NameCensus.

UK surname

Shahid

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "witness" or "martyr," often bestowed as an honorary title.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tower Hamlets, Manchester and Oldham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shahid is 2,849 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

2,849

2016, ranked #2,361

Peak year

2016

2,849 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,849 in 2016, ranked #2,361.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Shahid surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shahid surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shahid 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 792 #6,587
1998 modern 895 #6,186
1999 modern 940 #5,999
2000 modern 1,040 #5,506
2001 modern 1,074 #5,271
2002 modern 1,271 #4,674
2003 modern 1,378 #4,272
2004 modern 1,512 #3,967
2005 modern 1,675 #3,588
2006 modern 1,805 #3,367
2007 modern 1,953 #3,187
2008 modern 2,093 #3,011
2009 modern 2,213 #2,935
2010 modern 2,428 #2,758
2011 modern 2,526 #2,653
2012 modern 2,589 #2,545
2013 modern 2,713 #2,483
2014 modern 2,800 #2,439
2015 modern 2,809 #2,410
2016 modern 2,849 #2,361

Geography

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Where Shahids 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 Tower Hamlets, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and Bradford. 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 Tower Hamlets 019 Tower Hamlets
2 Manchester 027 Manchester
3 Oldham 035 Oldham
4 Rochdale 015 Rochdale
5 Bradford 044 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shahid

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Shahid

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

Shahid 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

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

Meaning and origin of Shahid

The surname "SHAHID" has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating from the Middle East region during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Arabic word "shahid," which means "witness" or "martyr." It was initially used to refer to those who sacrificed their lives in defense of their faith or beliefs.

This name gained significance during the early years of Islam, as it was bestowed upon individuals who embraced martyrdom in the battles fought during the spread of the religion. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in historical accounts and manuscripts detailing the lives of prominent figures from that era.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name "SHAHID" was Shahid ibn Jabir, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a participant in several significant battles, including the Battle of Badr in 624 CE. His bravery and unwavering faith were celebrated, and his name became synonymous with the concept of martyrdom.

Another notable figure with this surname was Shahid al-Balkhi, a renowned Persian scholar and poet who lived in the 10th century CE. He was widely regarded for his contributions to literature and philosophy, and his works have been preserved and studied by scholars throughout the centuries.

During the medieval period, the name "SHAHID" also appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, such as the chronicles of the Abbasid Caliphate and the works of renowned historians like al-Tabari (838-923 CE) and ibn Khaldun (1332-1406 CE).

As Islam spread across different regions, the name "SHAHID" traveled with it, gaining prominence in areas like Persia (modern-day Iran), Central Asia, and parts of the Indian subcontinent. In some regions, the name underwent slight variations in spelling or pronunciation, reflecting local linguistic influences.

Over the centuries, several notable figures have carried the surname "SHAHID," including Shahid Ali Khan (1819-1879), a prominent Indian Muslim scholar and educator, and Shahid Amin (1946-2022), an acclaimed Indian historian and academic known for his works on colonial South Asia.

It is important to note that while the name "SHAHID" has its origins in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has transcended religious boundaries and has been adopted by various communities across different regions, each with their own unique histories and interpretations of the name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Shahid surname: questions and answers

How common is the Shahid surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,849 in 2016. That gives Shahid a modern rank of #2,361.

What does the Shahid surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "witness" or "martyr," often bestowed as an honorary title.

What does the Shahid map show?

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