NameCensus.

UK surname

Bolas

A Spanish surname derived from the word for "ball," suggesting possible ancestral connections to sports, games, or a spherical trade or craft.

In the 1881 census there were 172 people recorded with the Bolas surname, ranking it #14,163 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 270, ranked #15,913, down from #14,163 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, Edgmond (Edgmond), Chetwynd, Cheswardine, Hinstock and Shiffnal. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire and Cannock Chase.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bolas is 297 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.0%.

1881 census count

172

Ranked #14,163

Modern count

270

2016, ranked #15,913

Peak year

2014

297 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bolas had 172 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,163 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 270 in 2016, ranked #15,913.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 272 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Bolas surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Bolas surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Bolas 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
1851 historical 109 #16,212
1861 historical 96 #21,648
1881 historical 172 #14,163
1891 historical 205 #14,649
1901 historical 227 #13,970
1911 historical 272 #12,205
1997 modern 276 #14,290
1998 modern 272 #14,846
1999 modern 274 #14,826
2000 modern 271 #14,910
2001 modern 256 #15,273
2002 modern 275 #14,819
2003 modern 262 #15,150
2004 modern 267 #15,038
2005 modern 251 #15,590
2006 modern 245 #15,956
2007 modern 262 #15,399
2008 modern 271 #15,182
2009 modern 283 #15,020
2010 modern 292 #15,018
2011 modern 292 #14,863
2012 modern 290 #14,838
2013 modern 294 #14,961
2014 modern 297 #14,943
2015 modern 282 #15,417
2016 modern 270 #15,913

Geography

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Where Bolas' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors, Edgmond (Edgmond), Chetwynd, Cheswardine, Hinstock, Shiffnal, Blackburn and Lilleshall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire and Cannock Chase. 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 Wellington, Wrockwardine, Eyton-on-the-Moors, Preston-on-the-Moors Shropshire
2 Edgmond (Edgmond), Chetwynd, Cheswardine, Hinstock Shropshire
3 Shiffnal Shropshire
4 Blackburn Lancashire
5 Lilleshall Shropshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 001 Shropshire
2 Cannock Chase 012 Cannock Chase
3 Cannock Chase 007 Cannock Chase
4 Cannock Chase 008 Cannock Chase
5 Cannock Chase 011 Cannock Chase

Forenames

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First names often paired with Bolas

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Bolas

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Bolas surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Bolas 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Bolas 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

Bolas is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bolas falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bolas is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bolas, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bolas

The surname BOLAS has its origins in Spain. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "bola," which means a ball or sphere. The name likely emerged in the medieval period, possibly referring to someone who made or worked with balls or spheres.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the BOLAS surname can be traced back to the 13th century. In a manuscript from the Archives of the Kingdom of Aragon, a certain Pedro BOLAS was mentioned as a resident of the town of Calatayud in the year 1262.

In the 15th century, the BOLAS name appeared in several historical records from the region of Castile, specifically in the town of Medina del Campo. A notable figure was Juan BOLAS, a merchant who traded in textiles and was involved in the famous Fairs of Medina del Campo, which were important commercial events in medieval Spain.

During the 16th century, the BOLAS surname spread to other parts of Spain, including the Basque Country. In a document from the town of Bilbao, dated 1537, a certain Martín BOLAS was recorded as a shipwright, indicating the name's association with maritime activities in the region.

One of the most prominent individuals with the BOLAS surname was Diego BOLAS (1573-1638), a Spanish painter from Seville who was known for his religious works and portraits. His paintings can be found in several churches and museums across Andalusia.

In the 17th century, the BOLAS name also appears in records from the Spanish colonies in the Americas. For instance, a Pedro BOLAS was listed as a settler in the city of Cartagena de Indias (present-day Colombia) in 1629.

Another notable figure was Gaspar BOLAS (1670-1742), a Spanish military officer who served in the War of the Spanish Succession and was awarded the title of Marquis of San Pedro for his service to the Crown.

