NameCensus.

UK surname

Suliman

An Arabic surname derived from the name "Sulayman" meaning "follower of peace".

In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Suliman surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 300, ranked #14,738, up from #33,498 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Morningside and Craighouse, Newcastle upon Tyne and Ealing.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Suliman is 300 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9900.0%.

1881 census count

3

Ranked #33,498

Modern count

300

2016, ranked #14,738

Peak year

2016

300 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Suliman had 3 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,498 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 300 in 2016, ranked #14,738.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Suliman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Suliman surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Suliman 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
1851 historical 1 #33,412
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 3 #33,498
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 67 #30,915
1998 modern 76 #30,386
1999 modern 84 #29,700
2000 modern 89 #29,173
2001 modern 96 #27,976
2002 modern 111 #26,291
2003 modern 126 #24,146
2004 modern 131 #23,756
2005 modern 147 #22,057
2006 modern 162 #20,886
2007 modern 185 #19,402
2008 modern 196 #18,895
2009 modern 205 #18,722
2010 modern 236 #17,427
2011 modern 243 #16,968
2012 modern 273 #15,546
2013 modern 290 #15,107
2014 modern 298 #14,911
2015 modern 296 #14,893
2016 modern 300 #14,738

Geography

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Where Sulimans 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 Morningside and Craighouse, Newcastle upon Tyne, Ealing, Lewisham and Crookfur and Fruin. 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 Morningside and Craighouse City of Edinburgh
2 Newcastle upon Tyne 019 Newcastle upon Tyne
3 Ealing 020 Ealing
4 Lewisham 023 Lewisham
5 Crookfur and Fruin East Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Suliman

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

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Suliman surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Suliman household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Suliman is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Suliman 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

Suliman falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Suliman 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Suliman

The surname Suliman has its roots in the Arabic language and is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in regions such as the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. The name is derived from the Arabic word "Sulaiman," which translates to "Solomon" or "the man of peace."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Suliman can be traced back to the 7th century, when it was mentioned in ancient Arabic manuscripts and historical texts. It is believed that the name gained prominence during the time of the Islamic Golden Age, a period of significant cultural, scientific, and intellectual advancements in the Islamic world.

In medieval times, the surname Suliman was often associated with individuals from prominent families or those who held positions of authority and influence within the Islamic empires. Historical records indicate that several notable figures bore this surname, including Suliman al-Kindi (801-873), a renowned Arab philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who made significant contributions to the fields of optics and medicine.

Another prominent figure with the surname Suliman was Suliman al-Farisi (c. 1154-1201), a renowned Persian mathematician and astronomer. He is credited with developing innovative methods for calculating the positions of celestial bodies and writing influential treatises on astronomy and mathematics.

In the 13th century, a notable scholar and jurist named Suliman al-Bukhari (1212-1292) gained recognition for his expertise in Islamic law and jurisprudence. His works on legal interpretations and rulings were widely studied and referenced by scholars and legal experts of his time.

Moving forward in history, the 16th century saw the rise of Suliman the Magnificent (1494-1566), the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He was a powerful ruler known for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and patronage of arts and architecture, leaving a lasting legacy in the region.

Another figure of note was Suliman Pasha (1838-1892), an Ottoman statesman and diplomat who served as the Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) of the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th century. He played a significant role in the modernization efforts of the empire and was instrumental in implementing various reforms.

While the surname Suliman has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchanges. The name has also undergone variations in spelling and pronunciation, such as Soliman, Suleiman, or Sulaiman, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of different regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Suliman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Suliman surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 3 Sulimans recorded in 1881 and an index of 30.09x.

County Total Index
Kent 3 30.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. River in Kent leads with 3 Sulimans recorded in 1881 and an index of 30000.00x.

Place Total Index
River 3 30000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Suliman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 1
Minie 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Suliman surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Suliman households.

FAQ

Suliman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Suliman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Suliman surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Suliman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 300 in 2016. That gives Suliman a modern rank of #14,738.

What does the Suliman surname mean?

An Arabic surname derived from the name "Sulayman" meaning "follower of peace".

What does the Suliman map show?

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