NameCensus.

UK surname

Zuberi

An Arabic surname derived from the word "zubar" meaning small pebbles.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Zuberi is 139 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

124

2016, ranked #26,975

Peak year

2012

139 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016, ranked #26,975.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Zuberi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Zuberi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Zuberi 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 82 #29,325
1998 modern 88 #29,131
1999 modern 94 #28,593
2000 modern 101 #27,555
2001 modern 94 #28,246
2002 modern 96 #28,534
2003 modern 107 #26,617
2004 modern 111 #26,293
2005 modern 111 #26,260
2006 modern 110 #26,717
2007 modern 114 #26,491
2008 modern 115 #26,635
2009 modern 122 #26,220
2010 modern 128 #26,036
2011 modern 124 #26,367
2012 modern 139 #24,485
2013 modern 130 #26,074
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 126 #26,654
2016 modern 124 #26,975

Geography

Back to top

Where Zuberis 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 Wandsworth, Croydon, Hounslow, Brent and Westminster. 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 Wandsworth 030 Wandsworth
2 Croydon 004 Croydon
3 Hounslow 021 Hounslow
4 Brent 028 Brent
5 Westminster 005 Westminster

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Zuberi

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

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Zuberi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Zuberi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Zuberi is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Zuberi 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

Zuberi falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Zuberi

The surname Zuberi originates from the Swahili-speaking regions of East Africa, particularly from coastal areas like Tanzania and Kenya, where Swahili culture and language predominate. This surname can be traced back to at least the late 18th century, during a time when the Swahili Coast was a hub for trade and cultural exchange.

The name Zuberi is derived from the Swahili word "zūbērī," which means "strong" or "powerful," and it is also influenced by Arabic, given the significant Arab influence along the East African coast. Historically, Swahili-speaking people often adopted Arab names, incorporating them into their culture and language.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Zuberi appears in the writings of the great explorer Richard Francis Burton. In his mid-19th-century notes on the Zanzibar archipelago, Burton documented several Swahili families, including the Zuberi family, who were prominent traders in the region.

An early and notable individual bearing this surname was Hasani Bin Zuberi, a prominent 19th-century merchant born around 1820. Known for his extensive trade network, Hasani played a key role in the ivory trade in East Africa. His descendants continued to hold significant influence in the region well into the early 20th century.

Another historical figure with this surname was Abdul Zuberi, a respected Swahili scholar and advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar, born circa 1845. His contributions to the preservation and promotion of Swahili literature and culture were highly valuable during a time of rapid change and outside influence.

In the early 20th century, Fatuma Zuberi, born in 1902, became one of the first women in East Africa to gain recognition as a political activist. Her efforts in advocating for women's rights and education in Tanzania were groundbreaking and left a lasting impact on her community.

Another significant individual was Juma Zuberi, a port authority officer in Mombasa, born in 1881. His meticulous records and leadership during the British colonial period helped streamline port operations and improve maritime trade standards.

Lastly, in the mid-20th century, Ali Zuberi, born in 1925, rose to prominence as a diplomat for Kenya. His service during the early years of Kenya's independence helped foster international relations and establish Kenya as an influential independent nation.

The surname Zuberi thus carries a rich history intertwined with trade, scholarship, activism, and governance, reflecting the dynamic heritage of the Swahili-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Zuberi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Zuberi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 124 in 2016. That gives Zuberi a modern rank of #26,975.

What does the Zuberi surname mean?

An Arabic surname derived from the word "zubar" meaning small pebbles.

What does the Zuberi map show?

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