NameCensus.

UK surname

Thaker

An Indian surname commonly found among Brahmin communities, derived from the Sanskrit word "acharya" meaning "teacher" or "preceptor".

In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Thaker surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 576, ranked #8,983, up from #30,339 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Thaker is 595 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2404.3%.

1881 census count

23

Ranked #30,339

Modern count

576

2016, ranked #8,983

Peak year

2010

595 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Thaker had 23 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,339 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 576 in 2016, ranked #8,983.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 45 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Thaker surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Thaker surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Thaker 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 42 #25,706
1861 historical 45 #28,296
1881 historical 23 #30,339
1891 historical 44 #30,838
1901 historical 9 #33,154
1911 historical 14 #32,045
1997 modern 437 #10,299
1998 modern 466 #10,140
1999 modern 471 #10,098
2000 modern 481 #9,916
2001 modern 482 #9,717
2002 modern 483 #9,882
2003 modern 488 #9,657
2004 modern 492 #9,616
2005 modern 515 #9,251
2006 modern 546 #8,867
2007 modern 551 #8,894
2008 modern 544 #9,041
2009 modern 577 #8,838
2010 modern 595 #8,844
2011 modern 562 #9,111
2012 modern 548 #9,194
2013 modern 579 #8,965
2014 modern 582 #8,997
2015 modern 577 #8,985
2016 modern 576 #8,983

Geography

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Where Thakers 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 Harrow, Hounslow, Wandsworth 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 Harrow 012 Harrow
2 Hounslow 021 Hounslow
3 Wandsworth 033 Wandsworth
4 Hounslow 019 Hounslow
5 Brent 026 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Thaker

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

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

Thaker 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

Thaker falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Thaker 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 Thaker, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Thaker

The surname Thaker is believed to have originated from the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The name is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "thakura," which means "lord" or "master." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to denote someone of high social standing or a person in a position of authority.

One of the earliest known references to the name Thaker can be found in historical records from the medieval period in India, particularly during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Gujarat and Rajasthan from the 6th to the 8th century AD. It is believed that the name was initially associated with individuals who held positions of power or were part of the ruling class during this time.

The Thaker surname can also be traced back to various place names in Gujarat and Rajasthan, such as Thakerpur, Thakernagar, and Thakerwadi, indicating a possible connection between the name and certain locations or villages in these regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Thaker was Ratan Singh Thaker, a prominent military commander who served under the Rajput ruler Rana Sanga in the 16th century. Another notable figure was Bhakti poet and saint Narsi Mehta Thaker, who lived in the 15th-16th century and made significant contributions to the Gujarati literary tradition.

In the 18th century, Rustomji Thaker was a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Gujarat, known for his charitable works and support for educational institutions.

During the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century, Mohanlal Thaker was a notable freedom fighter and social reformer from Gujarat, who actively participated in the struggle against British colonial rule.

Kiran Thaker, a contemporary figure, is a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer who has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the field of Kathak dance.

These examples illustrate the historical presence of the Thaker surname across various periods and regions in India, with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions carrying this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Thaker families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Thaker 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. Norfolk leads with 11 Thakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.88x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 11 31.88x
Warwickshire 5 8.84x
Yorkshire 3 1.35x
Middlesex 2 0.89x
Lancashire 1 0.38x
Somerset 1 2.77x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Yarmouth in Norfolk leads with 8 Thakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 279.72x.

Place Total Index
Great Yarmouth 8 279.72x
Birmingham 5 26.51x
Brandon 3 1578.95x
Brightside Bierlow 3 68.81x
Accrington 1 41.32x
Islington London 1 4.60x
Lyncombe Widcombe 1 105.26x
St George In East 1 65.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 3
Emma 2
Mary 2
Agnes 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Elizbth. 1
Florence 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Charles 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Hy. 1
James 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
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 Thaker households.

FAQ

Thaker surname: questions and answers

How common was the Thaker surname in 1881?

In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Thaker surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Thaker surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 576 in 2016. That gives Thaker a modern rank of #8,983.

What does the Thaker surname mean?

An Indian surname commonly found among Brahmin communities, derived from the Sanskrit word "acharya" meaning "teacher" or "preceptor".

What does the Thaker map show?

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