NameCensus.

UK surname

Vaghela

A surname of Indian origin, possibly derived from a village or place name.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leicester, Rugby and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vaghela is 1,066 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,042

2016, ranked #5,595

Peak year

2010

1,066 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,042 in 2016, ranked #5,595.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Vaghela surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Vaghela surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Vaghela 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
1997 modern 663 #7,554
1998 modern 691 #7,560
1999 modern 729 #7,299
2000 modern 748 #7,113
2001 modern 735 #7,086
2002 modern 795 #6,812
2003 modern 817 #6,541
2004 modern 859 #6,303
2005 modern 873 #6,169
2006 modern 920 #5,936
2007 modern 951 #5,847
2008 modern 963 #5,820
2009 modern 997 #5,775
2010 modern 1,066 #5,578
2011 modern 1,060 #5,543
2012 modern 982 #5,821
2013 modern 1,040 #5,658
2014 modern 1,043 #5,664
2015 modern 1,035 #5,652
2016 modern 1,042 #5,595

Geography

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Where Vaghelas 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 Leicester, Rugby 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 Leicester 007 Leicester
2 Leicester 010 Leicester
3 Rugby 005 Rugby
4 Rugby 003 Rugby
5 Brent 008 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Vaghela

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

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

Vaghela 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

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

Meaning and origin of Vaghela

The surname VAGHELA is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Gujarat. The name can be traced back to the 8th century AD, when the Vaghela dynasty ruled over parts of present-day Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Vaghela," which means "tiger." This suggests that the original bearer of the name may have been a warrior or a hunter known for their bravery and strength, likened to a tiger.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name VAGHELA can be found in the Nausari copper-plate inscriptions, dated around 807 AD. These inscriptions were issued by the Vaghela king, Dantidurga, and provide valuable insights into the history and governance of the dynasty.

The Vaghela dynasty played a significant role in the region's history, with several notable rulers. One of the most famous Vaghela rulers was Karna, who ruled from 1064 to 1094 AD. He is credited with establishing the city of Karnavati, which later became known as Ahmedabad.

Another prominent figure with the surname VAGHELA was Arjunadeva, who ruled from 1262 to 1274 AD. He is known for his patronage of literature and the arts, as well as for his military campaigns against neighboring kingdoms.

In the 14th century, the Vaghela dynasty was eventually overthrown by the Delhi Sultanate, led by Alauddin Khilji. However, the name VAGHELA continued to be used by various communities in Gujarat and surrounding regions.

Over the centuries, the name VAGHELA has undergone several variations in spelling, including Vaghela, Wagela, and Vaghelar. These variations can be found in historical records and manuscripts from different parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Other notable individuals with the surname VAGHELA include Samant Zaveri Vaghela, a prominent merchant and philanthropist from the 16th century, and Manilal Vaghela, a social reformer and educationist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The VAGHELA surname has a rich history and is deeply rooted in the cultural and political legacy of the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Vaghela surname: questions and answers

How common is the Vaghela surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,042 in 2016. That gives Vaghela a modern rank of #5,595.

What does the Vaghela surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin, possibly derived from a village or place name.

What does the Vaghela map show?

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