NameCensus.

UK surname

Unnisa

An Arabic surname derived from the phrase "Un Nisa" meaning "among women."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bradford, Birmingham and Hyndburn.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Unnisa is 144 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

140

2016, ranked #24,865

Peak year

2014

144 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016, ranked #24,865.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Unnisa surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Unnisa surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Unnisa 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
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1997 modern 20 #35,809
1998 modern 23 #35,603
1999 modern 29 #35,031
2000 modern 54 #32,710
2001 modern 57 #32,275
2002 modern 66 #31,821
2003 modern 66 #31,879
2004 modern 64 #32,286
2005 modern 79 #30,950
2006 modern 89 #30,027
2007 modern 99 #28,852
2008 modern 107 #27,844
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 118 #27,404
2011 modern 120 #26,930
2012 modern 132 #25,289
2013 modern 142 #24,547
2014 modern 144 #24,504
2015 modern 140 #24,836
2016 modern 140 #24,865

Geography

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Where Unnisas 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 Bradford, Birmingham, Hyndburn and Pendle. 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 Bradford 034 Bradford
2 Birmingham 071 Birmingham
3 Bradford 038 Bradford
4 Hyndburn 001 Hyndburn
5 Pendle 011 Pendle

Forenames

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First names often paired with Unnisa

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

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

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Unnisa surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Unnisa household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

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

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Unnisa is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

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

Unnisa 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

Unnisa 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 Unnisa is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
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 Unnisa, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Unnisa

The surname "UNNISA" originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from the region of South Asia. It is believed to have its roots in the Persian language, where "Un" means "that" and "Nisa" means "woman". The earliest records of this surname date back to the 16th century during the Mughal era in India.

One of the earliest known references to the name "UNNISA" can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century document written by Abu'l-Fazl, the vizier of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This document contains detailed records of the administration and governance of the Mughal Empire, including lists of officials and noblemen.

The name "UNNISA" was particularly prevalent among the Muslim communities of the Indian subcontinent, and it is believed that some of the earliest bearers of this surname were noblewomen or courtiers associated with the Mughal court. One such notable figure was Unnisa Begum, a 17th-century Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Aurangzeb.

In the 18th century, there are records of a Sufi saint named Unnisa Khanum, who is said to have lived in the city of Lucknow, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. Her shrine, known as the Dargah of Unnisa Khanum, still exists and is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees.

Another prominent figure with the surname "UNNISA" was Unnisa Begum, a 19th-century Urdu poet and scholar from the city of Hyderabad, in present-day Telangana, India. She was known for her contributions to Urdu literature and her patronage of the arts.

In the 20th century, one of the most notable individuals with the surname "UNNISA" was Unnisa Begum, a Pakistani classical singer and musician. She was born in 1932 and was widely recognized for her mastery of the thumri and ghazal genres of Hindustani classical music.

While the surname "UNNISA" has its origins in South Asia, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical roots and cultural significance remain deeply intertwined with the Indian subcontinent and its rich heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Unnisa surname: questions and answers

How common is the Unnisa surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 140 in 2016. That gives Unnisa a modern rank of #24,865.

What does the Unnisa surname mean?

An Arabic surname derived from the phrase "Un Nisa" meaning "among women."

What does the Unnisa map show?

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