NameCensus.

UK surname

Sherwani

An occupational surname denoting a military uniform wearer or trader.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Sutton and Barking and Dagenham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sherwani is 116 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

2015

116 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Sherwani surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sherwani surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sherwani 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
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 61 #31,526
1998 modern 67 #31,282
1999 modern 62 #31,893
2000 modern 67 #31,473
2001 modern 65 #31,501
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 78 #30,654
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 92 #29,576
2007 modern 91 #30,061
2008 modern 98 #29,355
2009 modern 100 #29,597
2010 modern 111 #28,509
2011 modern 112 #28,117
2012 modern 113 #28,016
2013 modern 113 #28,502
2014 modern 113 #28,779
2015 modern 116 #28,151
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Sherwanis 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 Ealing, Sutton, Barking and Dagenham, Merton and Southwark. 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 Ealing 007 Ealing
2 Sutton 025 Sutton
3 Barking and Dagenham 016 Barking and Dagenham
4 Merton 020 Merton
5 Southwark 020 Southwark

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sherwani

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Sherwani

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

Sherwani 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sherwani

The surname "SHERWANI" is of Indian origin, specifically from the northern region of the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have derived from the Persian word "Sherwani," which refers to a knee-length coat or robe traditionally worn by men in the Indian subcontinent.

The earliest known records of the surname "SHERWANI" can be traced back to the 16th century during the Mughal Empire period. This surname was likely associated with individuals who either wore or produced the traditional Sherwani garment, which was popular among the elite and nobility of that era.

One of the earliest documented references to the name "SHERWANI" can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative manual commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This work contains records of various professionals and artisans, including tailors and garment makers, some of whom may have been associated with the Sherwani garment.

In the 18th century, the "SHERWANI" surname appeared in various historical records and manuscripts related to the Nawabs (rulers) of the princely states in the northern regions of India. Notable individuals with this surname during this period include Mirza Sherwani Bahadur (1720-1790), a prominent courtier and poet patronized by the Nawab of Awadh.

During the 19th century, the "SHERWANI" surname gained further prominence as several individuals bearing this name held influential positions in the courts of various princely states. One such figure was Sir Syed Ahmed Sherwani (1835-1902), a renowned educator and social reformer who founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (now Aligarh Muslim University) in 1875.

Another notable person with the "SHERWANI" surname was Begum Qudsia Sherwani (1855-1932), an influential philanthropist and social activist from Lucknow, who played a significant role in promoting women's education and welfare in the region.

In the 20th century, the "SHERWANI" surname continued to be associated with influential personalities, such as Sir Akbar Sherwani (1892-1976), a prominent lawyer and judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Pakistan.

It is worth noting that the "SHERWANI" surname is often found in various spellings, such as "Sherwani," "Sherwany," or "Sherwanie," reflecting the linguistic diversity and regional variations within the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Sherwani surname: questions and answers

How common is the Sherwani surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Sherwani a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Sherwani surname mean?

An occupational surname denoting a military uniform wearer or trader.

What does the Sherwani map show?

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