As the BOLAS surname spread across Spain and its territories, it underwent various spelling variations, such as BOLA, BOLAS, and BOLES, reflecting regional linguistic differences and the evolution of the Spanish language over time.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Bolas families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bolas surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Shropshire leads with 76 Bolas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.43x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 76 52.43x
Middlesex 15 0.89x
Denbighshire 14 22.09x
Lancashire 12 0.60x
Cheshire 11 2.97x
Worcestershire 11 5.02x
Staffordshire 10 1.77x
Surrey 5 0.61x
Warwickshire 5 1.18x
Derbyshire 4 1.52x
Devon 4 1.15x
Bedfordshire 1 1.15x
Dorset 1 0.91x
Flintshire 1 2.22x
Kent 1 0.17x
Montgomeryshire 1 2.60x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Shifnal in Shropshire leads with 20 Bolas' recorded in 1881 and an index of 507.61x.

Place Total Index
Shifnal 20 507.61x
Edgmond 12 750.00x
Lilleshall 10 450.45x
Chirk 9 720.00x
Wombridge 8 446.93x
Wrockwardine 8 250.78x
Chelsea London 7 13.84x
Wellington 7 85.89x
Blackburn 5 9.44x
Camberwell 5 4.67x
Harborne 5 27.55x
Hartlebury 5 384.62x
Birmingham 4 2.84x
Clowne 4 384.62x
Cotton 4 1052.63x
Esclusham Below 4 677.97x
Oswestry Town 4 86.21x
Pennycross 4 1379.31x
St George In East London 4 25.35x
Whitchurch 4 142.35x
Chiswick 3 32.72x
Tenbury 3 250.00x
Wheelock 3 652.17x
Chetwynd 2 425.53x
Monks Coppenhall 2 14.31x
West Kirby 2 312.50x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 2 60.61x
Wolverley 2 104.17x
Ashton On Mersey 1 52.36x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 2.30x
Aston 1 0.86x
Berriew 1 94.34x
Burslem 1 6.17x
Cheetham 1 6.73x
Deptford St Paul 1 2.27x
Gresford Marford 1 555.56x
Heaton 1 119.05x
Lindridge 1 181.82x
Manchester 1 1.12x
Moston 1 50.00x
Newchurch 1 6.14x
North Meols 1 5.13x
Portland 1 16.89x
Ruabon 1 11.48x
Sale 1 22.03x
Shefford 1 161.29x
Sheriff Hales 1 172.41x
Westminster St Margaret 1 12.36x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bolas surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Sarah 11
Mary 8
Elizabeth 7
Ann 5
Harriet 5
Jane 4
Martha 4
Annie 3
Eliza 3
Emily 3
Emma 3
Lucy 3
Alice 2
Amelia 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Hannah 2
Jemima 2
Kezia 2
Agnes 1
Allice 1
Anne 1
Caroline 1
Elizth. 1
Esther 1
Fanney 1
Florence 1
Hester 1
Isabella 1
Justina 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Rebecca 1
Salena 1
Selena 1
Sophia 1
Thomas 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bolas surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 13
Thomas 11
John 9
George 8
Alfred 5
Charles 3
Henry 3
Wm. 3
Arthur 2
Isaac 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Albert 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Elijah 1
Enos 1
Fred. 1
Frederick 1
Geo. 1
Harriet 1
Isaih 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Leonard 1
Richd. 1
Wiliam 1

FAQ

Bolas surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bolas surname in 1881?

In 1881, 172 people were recorded with the Bolas surname. That placed it at #14,163 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bolas surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 270 in 2016. That gives Bolas a modern rank of #15,913.

What does the Bolas surname mean?

A Spanish surname derived from the word for "ball," suggesting possible ancestral connections to sports, games, or a spherical trade or craft.

What does the Bolas map show?

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