selvaraj 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
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Selvaraj, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Selvaraj

The surname Selvaraj has its origins in the Tamil-speaking regions of southern India, particularly in the state of Tamil Nadu. The name can be traced back to the 14th century or earlier, and it is derived from the Tamil words "selvam," meaning wealth or prosperity, and "raj," which denotes a ruler or king.

Historically, the name Selvaraj was likely associated with individuals of high social standing or those who held positions of authority within their communities. In ancient Tamil literature and inscriptions, references to the name Selvaraj or similar variations can be found, indicating its long-standing presence in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Selvaraj can be found in the Thanjavur Inscriptions, a collection of stone carvings and copper plate inscriptions dating back to the 9th to 13th centuries AD. These inscriptions document the activities and achievements of various rulers and prominent figures from the region.

Notably, in the 17th century, a Tamil poet and scholar named Selvaraj Mudaliar (1593-1673) gained recognition for his contributions to Tamil literature. His works, including the epic poem "Selvarajar Varalaru," shed light on the cultural and historical significance of the name.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Selvaraj was Masilamani Selvaraj (1790-1865), a renowned Indian freedom fighter and social reformer from Tamil Nadu. He played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and advocated for the rights and education of marginalized communities.

In the realm of literature, Sundara Ramaswamy Selvaraj (1877-1948) was a celebrated Tamil writer and poet. His works, such as "Kuyil Pattu" and "Kanni Malayam," explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality, earning him widespread acclaim.

More recently, Murugesan Selvaraj (1927-2010), a prominent Indian politician and former member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, made significant contributions to the state's governance and development during his tenure.

It is worth noting that the surname Selvaraj has also been adopted by individuals from other regions of India, particularly in areas with cultural and linguistic ties to Tamil Nadu, further adding to its diversity and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Selvaraj surname: questions and answers

How common is the Selvaraj surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 253 in 2016. That gives Selvaraj a modern rank of #16,671.

What does the Selvaraj surname mean?

A surname originating from South India meaning king of the forests or ruler of the forests.

What does the Selvaraj map show?

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