NameCensus.

UK surname

Zaidi

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "one who increases" or "one who grows."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hounslow, Slough and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Zaidi is 1,004 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,004

2016, ranked #5,786

Peak year

2016

1,004 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,004 in 2016, ranked #5,786.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Zaidi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Zaidi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Zaidi 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 444 #10,172
1998 modern 459 #10,250
1999 modern 493 #9,765
2000 modern 493 #9,736
2001 modern 494 #9,560
2002 modern 542 #9,074
2003 modern 551 #8,831
2004 modern 626 #8,077
2005 modern 682 #7,502
2006 modern 737 #7,081
2007 modern 782 #6,815
2008 modern 824 #6,581
2009 modern 897 #6,285
2010 modern 990 #5,921
2011 modern 936 #6,139
2012 modern 940 #6,038
2013 modern 983 #5,906
2014 modern 995 #5,885
2015 modern 1,002 #5,797
2016 modern 1,004 #5,786

Geography

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Where Zaidis 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 Hounslow, Slough, Brent and Manchester. 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 Hounslow 012 Hounslow
2 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
3 Slough 007 Slough
4 Brent 013 Brent
5 Manchester 022 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Zaidi

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

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

Zaidi 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

Zaidi falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Zaidi

The surname "ZAIDI" originated in Yemen, tracing its roots back to the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Arabic word "Zayd," which means "to increase" or "to grow." The name is closely associated with the Zaidi community, a sub-sect of Shia Islam predominantly found in Yemen.

During the early Islamic era, the Zaidi dynasty ruled parts of Yemen for several centuries. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab scholar and historian, Al-Tabari, who chronicled the events of the Zaidi Imamate in Yemen in the 9th century.

The surname Zaidi became more widespread as the Zaidi community expanded and migrated to other parts of the Middle East and Asia. Notable historical figures bearing this surname include Al-Hadi ila'l-Haqq Yahya bin Al-Husayn (859-911 AD), the founder of the Zaidi state in Yemen, and Al-Mutawakkil Ahmad bin Sulayman (d. 1055 AD), a prominent Zaidi ruler who established the Sulayhid dynasty in Yemen.

In the 12th century, the Zaidi scholar and theologian Al-Mu'ayyad fi'l-Din al-Shirazi (1087-1137 AD) played a significant role in propagating Zaidi teachings and strengthening the community's intellectual foundations. Another renowned figure was Al-Mansur Al-Qasim bin Muhammad (1508-1559 AD), a Zaidi Imam who fought against the Ottoman Empire's attempts to control Yemen.

The surname Zaidi is also closely associated with the city of Saada in northern Yemen, which has been a stronghold of the Zaidi community for centuries. The city's name was often used interchangeably with the surname, and many prominent Zaidi scholars and leaders hailed from this region.

Over time, the surname Zaidi spread beyond Yemen, as members of the community migrated to other parts of the world. Today, individuals bearing this surname can be found in various countries, including India, Pakistan, and parts of East Africa, reflecting the global diaspora of the Zaidi community.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Zaidi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Zaidi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,004 in 2016. That gives Zaidi a modern rank of #5,786.

What does the Zaidi surname mean?

A surname of Arabic origin meaning "one who increases" or "one who grows."

What does the Zaidi map show?

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