NameCensus.

UK surname

Taha

An Arabic surname derived from the given name Taha, meaning "one who is pure" or "one who is good."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Westminster and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Taha is 357 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

349

2016, ranked #13,189

Peak year

2015

357 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016, ranked #13,189.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Taha surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Taha surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Taha 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 2 #34,436
1997 modern 86 #28,876
1998 modern 91 #28,806
1999 modern 114 #25,766
2000 modern 112 #25,978
2001 modern 119 #24,733
2002 modern 138 #23,094
2003 modern 155 #21,217
2004 modern 171 #20,079
2005 modern 187 #18,924
2006 modern 201 #18,226
2007 modern 226 #17,103
2008 modern 241 #16,481
2009 modern 279 #15,184
2010 modern 308 #14,452
2011 modern 288 #15,009
2012 modern 298 #14,565
2013 modern 323 #14,003
2014 modern 344 #13,426
2015 modern 357 #12,979
2016 modern 349 #13,189

Geography

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Where Tahas 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 County Durham, Westminster, Harrow, Bolton and Brent. 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 County Durham 033 County Durham
2 Westminster 001 Westminster
3 Harrow 019 Harrow
4 Bolton 023 Bolton
5 Brent 015 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Taha

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

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

Taha 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

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

Meaning and origin of Taha

The surname Taha has its origins rooted in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "taha," which means "to wander" or "to roam." This surname can be traced back to the regions of the Middle East, particularly the Arabian Peninsula, where nomadic lifestyles were prevalent in ancient times.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Taha can be found in the historical records of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled a vast territory spanning from Persia to North Africa during the 8th to 13th centuries. These records mention individuals bearing the name Taha, indicating its existence during the golden age of Islamic civilization.

In the 12th century, a notable figure named Taha al-Basri, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist, gained prominence for his contributions to the study of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). Born in Basra, Iraq, in 1072, Taha al-Basri left a lasting impact on the intellectual and religious discourse of his time.

Another prominent individual with the surname Taha was Taha Hussein, an Egyptian writer, and literary critic who lived from 1889 to 1973. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Arabic literature and a pioneer of the Arab Renaissance (Nahda) movement. His works, such as "The Days" and "The Stream of Days," explored themes of social and cultural reform in Egypt and the Arab world.

In the 20th century, Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, a Sudanese religious thinker and leader, gained recognition for his reformist ideas and interpretations of Islamic teachings. Born in 1909, Taha advocated for a renewed understanding of Islam, emphasizing its universal and progressive values. His works, such as "The Second Message of Islam," had a significant impact on Islamic thought and sparked important debates.

Another notable figure with the surname Taha was Ismail Serageldin, an Egyptian writer, and philosopher born in 1944. He served as Vice President of the World Bank and played a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation. Serageldin's works, including "Nurturing Development" and "The Crucible of Life," explored the intersection of development, culture, and ethics.

While the surname Taha has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to hold significance and carry a rich historical legacy, serving as a testament to the diverse cultural tapestry that shapes our global community.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Taha surname: questions and answers

How common is the Taha surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 349 in 2016. That gives Taha a modern rank of #13,189.

What does the Taha surname mean?

An Arabic surname derived from the given name Taha, meaning "one who is pure" or "one who is good."

What does the Taha map show?

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