NameCensus.

UK surname

Weerasinghe

A Sri Lankan surname indicating the bearer is a lion (singhe) among heroes (weera).

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ealing, Bedford and Colchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Weerasinghe is 254 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

250

2016, ranked #16,792

Peak year

2012

254 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 250 in 2016, ranked #16,792.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Weerasinghe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Weerasinghe surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Weerasinghe 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
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 109 #25,650
1998 modern 111 #25,990
1999 modern 114 #25,766
2000 modern 119 #25,072
2001 modern 122 #24,366
2002 modern 129 #24,021
2003 modern 131 #23,553
2004 modern 149 #21,905
2005 modern 170 #20,066
2006 modern 182 #19,402
2007 modern 198 #18,600
2008 modern 214 #17,854
2009 modern 223 #17,735
2010 modern 243 #17,100
2011 modern 245 #16,874
2012 modern 254 #16,328
2013 modern 244 #17,072
2014 modern 249 #16,954
2015 modern 245 #17,040
2016 modern 250 #16,792

Geography

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Where Weerasinghes 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 Ealing, Bedford, Colchester, Brent and Reigate and Banstead. 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 Ealing 003 Ealing
2 Bedford 010 Bedford
3 Colchester 002 Colchester
4 Brent 008 Brent
5 Reigate and Banstead 010 Reigate and Banstead

Forenames

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First names often paired with Weerasinghe

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

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

Weerasinghe 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

Weerasinghe falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Weerasinghe

The surname Weerasinghe has its origins in Sri Lanka, a tropical island nation in South Asia. It is a Sinhalese name, derived from the Sinhala language, which is spoken by the majority ethnic group in the country.

The name Weerasinghe is a compound word formed by combining two distinct Sinhala words – "Weera" and "Singhe." "Weera" means brave, courageous, or valiant, while "Singhe" means lion. Thus, the name Weerasinghe can be interpreted as "Brave Lion" or "Courageous Lion."

This surname is believed to have emerged during the medieval period in Sri Lanka, when surnames were often bestowed upon individuals or families based on their occupation, physical traits, or notable achievements. It is likely that the name Weerasinghe was initially given to a warrior or a person of great bravery and strength, akin to a lion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Weerasinghe can be found in the Chulavamsa, a historical chronicle of the island's rich history. The text mentions a notable figure named Weerasinghe Mudaliyar, who served as a high-ranking official during the reign of King Rajadhi Raja Sinha in the late 17th century.

Another prominent individual bearing this surname was Don Juan Weerasinghe, a distinguished Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) scholar and writer who lived in the 19th century. He authored several literary works and played a significant role in preserving the Sinhala language and culture.

In the 20th century, Jatila Weerasinghe (1899-1975) was a renowned Sinhala playwright and novelist known for his contributions to Sri Lankan literature. His works explored themes of social inequality, cultural identity, and the struggles of the common people.

More recently, Jayanthi Weerasinghe (born 1951) is a respected Sri Lankan actress and singer who has been active in the entertainment industry for over four decades. She has received numerous accolades for her performances in both theater and cinema.

Ranjith Weerasinghe (born 1958) is a renowned Sri Lankan filmmaker and screenwriter, acclaimed for his thought-provoking and socially conscious films. His work often tackles issues of class, corruption, and the complexities of Sri Lankan society.

While the name Weerasinghe is predominantly found in Sri Lanka, it has also gained recognition and respect beyond the island nation due to the achievements and contributions of individuals bearing this surname in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Weerasinghe surname: questions and answers

How common is the Weerasinghe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 250 in 2016. That gives Weerasinghe a modern rank of #16,792.

What does the Weerasinghe surname mean?

A Sri Lankan surname indicating the bearer is a lion (singhe) among heroes (weera).

What does the Weerasinghe map show?

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