NameCensus.

UK surname

Waqas

A surname derived from an Arabic word meaning "dignity" or "respect".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Manchester, Redbridge and Kirklees.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Waqas is 452 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

452

2016, ranked #10,768

Peak year

2016

452 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 452 in 2016, ranked #10,768.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Waqas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Waqas surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Waqas 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 8 #37,372
1998 modern 16 #36,361
1999 modern 19 #36,041
2000 modern 18 #36,104
2001 modern 17 #36,053
2002 modern 39 #34,219
2003 modern 52 #33,160
2004 modern 78 #30,919
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 138 #23,156
2007 modern 181 #19,680
2008 modern 207 #18,243
2009 modern 237 #17,052
2010 modern 286 #15,231
2011 modern 322 #13,907
2012 modern 390 #11,946
2013 modern 402 #11,871
2014 modern 439 #11,132
2015 modern 441 #10,994
2016 modern 452 #10,768

Geography

Back to top

Where Waqas' 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 Manchester, Redbridge, Kirklees and Bradford. 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 Manchester 027 Manchester
2 Redbridge 030 Redbridge
3 Kirklees 031 Kirklees
4 Bradford 042 Bradford
5 Bradford 037 Bradford

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Waqas

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Waqas

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

Waqas 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

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

Meaning and origin of Waqas

The surname Waqas has its origins in South Asia, specifically in the region that is now modern-day Pakistan. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 10th or 11th century AD. The name is derived from the Arabic word "waqas," which means "dignity" or "grandeur."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Waqas can be found in the writings of Persian poets and scholars from the 11th and 12th centuries. These poets often used poetic names or pen names, and Waqas was one such name adopted by several poets of that era.

In the 13th century, during the Delhi Sultanate period, the name Waqas gained prominence as it was used by members of the nobility and ruling class. Historical records from this time mention several individuals with the surname Waqas serving as administrators, military commanders, and advisors to the sultans.

One notable figure from this period was Waqas al-Din, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in Delhi during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish (1211-1236 AD). His works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and philosophy, were widely celebrated and have been preserved in various manuscripts.

In the 16th century, during the Mughal Empire, the surname Waqas continued to be associated with individuals of high social standing. One prominent example is Waqas Khan, a powerful nobleman and military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556-1605 AD). Waqas Khan played a crucial role in several military campaigns and was awarded numerous titles and lands for his service.

Another notable individual was Mir Waqas Ali, a renowned poet and calligrapher who lived in the 17th century. His works, which were highly praised for their beauty and artistry, are still studied and appreciated by scholars and connoisseurs of calligraphy today.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname Waqas was also associated with several influential figures in the region. For instance, Waqas Ali Khan was a prominent statesman and diplomat who served as the ambassador of the Mughal Empire to several European courts during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707 AD).

In more recent times, the surname Waqas has continued to be prevalent in Pakistan and other parts of South Asia. Several notable individuals bearing this surname have made significant contributions in various fields, such as literature, politics, and academia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Waqas surname: questions and answers

How common is the Waqas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 452 in 2016. That gives Waqas a modern rank of #10,768.

What does the Waqas surname mean?

A surname derived from an Arabic word meaning "dignity" or "respect".

What does the Waqas map show?

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