NameCensus.

UK surname

Yusaf

An Arabic surname meaning "Joseph" or "wealthy".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Newbattle and Dalhousie.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yusaf is 186 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

185

2016, ranked #20,652

Peak year

2010

186 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016, ranked #20,652.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Yusaf surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yusaf surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yusaf 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 114 #24,967
1998 modern 124 #24,316
1999 modern 109 #26,439
2000 modern 132 #23,562
2001 modern 127 #23,781
2002 modern 130 #23,903
2003 modern 131 #23,553
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 173 #19,995
2007 modern 177 #19,965
2008 modern 170 #20,672
2009 modern 179 #20,418
2010 modern 186 #20,379
2011 modern 185 #20,288
2012 modern 181 #20,531
2013 modern 183 #20,722
2014 modern 182 #20,958
2015 modern 180 #20,997
2016 modern 185 #20,652

Geography

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Where Yusafs 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 Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Newbattle and Dalhousie, Birmingham and Kirklees. 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 Waltham Forest 022 Waltham Forest
2 Redbridge 014 Redbridge
3 Newbattle and Dalhousie Midlothian
4 Birmingham 088 Birmingham
5 Kirklees 023 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yusaf

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Yusaf

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Yusaf 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

Yusaf 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

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

Meaning and origin of Yusaf

The surname Yusaf can trace its origins back to the Middle East, primarily in the Arabic-speaking countries. It is derived from the Arabic name Yusuf, which itself can be traced back to the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God increases" or "God will add." The surname Yusaf shares linguistic roots with this name and has undergone various transliterations over the centuries.

Initially, the name Yusaf was prevalent in regions that are today parts of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. It spread through the Islamic conquests in the 7th and 8th centuries, gaining a foothold in North Africa, Southern Europe, and South Asia. The historical spread of the name can be linked to the merchant and scholarly activities of the Islamic Golden Age, where many individuals carrying the name Yusaf made significant contributions to science, culture, and trade.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname Yusaf appears in the 12th-century records of Al-Andalus (now Spain). Noteworthy is the scholar Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi, who was a philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, though he primarily went by his given name. His influence and prominence in this period may have contributed to the surname's spread and preservation.

Historical manuscripts from the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled from the mid-8th century to the mid-13th century, also mention several individuals with the surname Yusaf. One such figure was Yusuf ibn Tashfin (died 1106), the founder of the Almoravid dynasty in North Africa and Spain who consolidated the power of Muslim rule in the region.

In the Indian subcontinent, especially during the Mughal Empire (16th-19th centuries), the surname Yusaf was carried by several prominent personalities. For instance, Mirza Yusaf Khan, a notable noble during Emperor Akbar's reign in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, played a significant role in the administration and cultural advancements of the empire.

Another prominent figure in the history of the surname Yusaf is Yusaf bin Ayyub, known as Saladin (1137–1193), the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. He is famous for leading the Muslim military campaign against the Crusader states in the Levant.

Moving to more recent history yet still in an older context, Yusaf Beg Mirza, who flourished during the 19th century in the Persian Empire, was a notable statesman and diplomat. His contributions to foreign affairs and governance left an indelible mark on Persian history.

The surname Yusaf has evolved phonetically and in spelling, influenced by regional dialects and languages. It has variants such as Yusuf, Youssef, and Youssuf, with the basic meaning and lineage remaining consistent. The historical depth and cultural significance of the surname Yusaf underline its enduring legacy across various regions and epochs.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Yusaf surname: questions and answers

How common is the Yusaf surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016. That gives Yusaf a modern rank of #20,652.

What does the Yusaf surname mean?

An Arabic surname meaning "Joseph" or "wealthy".

What does the Yusaf map show?

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