NameCensus.

UK surname

Sohi

A North Indian surname indicating membership in the Sikh warrior caste.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Oadby and Wigston, Runnymede and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sohi is 218 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

218

2016, ranked #18,481

Peak year

2016

218 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016, ranked #18,481.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Suburban Professionals.

Sohi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sohi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sohi 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
1997 modern 144 #21,660
1998 modern 145 #22,139
1999 modern 159 #21,030
2000 modern 156 #21,235
2001 modern 155 #21,047
2002 modern 165 #20,619
2003 modern 172 #19,893
2004 modern 171 #20,079
2005 modern 178 #19,535
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 201 #18,428
2008 modern 196 #18,895
2009 modern 187 #19,868
2010 modern 199 #19,515
2011 modern 207 #18,841
2012 modern 210 #18,604
2013 modern 217 #18,493
2014 modern 217 #18,645
2015 modern 216 #18,600
2016 modern 218 #18,481

Geography

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Where Sohis 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 Oadby and Wigston, Runnymede, Ealing and Mid Suffolk. 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 Oadby and Wigston 009 Oadby and Wigston
2 Runnymede 002 Runnymede
3 Ealing 026 Ealing
4 Mid Suffolk 007 Mid Suffolk
5 Runnymede 005 Runnymede

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sohi

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Suburban Professionals

Nationally, the Sohi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Suburban Professionals, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Sohi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Employment in this Group is typically in managerial and professional occupations, and education to degree level is common. Residents are typically of working age, many of whom identify with an Indian ethnicity. Households are unlikely to be of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities, and English is not the main language used in some households. This Group is found on the outskirts of most conurbations as well as in the suburbs of some free-standing towns.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Sohi 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

Sohi 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

Sohi falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Sohi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Sohi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Sohi

The surname SOHI has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, most likely from the Punjab region of modern-day India and Pakistan. The name is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sohī,' which means 'beautiful' or 'graceful.' This suggests that the name was initially given as a descriptive term, possibly referring to a person's physical appearance or personality traits.

In the historical records of the region, the earliest known reference to the name SOHI dates back to the 16th century. During this period, the Mughal Empire ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent, and many names and titles were given to individuals based on their occupations, social status, or personal attributes. It is possible that the SOHI name was initially associated with a particular profession or social group.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the SOHI surname was Bhai Mati Das SOHI, a influential Sikh scholar and warrior who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was a close companion of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, and is revered for his contributions to the Sikh faith and his sacrifices during the Mughal persecutions.

Another notable figure in Sikh history was Bhai Sati Das SOHI, who lived in the late 17th century. He was a devoted follower of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh Guru, and played a crucial role in preserving and propagating the Sikh teachings during a time of turmoil and oppression.

In the 19th century, Sardar Dyal Singh SOHI was a prominent figure in the Sikh community. He was a wealthy landowner and philanthropist who founded several educational institutions, including the Dyal Singh College in Lahore, which is now part of Pakistan.

During the British colonial era in India, the name SOHI was also found among the ranks of the British Indian Army. One such individual was Subedar Karam Singh SOHI, who served with distinction in the Indian Army during World War I and was awarded the Indian Order of Merit for his bravery and leadership.

As the SOHI surname spread across the Indian subcontinent and beyond, it has been associated with various professions and walks of life, from academics and artists to businesspeople and politicians. The name continues to hold cultural significance, particularly within the Sikh community, as a representation of the rich heritage and history of the Punjab region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Sohi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Sohi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 218 in 2016. That gives Sohi a modern rank of #18,481.

What does the Sohi surname mean?

A North Indian surname indicating membership in the Sikh warrior caste.

What does the Sohi map show?

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