NameCensus.

UK surname

Shafique

An Arabic surname meaning noble, superior, or preeminent.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields, Leicester and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shafique is 650 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

650

2016, ranked #8,181

Peak year

2016

650 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 650 in 2016, ranked #8,181.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Shafique surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shafique surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shafique 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 159 #20,339
1998 modern 190 #18,687
1999 modern 201 #18,179
2000 modern 237 #16,331
2001 modern 240 #15,912
2002 modern 278 #14,726
2003 modern 301 #13,785
2004 modern 328 #13,058
2005 modern 354 #12,270
2006 modern 405 #11,131
2007 modern 433 #10,662
2008 modern 454 #10,334
2009 modern 511 #9,685
2010 modern 551 #9,354
2011 modern 544 #9,358
2012 modern 575 #8,877
2013 modern 611 #8,623
2014 modern 642 #8,349
2015 modern 633 #8,366
2016 modern 650 #8,181

Geography

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Where Shafiques 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 Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields, Leicester, Peterborough, Manchester and Wycombe. 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 Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton - the Coalfields South Ayrshire
2 Leicester 027 Leicester
3 Peterborough 010 Peterborough
4 Manchester 008 Manchester
5 Wycombe 006 Wycombe

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shafique

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shafique

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

Shafique 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

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

Meaning and origin of Shafique

The surname Shafique is believed to have originated in the Arab world, tracing its roots to the Arabic word "Shafiq," which means "kind" or "merciful." This name is thought to have emerged around the 7th century CE, during the early years of the Islamic civilization's expansion across the Middle East and North Africa.

One of the earliest known references to the name Shafique can be found in ancient Arabic manuscripts and genealogical records from the 9th century CE. These documents mention individuals bearing the name, often indicating their tribal affiliations or places of origin within the vast Arab territories of that era.

As the Islamic empires expanded, the name Shafique likely spread to various regions, including parts of what is now modern-day Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and the Levant. It is believed that some individuals with this name may have been among the Arab settlers or traders who ventured into the Indian subcontinent during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded example of the name Shafique in the Indian subcontinent dates back to the 13th century CE, when a notable scholar and poet named Shafique Aurangabadi (1210-1285) gained recognition for his literary works in the Persian language.

Another prominent figure bearing this surname was Shafique Aurangzeb (1628-1707), a nobleman and military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb during the 17th century.

In more recent history, Shafique Ahmed Khan (1892-1970) was a renowned politician and lawyer from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and later served as a member of the Constituent Assembly.

Muhammad Shafique (1924-2002) was a respected Pakistani cricketer who captained the national team in the 1950s and later became a respected cricket administrator and commentator.

Additionally, Shafique Bokhari (1944-2013) was a prominent Pakistani diplomat and author, who served as the country's Ambassador to several nations and wrote extensively on international affairs and foreign policy.

While the surname Shafique has its roots in the Arab world, it has since become prevalent in various regions, particularly in parts of South Asia and among Muslim communities worldwide. The name carries a rich historical legacy, reflecting the cultural and linguistic influences that have shaped the diverse societies where it has been embraced over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Shafique surname: questions and answers

How common is the Shafique surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 650 in 2016. That gives Shafique a modern rank of #8,181.

What does the Shafique surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning noble, superior, or preeminent.

What does the Shafique map show?

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