NameCensus.

UK surname

Shaik

A surname indicating an Arab leader or descendant of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stoke-on-Trent, Hounslow and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shaik is 347 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

347

2016, ranked #13,259

Peak year

2016

347 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 347 in 2016, ranked #13,259.
  • 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.

Shaik surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shaik surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shaik 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 20 #35,809
1998 modern 28 #35,053
1999 modern 26 #35,320
2000 modern 24 #35,498
2001 modern 26 #35,152
2002 modern 55 #32,831
2003 modern 74 #31,091
2004 modern 91 #29,345
2005 modern 116 #25,564
2006 modern 146 #22,320
2007 modern 178 #19,887
2008 modern 220 #17,544
2009 modern 261 #15,926
2010 modern 314 #14,258
2011 modern 317 #14,059
2012 modern 323 #13,780
2013 modern 320 #14,104
2014 modern 332 #13,807
2015 modern 337 #13,560
2016 modern 347 #13,259

Geography

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Where Shaiks 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 Stoke-on-Trent, Hounslow, Newham and Brent. 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 Stoke-on-Trent 016 Stoke-on-Trent
2 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
3 Newham 018 Newham
4 Brent 019 Brent
5 Hounslow 015 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shaik

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

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

Shaik 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

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

Meaning and origin of Shaik

The surname "SHAIK" is believed to have its origins in the Arab world, specifically in regions like the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. It is derived from the Arabic word "shaikh," which translates to "elder" or "leader." This name was often given to respected individuals or heads of tribes or clans in Islamic societies.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname "SHAIK" can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the time of the Islamic conquests and the spread of Arab culture across the Middle East and parts of Europe. Some of the earliest known bearers of this name were Arab scholars, poets, and religious figures who held positions of authority within their communities.

One notable historical reference to the name "SHAIK" can be found in the writings of the famous Arab philosopher and mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi (circa 780-850 AD), who is credited with laying the foundations of modern algebra. His full name was Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, and the surname "al-Khwarizmi" is believed to be derived from the word "Khwarizm," which was the name of a region in present-day Uzbekistan.

In the 11th century, during the time of the Seljuk Empire, the name "SHAIK" became more prominent, particularly among the ruling elite and military leaders. One famous bearer of this name was Shaikh Nizam al-Mulk (1018-1092 AD), who served as the vizier (prime minister) of the Seljuk Empire under the sultans Alp Arslan and Malik Shah.

Another notable figure with the surname "SHAIK" was the 13th-century Persian poet and mystic, Shaikh Saadi (1210-1291 AD), who is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures in Persian literature. His works, such as the "Gulistan" and "Bustan," are celebrated for their wisdom, wit, and profound insights into human nature.

In the Indian subcontinent, the surname "SHAIK" gained prominence during the medieval period, particularly among Muslim communities. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name in India can be found in the 14th-century chronicles of the Delhi Sultanate, where a ruler named Shaikh Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1309-1388 AD) is mentioned.

Over the centuries, the surname "SHAIK" has been associated with many influential figures across various fields, including religion, literature, politics, and academia. Some notable examples include Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564-1624 AD), a prominent Sufi scholar and reformer; Shaikh Mujibur Rahman (1920-1975 AD), the founding father of Bangladesh; and Shaikh Ayaz (1923-1997 AD), a celebrated Urdu poet and writer.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Shaik surname: questions and answers

How common is the Shaik surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 347 in 2016. That gives Shaik a modern rank of #13,259.

What does the Shaik surname mean?

A surname indicating an Arab leader or descendant of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

What does the Shaik map show?

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