NameCensus.

UK surname

Sunder

An Anglo-Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit "sundara" meaning beautiful or handsome.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Sunder surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 150, ranked #23,724, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sandwell, Slough and Southampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sunder is 163 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7400.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

150

2016, ranked #23,724

Peak year

2011

163 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sunder had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016, ranked #23,724.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 73 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Sunder surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sunder surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sunder 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 11 #31,309
1861 historical 73 #24,492
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 29 #31,963
1901 historical 10 #33,026
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 79 #29,672
1998 modern 75 #30,471
1999 modern 86 #29,496
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 102 #27,093
2002 modern 123 #24,735
2003 modern 129 #23,783
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 141 #22,688
2006 modern 140 #22,948
2007 modern 143 #22,924
2008 modern 147 #22,720
2009 modern 148 #23,141
2010 modern 156 #22,886
2011 modern 163 #21,983
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 147 #23,977
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 150 #23,718
2016 modern 150 #23,724

Geography

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Where Sunders 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 Sandwell, Slough, Southampton and Walsall. 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 Sandwell 030 Sandwell
2 Slough 002 Slough
3 Southampton 022 Southampton
4 Walsall 035 Walsall
5 Southampton 013 Southampton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sunder

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

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

Sunder 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

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

Meaning and origin of Sunder

The surname Sunder has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, with roots dating back to ancient Sanskrit. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "sundara," which translates to "beautiful" or "handsome." This word eventually evolved into the modern Hindi and Urdu word "sunder," retaining its connotation of physical attractiveness.

In India, surnames often originated from occupations, personal characteristics, or place names. The name Sunder likely emerged as a descriptive surname, bestowed upon individuals who possessed striking physical features or an attractive demeanor. It's worth noting that the name was initially more prevalent in northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in areas where Sanskrit and its linguistic descendants held significant influence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Sunder can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century administrative document commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This text mentions several individuals with the surname Sunder, indicating its use during the Mughal era.

Throughout history, the surname Sunder has been associated with various notable figures. One prominent example is Sunder Lal Hora (1870-1954), an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.

Another individual of historical significance is Sunder Singh Majithia (1857-1927), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist from Punjab, who contributed significantly to the establishment of educational institutions and social welfare initiatives in the region.

In the realm of art and literature, Sunder Lal Nehru (1901-1986), a renowned Kashmiri writer and poet, made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Kashmiri literature and culture.

The surname Sunder has also been connected to several place names, particularly in northern India. For instance, the town of Sundernagar in Himachal Pradesh is believed to have derived its name from the surname, potentially indicating a historical presence of individuals bearing this name in the region.

It's worth mentioning that variations in spelling, such as Sundar, Sundara, and Sundera, have existed throughout history, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural influences across different regions of the Indian subcontinent.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sunder families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sunder 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. Lancashire leads with 1 Sunders recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.37x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1 4.37x
Middlesex 1 5.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 1 Sunders recorded in 1881 and an index of 97.09x.

Place Total Index
St Marylebone London 1 97.09x
Toxteth Park 1 129.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emma 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Charles 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 Sunder households.

FAQ

Sunder surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sunder surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Sunder surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sunder surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016. That gives Sunder a modern rank of #23,724.

What does the Sunder surname mean?

An Anglo-Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit "sundara" meaning beautiful or handsome.

What does the Sunder map show?

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