NameCensus.

UK surname

Thapar

An Indian surname referring to a lamp maker or seller of oil lamps.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Thapar is 272 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

251

2016, ranked #16,744

Peak year

2011

272 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016, ranked #16,744.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Thapar surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Thapar surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Thapar 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 1 #34,674
1997 modern 171 #19,438
1998 modern 173 #19,821
1999 modern 185 #19,127
2000 modern 203 #18,043
2001 modern 197 #18,108
2002 modern 214 #17,545
2003 modern 221 #16,987
2004 modern 223 #16,965
2005 modern 225 #16,831
2006 modern 231 #16,636
2007 modern 252 #15,815
2008 modern 255 #15,859
2009 modern 264 #15,798
2010 modern 263 #16,205
2011 modern 272 #15,653
2012 modern 241 #16,925
2013 modern 244 #17,072
2014 modern 245 #17,140
2015 modern 246 #16,994
2016 modern 251 #16,744

Geography

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Where Thapars 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 Coventry, Alexandra Parade and Hounslow. 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 Coventry 015 Coventry
2 Coventry 040 Coventry
3 Coventry 009 Coventry
4 Alexandra Parade Glasgow City
5 Hounslow 004 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Thapar

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

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

Thapar 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

Thapar falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Thapar

The surname Thapar is of Indian origin, originating from the Punjab region of northern India. It likely has roots in the Sanskrit language, with a possible connection to the word 'thappar', meaning 'slap' or 'strike'. The name may have been derived from an occupation or a physical characteristic associated with striking or hitting.

The earliest recorded instances of the Thapar surname can be traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries in historical documents from the Mughal Empire, which ruled over parts of the Indian subcontinent during that time period. Some references suggest that the Thapars were part of the Khatri community, a trading and mercantile group.

One notable bearer of the Thapar name was Lala Dharam Chand Thapar, a prominent industrialist and philanthropist who lived from 1844 to 1923. He established the Thapar Group of Companies, which became a leading conglomerate in India, spanning industries such as textiles, paper, and chemicals.

Another significant figure was Pran Nath Thapar (1909-1991), an Indian diplomat and politician who served as the Governor of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. He was also the first Chairman of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

In the field of education, Karan Thapar (born 1944) is a well-known Indian journalist and television host. He has hosted several influential shows and has been associated with prestigious media organizations like the BBC and CNN.

The Thapar name has also gained recognition in the academic world. Romesh Thapar (1923-2015) was an eminent Indian historian and writer, known for his contributions to the study of ancient and medieval Indian history.

Lastly, Vir Sanghvi (born 1954), an Indian journalist, author, and television personality, is another notable figure with the Thapar surname. He has written extensively on various subjects, including food, travel, and politics.

While the Thapar surname may have originated from a specific region and community in India, it has since spread across the country and has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, leaving a lasting impact on various spheres of Indian society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Thapar surname: questions and answers

How common is the Thapar surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016. That gives Thapar a modern rank of #16,744.

What does the Thapar surname mean?

An Indian surname referring to a lamp maker or seller of oil lamps.

What does the Thapar map show?

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