NameCensus.

UK surname

Siraj

A surname derived from the Arabic word for lamp or light, potentially indicating an ancestral profession related to illumination.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kelvingrove and University, Newham and Ruchill.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Siraj is 280 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

270

2016, ranked #15,913

Peak year

2014

280 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 270 in 2016, ranked #15,913.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Siraj surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Siraj surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Siraj 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 109 #25,650
1998 modern 121 #24,677
1999 modern 138 #22,983
2000 modern 145 #22,259
2001 modern 150 #21,482
2002 modern 157 #21,261
2003 modern 163 #20,554
2004 modern 167 #20,367
2005 modern 188 #18,866
2006 modern 206 #17,945
2007 modern 213 #17,744
2008 modern 234 #16,827
2009 modern 253 #16,283
2010 modern 256 #16,523
2011 modern 247 #16,783
2012 modern 269 #15,706
2013 modern 270 #15,911
2014 modern 280 #15,621
2015 modern 274 #15,749
2016 modern 270 #15,913

Geography

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Where Sirajs 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 Kelvingrove and University, Newham, Ruchill and Harlow. 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 Kelvingrove and University Glasgow City
2 Newham 014 Newham
3 Ruchill Glasgow City
4 Harlow 003 Harlow
5 Newham 006 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Siraj

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

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

Siraj 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

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

Meaning and origin of Siraj

The surname SIRAJ has its origins in the Persian language, where it means "lamp" or "light." It is believed to have originated in the region that is now modern-day Iran, sometime during the medieval period.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 10th century, when it appeared in various Persian manuscripts and records. One notable example is the "Shahnameh," an epic poem written by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi, which mentions several individuals bearing the surname SIRAJ.

As the Islamic empires expanded across the Middle East and South Asia, the name SIRAJ spread to other regions, including present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India. In these areas, the name was often associated with scholars, poets, and religious figures, reflecting its connection to knowledge and enlightenment.

One of the earliest and most prominent individuals with the surname SIRAJ was the 12th-century Persian poet and philosopher Shams al-Din Siraj. Born in the city of Shiraz, he was renowned for his contributions to Sufi literature and his influential works on mysticism and spirituality.

Another notable figure was the 13th-century Indian scholar and theologian Maulana Siraj-ud-Din Arif. He played a significant role in the spread of Islamic teachings in the Indian subcontinent and was highly regarded for his expertise in various fields, including theology, jurisprudence, and astronomy.

In the 15th century, the name SIRAJ gained prominence in the Ottoman Empire, particularly in regions such as modern-day Turkey and the Balkans. One notable figure from this era was Siraj al-Din al-Husayni, a renowned Islamic scholar and theologian who contributed to the development of Ottoman legal and educational systems.

The surname SIRAJ also has a presence in the Arab world, where it is sometimes spelled as SIRAJ or SIRRAJ. In the 19th century, the Egyptian scholar and reformer Muhammad Abduh, whose full name was Muhammad Abduh Siraj al-Din, played a pivotal role in promoting modern Islamic thought and education.

Throughout its history, the surname SIRAJ has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, philosophy, religion, and education. Its enduring presence across multiple regions and cultures reflects the widespread influence and impact of those who have carried this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Siraj surname: questions and answers

How common is the Siraj surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 270 in 2016. That gives Siraj a modern rank of #15,913.

What does the Siraj surname mean?

A surname derived from the Arabic word for lamp or light, potentially indicating an ancestral profession related to illumination.

What does the Siraj map show?

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