NameCensus.

UK surname

Shrestha

A Nepalese surname indicating a high caste, originally derived from the Sanskrit word "shreshtha," meaning "the best."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Greenwich, Reading and Rushmoor.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Shrestha is 1,005 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,005

2016, ranked #5,783

Peak year

2016

1,005 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,005 in 2016, ranked #5,783.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Shrestha surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Shrestha surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Shrestha 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 1 #34,674
1997 modern 114 #24,967
1998 modern 125 #24,198
1999 modern 141 #22,702
2000 modern 146 #22,170
2001 modern 147 #21,756
2002 modern 187 #19,083
2003 modern 217 #17,176
2004 modern 241 #16,086
2005 modern 281 #14,411
2006 modern 318 #13,348
2007 modern 365 #12,205
2008 modern 399 #11,494
2009 modern 502 #9,818
2010 modern 749 #7,381
2011 modern 673 #7,937
2012 modern 817 #6,724
2013 modern 919 #6,250
2014 modern 973 #5,997
2015 modern 977 #5,919
2016 modern 1,005 #5,783

Geography

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Where Shresthas 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 Greenwich, Reading and Rushmoor. 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 Greenwich 006 Greenwich
2 Reading 010 Reading
3 Rushmoor 009 Rushmoor
4 Greenwich 007 Greenwich
5 Reading 007 Reading

Forenames

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First names often paired with Shrestha

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

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

Shrestha 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

Shrestha falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Shrestha

The surname Shrestha originated in Nepal and has its roots in the Sanskrit language. It is derived from the word "Shreshtha," which means "excellent" or "superior." The name was initially used to denote individuals of high social status or those belonging to the elite class in ancient Nepali society.

The earliest known references to the Shrestha surname can be traced back to the Licchavis, a powerful dynasty that ruled the Kathmandu Valley from the 3rd to the 9th century AD. During this period, the Shrestha name was associated with members of the ruling class and influential families.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the Shrestha name can be found in the Gopalraj Vamshavali, a historical manuscript dating back to the 14th century. This text mentions several prominent individuals bearing the Shrestha surname, including Araniko (1245-1306), a renowned Nepali artist and architect who worked in China during the Yuan Dynasty.

The Shrestha surname was also documented in various manuscripts and chronicles from the Malla period (12th to 18th century), when the Kathmandu Valley was divided into three independent kingdoms. Prominent figures from this era included Jaya Sthiti Malla (1382-1395), the ruler of Bhaktapur, and Ratna Malla (1484-1520), the king of Kantipur (present-day Kathmandu).

During the Shah Dynasty (1768-2008), the Shrestha surname continued to be associated with influential families and individuals. One notable figure was Kaji Kalu Pandey Shrestha (1838-1900), a prominent military leader and statesman who played a crucial role in the unification of Nepal.

Other famous individuals with the Shrestha surname include Balram Shrestha (1915-2004), a renowned Nepali writer and poet, and Pushpa Lal Shrestha (1923-2012), a respected historian and scholar who made significant contributions to the preservation of Nepali culture and heritage.

Throughout its history, the Shrestha surname has maintained its association with prestige and excellence, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Nepal.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Shrestha surname: questions and answers

How common is the Shrestha surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,005 in 2016. That gives Shrestha a modern rank of #5,783.

What does the Shrestha surname mean?

A Nepalese surname indicating a high caste, originally derived from the Sanskrit word "shreshtha," meaning "the best."

What does the Shrestha map show?

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