NameCensus.

UK surname

Shankar

A surname of Indian origin, derived from Sanskrit, meaning "one who brings about prosperity or grants wishes."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrow, Westminster and Stroud.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shankar is 289 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

285

2016, ranked #15,286

Peak year

2015

289 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 285 in 2016, ranked #15,286.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Shankar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shankar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shankar 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
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 94 #27,781
1998 modern 111 #25,990
1999 modern 132 #23,602
2000 modern 128 #24,015
2001 modern 132 #23,230
2002 modern 147 #22,197
2003 modern 163 #20,554
2004 modern 170 #20,146
2005 modern 176 #19,667
2006 modern 190 #18,898
2007 modern 210 #17,904
2008 modern 214 #17,854
2009 modern 238 #17,002
2010 modern 266 #16,067
2011 modern 266 #15,937
2012 modern 262 #16,001
2013 modern 286 #15,259
2014 modern 283 #15,495
2015 modern 289 #15,153
2016 modern 285 #15,286

Geography

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Where Shankars 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 Harrow, Westminster, Stroud 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 Harrow 032 Harrow
2 Westminster 007 Westminster
3 Stroud 002 Stroud
4 Brent 017 Brent
5 Brent 019 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shankar

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Shankar, 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 Shankar surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Shankar 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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Shankar is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

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

Shankar 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

Shankar falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Shankar 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 Shankar, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Shankar

The surname "SHANKAR" originated in India and can be traced back to the 6th century CE. It is derived from the Sanskrit words "shanka" meaning "conch shell" and "ra" meaning "giver" or "bestower," suggesting a connection to the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, who is often depicted holding a conch shell.

The name first appeared in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name was found in a 7th-century inscription from the Chalukya dynasty, which ruled in parts of present-day Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

In the 12th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of the renowned philosopher and Hindu reformer, Shankaracharya (788-820 CE), who revived the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy and established several monastic orders across India.

During the Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646 CE), the name was associated with scholars, poets, and artists who made significant contributions to Hindu literature and culture. One notable figure was the 16th-century poet and composer, Shankaradeva (1449-1568 CE), who played a crucial role in the cultural renaissance of Assam.

In the 18th century, the Maratha Empire saw the rise of Shankaraji Narayan Bhatt (1716-1778 CE), a prominent statesman and administrator who served as the Peshwa (prime minister) of the Maratha confederacy.

Other notable individuals with the surname "SHANKAR" include the 20th-century Indian musician and composer, Ravi Shankar (1920-2012 CE), who popularized Indian classical music worldwide, and the contemporary Indian spiritual leader and motivational speaker, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (born 1956 CE), founder of the Art of Living Foundation.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Shankar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Shankar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 285 in 2016. That gives Shankar a modern rank of #15,286.

What does the Shankar surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, derived from Sanskrit, meaning "one who brings about prosperity or grants wishes."

What does the Shankar map show?

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