NameCensus.

UK surname

Walji

A surname of Indian origin indicating an ancestral belonging to the Walla merchant community.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Croydon and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walji is 345 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

307

2016, ranked #14,508

Peak year

2011

345 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 307 in 2016, ranked #14,508.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Walji surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Walji surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Walji 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 201 #17,564
1998 modern 222 #16,969
1999 modern 238 #16,308
2000 modern 248 #15,827
2001 modern 251 #15,483
2002 modern 271 #14,966
2003 modern 289 #14,158
2004 modern 291 #14,138
2005 modern 297 #13,916
2006 modern 291 #14,175
2007 modern 297 #14,135
2008 modern 309 #13,860
2009 modern 313 #14,015
2010 modern 342 #13,440
2011 modern 345 #13,221
2012 modern 313 #14,095
2013 modern 313 #14,299
2014 modern 307 #14,608
2015 modern 304 #14,617
2016 modern 307 #14,508

Geography

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Where Waljis 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 Croydon and Peterborough. 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 Croydon 002 Croydon
2 Peterborough 013 Peterborough
3 Peterborough 015 Peterborough
4 Peterborough 016 Peterborough
5 Croydon 004 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Walji

These lists show first names that appear often with the Walji surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Walji

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

Walji 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

Walji falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Walji

The surname WALJI is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Gujarat. The name can be traced back to the late 16th or early 17th century, during the Mughal era.

The name WALJI is derived from the combination of two words – "WAL" and "JI." In the Gujarati language, "WAL" means "one who tends to cows or cattle," while "JI" is an honorific suffix used to show respect. Therefore, the name WALJI likely referred to someone who was a cattle herder or associated with the cattle-rearing profession.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name WALJI can be found in the archives of the Mughal Empire, where it appears in land ownership records from the late 17th century. These records indicate that individuals with the surname WALJI were landowners and farmers in the Gujarat region.

In the 18th century, the name WALJI is mentioned in several historical texts and manuscripts from the region, including accounts of trade and commerce. This suggests that some WALJI individuals were involved in business activities during that time period.

One notable figure with the surname WALJI was Sheth Narottam Walji (c. 1730-1808), a prominent merchant and philanthropist from Surat, Gujarat. He was known for his contributions to the local community and for establishing educational institutions.

Another individual of historical significance was Walji Govindji (1805-1872), a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement. He was a member of the Bombay Association, one of the earliest organizations advocating for social and political reforms in British India.

In the 19th century, the name WALJI appeared in various records related to the cotton trade in Gujarat, indicating that members of the community were involved in textile manufacturing and trade.

Lalji Walji (1860-1942) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from Bombay (now Mumbai). He founded the Lalji Walji Trust, which supported educational initiatives and social welfare programs.

Walji Govindji Sopariwala (1876-1954) was a prominent lawyer and social reformer from Gujarat. He played a significant role in advocating for the rights of the underprivileged and was involved in the Indian independence movement.

The name WALJI can also be found in historical records and documents from other parts of South Asia, indicating that individuals bearing this surname migrated to different regions over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Walji surname: questions and answers

How common is the Walji surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 307 in 2016. That gives Walji a modern rank of #14,508.

What does the Walji surname mean?

A surname of Indian origin indicating an ancestral belonging to the Walla merchant community.

What does the Walji map show?

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