NameCensus.

UK surname

Wasim

An Arabic surname possibly derived from 'wasim' meaning handsome or beautiful.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wasim is 374 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

372

2016, ranked #12,539

Peak year

2014

374 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 372 in 2016, ranked #12,539.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Wasim surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wasim surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wasim 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 1 #34,435
1997 modern 90 #28,360
1998 modern 101 #27,479
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 128 #24,015
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 157 #21,261
2003 modern 168 #20,171
2004 modern 185 #19,114
2005 modern 204 #17,893
2006 modern 216 #17,397
2007 modern 245 #16,134
2008 modern 251 #16,026
2009 modern 285 #14,944
2010 modern 298 #14,812
2011 modern 328 #13,730
2012 modern 334 #13,443
2013 modern 356 #13,016
2014 modern 374 #12,598
2015 modern 363 #12,793
2016 modern 372 #12,539

Geography

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Where Wasims 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 Hyndburn, Lichfield, Manchester, Birmingham 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 Hyndburn 006 Hyndburn
2 Lichfield 005 Lichfield
3 Manchester 008 Manchester
4 Birmingham 048 Birmingham
5 Bradford 044 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wasim

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wasim

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

Wasim 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

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

Meaning and origin of Wasim

The surname WASIM is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the 7th century AD during the early Islamic era. It is derived from the Arabic word "wasim," meaning "handsome" or "beautiful." The name is believed to have originated in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of modern-day Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

In the early days of Islam, names often reflected desirable qualities or virtues, and WASIM was likely given to individuals who possessed attractive physical features or a pleasing demeanor. The name's popularity spread with the expansion of the Islamic empire across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname WASIM can be found in the "Kitab al-Ansab" (Book of Genealogies), a historical work compiled by the renowned Arab scholar and genealogist, al-Sam'ani, in the 11th century AD. This work documented the lineages and family trees of prominent Arab tribes and individuals.

During the medieval period, the name WASIM appeared in various historical records and manuscripts from the Islamic world. For instance, it was mentioned in the "Sirat al-Mustaqim" (The Straight Path), a 12th-century biographical work by the Persian historian and writer, Ibn al-Jawzi.

One notable individual who bore the surname WASIM was Abu Bakr Mohammad ibn Wasim al-Andalusi (1010-1080 AD), a renowned Arab mathematician and astronomer from the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal). He made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomical observations during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization.

Another historical figure with the surname WASIM was Sayyid Wasim al-Din (1335-1412 AD), a prominent Sufi mystic and poet from the Indian subcontinent. His literary works, particularly his poetic compositions, were highly acclaimed and influenced the development of Persian literature in the region.

In the 16th century, the name WASIM appeared in the "Akbar Nama" (Book of Akbar), a biographical account of the Mughal Emperor Akbar (1542-1605 AD), written by his court historian, Abul Fazl. This work mentioned a courtier named Wasim Khan, who served in Akbar's administration.

During the Ottoman Empire, the surname WASIM was also present, as evidenced by historical records from the 17th century. One notable figure was Wasim Efendi, an Ottoman scholar and judge who served in the imperial court of Sultan Mehmed IV (1642-1693 AD).

The surname WASIM has been associated with various places throughout history, including the city of Wasim (or Wasm) in present-day Yemen, which likely derived its name from the same Arabic root. Additionally, the name has been linked to the town of Wasim in the Moroccan region of Souss-Massa.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Wasim surname: questions and answers

How common is the Wasim surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 372 in 2016. That gives Wasim a modern rank of #12,539.

What does the Wasim surname mean?

An Arabic surname possibly derived from 'wasim' meaning handsome or beautiful.

What does the Wasim map show?

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