NameCensus.

UK surname

Shareef

A surname derived from the Arabic word "sharif," meaning noble or honorable.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shareef is 187 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

187

2016, ranked #20,488

Peak year

2016

187 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016, ranked #20,488.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Shareef surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shareef surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shareef 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 56 #32,004
1998 modern 66 #31,387
1999 modern 59 #32,174
2000 modern 64 #31,735
2001 modern 66 #31,394
2002 modern 76 #30,830
2003 modern 80 #30,425
2004 modern 85 #30,132
2005 modern 103 #27,531
2006 modern 109 #26,872
2007 modern 120 #25,606
2008 modern 129 #24,790
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 156 #22,886
2011 modern 154 #22,886
2012 modern 171 #21,303
2013 modern 181 #20,879
2014 modern 186 #20,664
2015 modern 184 #20,719
2016 modern 187 #20,488

Geography

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Where Shareefs 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 Oldham, Birmingham, Solihull, Harrow and Westminster. 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 Oldham 022 Oldham
2 Birmingham 012 Birmingham
3 Solihull 026 Solihull
4 Harrow 021 Harrow
5 Westminster 009 Westminster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shareef

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

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Shareef 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

Shareef 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

Shareef 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 Shareef is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
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 Shareef, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Shareef

The surname "SHAREEF" originates from the Arabic language and is derived from the word "sharif," which means "noble" or "distinguished." This surname has its roots in the Middle East, particularly in the Arab world, and can be traced back to the 7th century CE during the early Islamic period.

The name "SHAREEF" is closely associated with the Hashemite clan, which was the clan of the Prophet Muhammad. Members of this clan were considered nobles and were entitled to use the title "Sharif." Over time, the title became a surname for their descendants and those associated with them.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "SHAREEF" can be found in the writings of medieval Arab scholars and historians. For example, the 9th-century historian Ibn Ishaq mentioned several individuals with the surname "SHAREEF" in his work, "The Life of Muhammad."

In the Middle Ages, the name "SHAREEF" gained prominence in various parts of the Arab world, particularly in regions like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the Levant. It was often associated with influential families and individuals who held positions of power and authority.

Among the notable historical figures with the surname "SHAREEF" are:

1. Idris I (788-791 CE), the founder of the Idrisid dynasty in Morocco and considered a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. 2. Al-Sharif al-Radi (969-1016 CE), a renowned Arab poet and scholar from Baghdad who was known for his contributions to Arabic literature. 3. Sharif al-Din Ibn al-Muqri (1237-1304 CE), a prominent Arab mathematician and astronomer from Damascus. 4. Sharif al-Husayni (1856-1949), a prominent Palestinian Arab nationalist and leader during the British Mandate period in Palestine. 5. Sharif Hussein bin Ali (1854-1931), the Sharif of Mecca and a key figure in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

It is worth noting that the surname "SHAREEF" has also been associated with various place names throughout history. For instance, the city of Sharifa in modern-day Yemen derived its name from the presence of noble families or "SHAREEFS" in the area.

The surname "SHAREEF" has a rich historical legacy and is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of the Arab world. Its meaning and association with nobility and lineage have endured over centuries, making it a significant and respected surname within the region and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Shareef surname: questions and answers

How common is the Shareef surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016. That gives Shareef a modern rank of #20,488.

What does the Shareef surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word "sharif," meaning noble or honorable.

What does the Shareef map show?

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